Message from the Chair

Spring Activities in Full Swing

Ski to Sea is in full swing with behind the scenes preparations and swiftly arriving applications. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the marathon race, which showcases the variety of recreational opportunities available in Whatcom County.

The Ski to Sea Schedule:

Golf Tournament – May 9th at Shuksan Golf Course

Carnival – May 16-25 at Bellis Fair Mall

Junior Parade – May 16th through Downtown Bellingham

Junior Race – May 17th at Lake Padden

Junior Sail Regatta – May 17 & 18, Bellingham Bay

Used Book Sale – May 22-24 at the Bellingham Public Library

Art Show – May 22-25 at Bloedel-Donovan Park

Grand Parade – May 24th through Downtown Bellingham

The “Grand Daddy” Ski to Sea Race – May 25th beginning at Mt Baker and finishing at Marine Park. Also on race day is It All Ends In Fairhaven, of course, in Fairhaven, and the Antique Auto Show in Boulevard Park.

Committees, Staff, Volunteers and Sponsors Making it Happen

As always, providing valuable member services and community events remain key elements of the Chamber’s focus. Beyond the annual springtime activities of Ski to Sea, there are numerous other programs happening at the Chamber all year round.

Chamber Programs

Teams of volunteers participate under the leadership of the staff to carry out the work on a wide variety of services and projects. The most active of these include:

Sports and Events

Ski to Sea – as shown above, a highly coordinated and well-orchestrated series of community events for the whole family.

4th of July – another tradition for Bellingham that is in the planning stage.

Sock Hop – with the “First Annual Sock Hop” being a success last fall, the Ambassador’s are gearing up for another fall evening of fun, food and dancing.

Membership and Member Services

Ambassadors – a dedicated and active group of volunteers with energy and commitment to the success of local businesses and our community. This group of Chamber members goes above and beyond the call of duty to be available when called to support Chamber membership and assist with Chamber activities. Some of the places you’ll see Chamber Ambassadors includes:

Networking Breakfasts – a robust early morning gathering on the second Friday of each month where businesses can meet and greet in a lively and friendly atmosphere.

Business After Business – get to know fellow entrepreneurs on site at their business location. This is another opportunity to visit with business owners and community members while enjoying some refreshment and learning something new about the local community.

Ribbon Cuttings – a simple but effective tool to advertise the opening of your new business.

Retail – a coordinated group of retail businesses looking to enhance the effectiveness of marketing efforts for Bellingham’s retail sector.

Small Business Council – experts with knowledge in business finance, strategies and solutions who are working to enhance the tools available from the Business Service Center and bring in pertinent educational seminars.

Public Affairs/Governmental Relations

Legislative Phone Calls – an invaluable opportunity to speak directly with our legislators while in session.

Public Outreach and Regional Issues – encompassing the numerous issues and programs the Chamber has been and will continue to be a part of throughout the region that impacts our local businesses.

Sponsors

In addition to all the hours put in by the staff and volunteers, a huge THANK YOU goes to the numerous sponsors who provide funding and “in-kind” donated support for all of these events and activities.

Internal Operations Committees

While the outward activities engage the community, there is also much work involved in the internal workings of the Chamber. Just as above, several committees made up of numerous volunteers work with staff to keep an eye on current business aspects and future direction of the Chamber. These groups and some of their tasks include:

Goals/Governance – coordinating an organizational development and strategic planning process.

Finance – developing a cash flow reporting system that includes detailed information based on cost centers and time allocations.

Bylaws – review and update of our Bylaws,

Other working committees include: Commercial/Building Lease, Human Resources, and Foundation Review.

Looking To The Future

As with any business or organization, there is an ongoing need to look toward the future. The Board is currently reviewing the roles and responsibilities of both itself and the organization while the search for a new leader is pursued.

With this process, we encourage comments and suggestions – and even more importantly, participation. The committed focus of the Chamber will remain strong, dedicated and unwavering in its support of local businesses, which in turn, fuels the vitality of the whole community.

Networking events scheduled in May

Network event draws a crowd

The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce networking event is being held at Northwood Hall on Friday May 9th. The networking event is a great way to meet other business people in the community. It includes networking, breakfast and a chance to win wonderful prizes all for just $11. Reservations are required by calling 734-1330 or emailing the Chamber at chamber@ bellingham.com. Chamber members and their guests are invited to attend. Non-members can attend each event once prior to joining the Chamber. The Meeting is from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

 

Business after business at - The Inn at Mt. Baker

Business after Business is a monthly event for Chamber Members and guests. The Business after Business is generally held the third Thursday of every month from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Refreshments, networking, tours, prizes and a nice time are always a part of the event. This month the Business after Business is on Thursday, May 15th at the Inn at Mt. Baker. We had a marvelous time our last visit to this beautiful location. Owner Carol McDonald knows how to throw a party. Car pooling arrangements are being made with American Car and Truck Rental. Check with them at (360) 647-8888.

