The Port has purchased about six acres, including six buildings with approximately 71,000 square feet of office and industrial space, to support the continued growth of Whatcom County’s industries. The Port’s new industrial complex is located at 742 Marine Drive and is less than one mile from Port-owned land and buildings near Squalicum Harbor.
“Whatcom County’s industries are thriving and there is strong demand for Port-owned land and industrial space” said Port Commission President Michael Shepard. “The Port’s new industrial complex provides another strategic asset to support the growth of our economy and create good paying jobs for our community.”
The Port purchased the industrial land and buildings from Fiber Glass Systems, L.P. which will relocate its professional office staff to a Port-owned building at Bellwether on the Bay.
Industrial land and buildings are in high demand in Whatcom County. In January, the Port celebrated the grand opening of Corvus Energy’s marine battery factory in Fairhaven in what was one of the Port’s last remaining vacant industrial buildings. The Norwegian-based company chose Whatcom County to expand into the US market and meet the growing demand for hybrid and zero-emission vessels due to the presence of a strong maritime cluster, the availability of manufacturing space, the state’s focus on green shipping, and close proximity to another Corvus Energy facility in British Columbia.
Port land and infrastructure are vital assets to Whatcom County’s economy and create and support thousands of jobs.
“Expanding industrial areas is a priority for the Port” said Port Executive Director Rob Fix. “There are significant opportunities for growth and the acquisition of a new industrial complex better positions the Port to support our existing tenants and recruit new employers to Whatcom County.”
The six industrial buildings and office space purchased by the Port at 742 Marine Drive were constructed between 1925 and 2008. There are 2-ton to 4-ton hoists and 240 v/3 phase and 480 V/3 phase power. The property is close to Squalicum Harbor, Interstate 5 and only 2.4 miles from Bellingham International Airport.
Throughout Whatcom County, the Port owns approximately 1.4 million square feet of office, commercial and industrial building space and has contracts with 250 industrial and commercial tenants which provide thousands of jobs for the community.