‘Promote a Healthy and Dynamic Waterfront Economy'--Waterfront Futures Group 
Bellingham's industrial waterfront employed several generations of workers before the natural resource-based economy collapsed. The demise of Bellingham's waterfront economy caused many people to lose their jobs and the City to lose a sizeable portion of its tax base. Promoting a healthy and dynamic waterfront economy is one of the four overarching principles provided by the Waterfront Futures Group to guide progress toward achieving a successful waterfront. The Port and City are investing heavily in The Waterfront District to rebuild the waterfront economy, restore the local tax base, and provide important family-wage jobs to the next generation of Whatcom County workers.
Community Economic Impact
The economic impacts of this project on the area economy are significant. Western Washington University's Center for Economic and Business Research estimates that for every million dollars in construction costs...
Finances and Economics
The Port and the City estimate that they will make an investment in 2006 dollars of more than $335 million over 20 years. The Port and City have explored sources for those funds that primarily depend on revenues generated from...
Innovation Zone
The Waterfront District has been chosen as one of 11 state Innovation Partnership Zones, and was one of just five to receive $1 million to jump-start development activities. The goal of each zone is to create lab-to-market...
Marina Jobs
Jobs...Jobs...Jobs. Whatcom County has something for just about everyone except for good jobs. Whatcom County residents know good jobs are in short supply and high demand. The new downtown marina will...
Local Infrastructure Financing Tool (LIFT)
Local Infrastructure Financing Tool (LIFT) is a new form of tax increment financing used to pay for a portion of the public improvements within The Waterfront District in order to promote economic development. Under LIFT, the City will...
