COVID-19 Economic Impact & Resources

REP releases report on economic impacts of COVID-19 on local fishing industry

REP has released a report detailing the results of three fishing surveys regarding the economic impacts of COVID-19 on Whatcom County and Lummi Nation fishing industry. The survey was developed by the REP in coordination with the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County.

The full report can be viewed here.

REP, Mount Baker Foundation, United Way, and Opportunity Council issue childcare survey

With partners at the Opportunity Council, the Mount Baker Foundation, and United Way of Whatcom County, we have developed a survey to gauge the need for early childhood education programs and childcare as a result of the re-opening of the economy. The survey is open to anyone in Whatcom County that may require childcare or early education services: https://forms.gle/CN5XpTurBEUG1BpG7

Details for completing this survey:
• Participation in this survey is voluntary and anonymous (i.e. this survey does not require you to share your business name, license numbers, or other identifying information)
• Please feel free to choose Does not apply or Prefer not to say to questions that do not apply or that you are not comfortable answering

We will never share your individual responses in reports. Our final report will provide aggregated data only. However, we are a public agency and we are subject to Public Records Act (RCW Chapter 42.56) and our records may, therefore, be subject to public disclosure.

Whatcom County moves into Phase 2 of Re-opening

On Thursday, June 4, 2020 Whatcom County was approved to move into Phase 2 of re-opening. The Stay Home Stay Healthy order remains in place.

Phase 2 allows these activities, according to the Whatcom Health Department:

• Social gatherings — inside or outside — with no more than five people from outside your household.
• More manufacturing and construction, domestic services, retail stores, real estate. services, professional services, nail salons and barbers, with some restrictions.
• Restaurants can open at 50% capacity but without bar seating.

Practices that must continue in Phase 2, according to the Health Department:

• Stay 6 feet away from non-household members while you are outside.
• Cover your face when you are in public, especially indoors.
• Wash your hands frequently, and use hand sanitizer. 
• Limit your social interactions with people who don’t live with you. Keep a list of those with whom you’ve been in contact. This reduces the risk of infection and helps our contact investigators more easily trace cases and close contacts. 
• Know the risks of gathering with people who do not live in your household.

According to the Health Department, Whatcom County will need to wait a minimum of three weeks before we are eligible to apply for Phase 3. There’s a chance we will need to turn the dial back to Phase 1 restrictions if we have an increase in cases. 

It’s up to all of us to maintain our healthy habits to move on to the next phase. 

REP and WHD issue Joint Framework on Re-Opening Whatcom County’s Economy

With the highest goal always being public safety and health, Whatcom County Health Department and the Regional Economic Partnership at the Port of Bellingham intend to work side-by-side to ensure a safe, healthy re-opening of our local economy. The WHD and REP have issued a Joint Framework that includes details on the process and timeline for re-opening, which can be read here. The appendix can be found here..

REP releases report on the general survey regarding economic impacts of COVID-19

REP has released a report detailing the results of a general survey on the economic impacts of COVID-19 on Whatcom County businesses. The survey was developed by the REP in coordination with Whatcom Unified Command, the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center.

The full report can be viewed here.

Commercial Fishing Surveys

A summary report is in process, anticipated release mid-June 2020.