Small City Partnership

The Small City Partnership is a long-standing initiative supporting local government leaders in fostering healthy, diversified economies within Whatcom County.
Launched in 2000 by the Port of Bellingham, the program began as a collaboration with individual small cities and has since grown to include all six smaller municipalities
in the county. The Partnership focuses on both economic development and quality of life, offering resources and funding to support job-creating projects.

The Partnership works with local jurisdictions to guide public investment through coordinated planning, develop long-term strategies for economic growth, and conduct
and share in-depth economic research

In recent years, the Partnership has expanded its efforts in coordination with the Small City Caucus, maintaining a strong rural outreach while focusing more directly on the needs of Whatcom County’s smaller cities.

Small City Economic Development Fund

In 2004, the Port of Bellingham established the Small City Economic Development Fund, a matching grant program to assist incorporated small cities in planning and
implementing economic development projects. These planning grants help cities assess project feasibility and leverage additional funding sources for infrastructure and
other job-creating investments.

Each year, cities submit project proposals to the Port. These are reviewed and prioritized by the Partnership, with final funding decisions made by the Port Commission.

Program Impact (2004–2016):
Port Contribution: $662,210
City Matching Funds: $1,076,617
Additional Capital Raised: Over $42 million
Result: Significant infrastructure improvements and increased private investment across Whatcom County’s small cities