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 economic development programs that will become globally recognized as hubs of expertise, innovation and commercialization. The Bellingham project is the only "marine industry" zone in the state, which will make the city a center for innovative marine businesses and new jobs.
Preliminary Bellingham partners are:
• The Port of Bellingham, which will manage the zone program, including marketing, site development and property management.
• Western Washington University will provide research for zone projects and comprehensive education of students (the College of Sciences and Technology, Huxley College of the Environment and College of Business and Economics are major university programs that are exploring partnership opportunities with private industry in the zone).
• Bellingham Technical College will offer education on trades and workforce training programs.
• All American Marine Inc., a Bellingham boat builder that develops advanced technology, and its research team, is the private sector partner.
This project includes converting a portion of the existing five-acre tissue warehouse to use for research and collaboration between business and educational institutions. The initial project encompasses about 10,000 square feet. The entire warehouse will become a Marine Trades Center.
Click here for more information about the Innovation Zone.
