Impacts & Successes

Board, Bylaws (reviewed annually), & Budget formed, quarterly Board Meetings, and Annual Meeting

Seven maritime sectors represented with 140+ maritime company members

501 c-6 federal tax-exempt status

Active Committees (Exec Cmte, Government Relations, Membership, Development) with wide representation

Positive working relationship with Port of Bellingham

Liaisons in City and County Councils

Studies in cooperation with Port, Whatcom Commercial Fishermen’s Association, and WWU's Center for Business & Economic Development

Attending County, City and Port public meetings to advocate for economic vitality and diversity.

Working with community members, leaders, businesses and individuals to remain up to date on issues.

Quarterly newsletter, “On the Waterfront”, and bi-weekly ‘Waterfront Wednesdays’ produced and distributed

Helped organize stakeholder and Port meetings for Blaine Industrial area clean up and repairs.

Facilitate member concerns getting to Port, City and County commission and council members.

Organize events, learning sessions and other opportunities for community to network.

Advocated to, and work with Port in enacting a 10% lease reduction for qualifying maritime companies on Port-owned land.

Advocated for Port to purchase 'C' street site and land to preserve marine trades from non-water-reliant development.

Advocated for Port to develop the ASB site plans for future marine trades businesses.

Produced a Voter's Guide informing Whatcom voters of the Port of Bellingham Commissioner Candidate responses to questions critical to the future of Whatcom's Working Waterfronts

Working with Port, installed 7 Interpretive Signs along Squalicum Harbor

Established 3 scholarships at Bellingham Technical College in Marine Trades career programs

Helped to establish Dockside Market - a direct-to-consumer seafood selling market connecting local fishing families to our community

Worked to develop a Marine Service Technician Apprenticeship Program with several stakeholders to address member needs for skilled workforce development.