 

Stay in touch with the I-5 Construction Project this summer

The Interstate 5 pavement rehabilitation project through downtown Bellingham will be getting underway very soon. If you are interested in receiving regular updates about this project, you will need to be on the informal project information mailing list. The goal here at the Washington State Department of Transportation is to provide the Whatcom County community and those of you who have a special interest in this project with up to date information.

Once construction begins, weekly construction updates will be provided to this mailing list. If necessary, daily updates will go out. If you need or want this information, send an e-mail message to TerpeniD@WSDOT.WA.GOV (Dustin Terpening), so you can get on this mailing list. Also, if you know of other people who should be included on this list, please send Dustin an e-mail message so we can add them.

Construction is scheduled to begin before the end of April. Traffic will be affected in three phases:

* From the end of April through the end of June, traffic will be impacted by nighttime lane closures.

* Beginning in July, I-5 will be reduced to one lane in both directions 24 hours a day on weekdays through and the end of August.

* Nighttime lane closures will resume in September until the project is complete.

Throughout the duration of this project, you will be able to find information concerning the project on our Web site (www.WSDOT.WA.GOV) as well as on our variable message signs along the freeway. We will give you more specific information about construction schedules as it becomes available.

Here are some additional contacts for information:

Mark Russell, Project Engineer, (360) 788-7403 (Bellingham)

Dustin Terpening, Public Information Officer, (360) 757-5997 (Burlington)

Bob Jones, Public Information Officer, (206) 440-4473 (Seattle)

Jay Nelson, Project Inspector, (360) 788-7431 (Bellingham)

 

March flows with important meetings and seminars

March was a very busy month for the Chamber and many of our members. A significant number of activities worthy of a recap took place. Lets take a moment and look them over.

The Washington Latino Business Association held their first open and very public meeting at the Squalicum Boat House on Monday, March 10th. This very aggressive, and going somewhere organization filled the room with supporters, members and new members alike. This is a great addition to Whatcom County’s business profile, and an organization that will work alongside of the Chamber in the future to provide access to resources and empower people to be successful. Well done, and welcome to this community.

The Whatcom Council of Chambers of Commerce met for the first time this year on March 11th at Homestead in Lynden. This meeting gathered the Chambers from around the County for an in depth discussion of business, transportation, member benefits, small business health insurance, a survey of business in the County, and much more. This cooperative effort has great potential both for the individual chambers as well as their combined memberships. The Council is an outgrowth of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber’s Small Business Council, and a valuable tool for effective business discussions into the future.

The benefits of being a NAFTA Distressed Community were discussed in a series of meetings with representatives from the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Program, and the National Development Bank from Los Angeles on Monday, March 17th. These representatives met with members of our local agriculture business community, with a group of commercial loan offices, and with a series of local elected officials. Their presentation was directed at the resources that are available, and how and where local private and public entities can gain access to the information. The NAFTA Distressed declaration has many opportunities that need to be fully explored. Special thanks to the Port of Bellingham for their sponsorship of the day’s activities.

The Federal Reserve Bank brought their main travel team to town on March 27th for a presentation on their role and responsibilities. The event was sponsored by Whidbey Island Bank, Banner Bank, and Horizon Bank, and attended by over 85 participants. The Fed brought representatives from San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Portland who presented a super regional overview for the economy and its potentials. Hart Hodges, the Director of WWU’s Center for Business and Economic Research, followed their presentation. Hart presented a summary of a study that Western has just completed looking at economic, business, and employment factors in this marketplace. The reports were concise, very informative, and opened up a real look into our local economy and economic future.

Washington State’s Office of Trade and Economic Development International Trade Division brought their international team from around the world to Bellingham on March 28th. The group represented international trade experts from OTED’s Seattle Office and their offices in China, Taiwan, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan, and Korea. These representatives live in country, and offer businesses in Washington a significant resource for their business success. The group met individually all day long with over 28 local businesspeople that trade in the international market. They also presented to the Port’s Partnership for a Sustainable Economy group, and to over 35 interested businesses during a luncheon program. We offer a special thanks to the Bank of America, and the Port of Bellingham for their sponsorship of this very important program. Quite simply, the world came to Whatcom County to see what we have to offer.

