Through a competitive application process the Port of Bellingham was designated by Governor Chris Gregoire as one of the state’s first Innovation Partnership Zones. These geographic areas were created to promote and develop the state’s regional economies.  The state’s goal is to create unique geographic areas around the state that will become globally recognized as hubs of expertise, innovation and commercialization. The boundaries of the Waterfront Innovation Zone include 200 acres of Bellingham waterfront. 

Goals

• Increase the concentration of leading edge and diversified marine and related industries on the waterfront. 
• Integrate and coordinate community resources to stimulate the growth of technology-dependent business. 
• Enhance the ability of Western Washington University College of Sciences and Technology to carry out research and development projects in partnership with regional technology-driven industries. 
• Develop on-site training through Bellingham Technical College to craft a workforce for the future.
• Attract federal research grants and contracts to enhance WWU's applied research capacity. 
• Target small- to medium-sized businesses utilizing state-of-the-art technologies to improve their processes and products