2025 is fast upon us and the Port hard at work on more than 200 capital projects to promote sustainable economic development, optimize transportation gateways and manage publicly owned land to benefit Whatcom County.
Over the past two years, the Port has secured nearly $80 million in state and federal grants and our team is busy hiring local contractors and making investments to create family-wage jobs for our community. Grant dollars are very important for local economic development projects because the Port’s primary funding source is a 1.7% property tax assessment which gets divided among county-wide public priorities like economic development, parks and open space, infrastructure preservation and cleaning up historic contamination. Overall, taxes make up just about 12% of the Port’s revenue each year so grants really make a difference in helping address Whatcom County’s widespread economic development needs.
The Port’s largest ongoing capital project is a multi-year effort to modernize the Bellingham Shipping Terminal. The Shipping Terminal has historically been one of our community’s largest family-wage job creators and its importance to the regional economy cannot be understated. Last month, a dredging project removed legacy contamination in front of the terminal which restored some of the traditional navigation depth and allowed a new class of vessel to arrive for the first time in many years. When this ship pulled up to the dock, it put local ILWU longshoremen, ship agents, security personnel, cleaning professionals and other people to work. Many improvements are still needed to fully reactivate the Shipping Terminal, but the future is bright.
The Port’s next largest capital project is the removal of historic contamination from the I&J Waterway, one of a dozen cleanup sites in Bellingham Bay. This cleanup project is protecting marine life, safeguarding public health, and rebuilding marine infrastructure in support of our vibrant working waterfront. The Port is excited to see two more large Bellingham Bay clean-up sites start construction later this year which will set the stage for the City of Bellingham to build Salish Landing, the City’s largest waterfront park. Returning contaminated properties to productive use has been a priority for many years, and the Port continues to work closely with the Department of Ecology, the City of Bellingham and other agencies to address the legacy of historic contamination in Bellingham Bay and Blaine Harbor.
In addition to large infrastructure projects, the Port promotes sustainable economic development by recruiting new businesses and connecting large and small businesses with economic development services and skilled workforce resources. Business recruitment efforts are challenged by a lack of industrial lands, and the Port is examining what infrastructure investments are needed and where rezoning can support pad-ready sites so industries with family-wage jobs can choose Whatcom County instead of other communities. All American Marine provides an example of a successful local boat builder which outgrew their industrial property in Fairhaven and was planning leave Whatcom County and the state until the Port identified a suitable location on Bellingham’s downtown waterfront for a new manufacturing facility. All American continues to grow its workforce of more than 75 people and recently built the world’s first commercial hydrogen fuel cell passenger ferry.
The Port is a county-wide government and our small cities have unique economic development challenges. The Port recently secured a grant to study the housing and workforce needs in Point Roberts and identify strategies for infrastructure investment and business development. Broadband has become essential economic development infrastructure and the Port continues to secure grants and support projects to extend broadband into Point Roberts and other underserved areas of Whatcom County.
Bellingham International Airport (BLI) is a county-wide resource and the Port was pleased to see Alaska Airlines add a fourth daily flight from Bellingham to Seattle this month. While the airline industry remains challenged by a shortage of pilots and planes, the Port put into place a new airline incentive package to support recruitment efforts and is working hard to add new flights and new destinations.
Several large, federally funded capital projects are scheduled at BLI which will provide significant job opportunities for local contractors and position the airport for long-term success. This year the Port will start construction on the first phase of improvements necessary to allow commercial flights to Mexico. In the coming years, BLI is scheduled for a $30+ million runway repaving project and a $100+ million Airport Traffic Control Tower replacement.
Starting today through Saturday marks the return of Fire & Story to Bellingham’s downtown waterfront. This can’t miss event will include hand-crafted fire pits, illuminations on the Digester Tanks, a sauna grove, local musicians, poets, storytellers, comedians, glassblowers, metal forging and more. Making the downtown waterfront a year-round destination is a priority for the Port.
2025 is shaping up to be the best year ever on Bellingham’s downtown waterfront. The Port and Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition are working on a fun zone for younger bike riders, and a much larger restroom has arrived next to the Digester Tanks and will be ready for the summer season. When you visit the waterfront, make sure to check out new public access to the water next to the Acid Ball. The Port is pleased to offer temporary access in front of the new Granary Avenue condominiums until the City of Bellingham completes a permanent extension of Waypoint Park.
With over 200 Port capital projects to strengthen our economy, protect our environment and improve our community, the best way to stay informed is by subscribing to one of our social media channels or watching Commission meetings on You Tube. The Commission holds open public meetings each month and always appreciates hearing from community members.