The Chamber would like to offer its special thanks to our sponsors: the Port of Bellingham, Whidbey Island Bank, Banner Bank, Horizon Bank, and the Bank of America. These businesses and organizations provided the resources to bring this and other information to our own back yard. Quite simply, none of these local events would happen without this type of direct support. Thank you all.

 

The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber received this letter. We would like to share it with you.

April 14, 2003

Bellingham/Whatcom County Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Dear Fellow Chamber Members,

There has been a great deal of debate on the war in Iraq both in the United States and in Canada. As a Chamber of Commerce Board we cannot pre-suppose the opinions of our members on this matter or comment on the decision of the Canadian Government. We can however express our disappointment concerning unsuitable and unfortunate comments made by some of our elected officials. We do not share or condone those views, and we believe it most inappropriate to make offensive comments about any leader, nation or people.

Canadians from all walks of life value their personal friendships with Americans, and the deep friendship between our two countries. Canada and the United States have a long and substantial history of cooperation in border management, trade issues and the free flow of goods and services. The United States of America is our closest ally and largest trading partner, and there is no other country in the world closer to Canada in terms of culture, family relationships and future.

As the voice of business in our community, we call upon both business and government to demonstrate leadership in addressing the challenges that Canada and the United States face today. Our thoughts go out to the men and women fighting for the cause and their families. We hope for a speedy end to the conflict, success at fulfilling their mandate and safe return home. As neighbors and friends, we must continue to work together to build a stable, prosperous and secure North America for all.

Sincerely,

T. Graeme Davies, President Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce British Columbia, Canada

 

Chamber Membership Grows

The following businesses, individuals and organizations became members of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce in March:

 

Bellingham Golf & Country Club
Robert Shelton, GM
3729 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 733-3450
Private golf & country club.

CKM Mediation & Arbitration
Ron Morgan
2104 Dellesta Dr.
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 738-9155
Mediation & arbitration of legal disputes.

Coldwell Banker Miller-Arnason/BELLINGHAMWOW.COM
Ken Harrison, Agent
3610 Meridian
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 734-3420
Real estate services in Whatcom County.

Ferrotek Corporation
Klaus Klix, President
7135 Delta Line Rd.
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 366-7444
Metal fabricating company specializing in structural & misc. metal fabrication.

FiberCloud
Fred Miller, Sales Mgr.
851 Coho Way Ste: 302
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 527-2000
Professional, clean, well-managed co-location facilities with high-speed Internet access. Emphasizing personal, local service.

Jack DeCook/Washington Mutual
Loan Officer
225 36th St.
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 734-5108
#1 home loan lender in Whatcom County.

Oreck Floor Care Center
Cathy Luther, Owner
3908 Meridian
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 733-0899
Floor care: Vacuums, polishers, cleaning supplies. Open 7 days a week.

Remax/Nelly Smith
913 Lakeway Dr.
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 224-7177
Certified luxury homes specialist catering to the affluent homeowners in America.

Servpro of Bellingham
Jeri & Dean Bates, Owners
PO Box 28695
Bellingham, WA 98228
(360) 733-1800
Professional cleaning & disaster restoration.

Y2 Marketing
Robert Reynolds, Owner
Patrice Reynolds, Representative
1020 E. Illinois St.
Bellingham, WA 98225
(425) 836-8514
Marketing, consulting and fulfillment services.

Yary Photography
Radley Muller, Owner
19 Prospect St.
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-9279
Photography focused on families, children, weddings & team and individual sports.

 

RENEWING MEMBERS FOR MARCH

Alzheimer Society of Washington
Asset Advisors, LLC
Bank NorthWest
Bellingham Farmers Market Association
Best Rooter Service
Biemold Livestock, Inc
Canyon Industries
David Evans & Associates, Inc
Earth Craft Painting
Ebright Wight, Inc
Ehlers Farm
Fairhaven Runners, Inc
Georgia Pacific West, Inc
Henderson Books
John L. Scott/L. Kaplan
Merrill Gardens at Cordata
Muljat Group/ Pete Coy
Muljat Group/Young & Rinker
Northwest Energy Systems of Washington
Our House Publishing, LLC
Richey’s Auto Body & Collision, Inc
River Oak Properties, Inc
Royal Valet Cleaners
SAS Brokerage, Inc
SeaKamp Engr, Inc
Shawmanee Charters, LLC
Stromberg, Anda & Saur, CPA Firm
Textype
Total Tech
Visual Results
Washatka Group
Washroom Wizard!
Whatcom Humane Society
Whatcom Transportation Authority
Whidbey Telephone Co.
Windermere Real Estate/Jon Soine