Port staff recently attended the 51st Pacific Marine Expo, the West Coast’s largest commercial fishing and marine industry trades show, to network with the regional marine trades sector and market Port facilities.
“Whatcom County has a thriving working waterfront” said Port Real Estate Representative Brady Scott. “The Pacific Marine Expo is a terrific opportunity to showcase the Port of Bellingham’s diverse marine services support network and answer questions from people interested in taking advantage of the discounted rates we offer to marine trades businesses and commercial fishermen.”
The Port developed a brochure for the Expo detailing the strong marine trades support services available in Whatcom County.
“Whatcom County is a great place for the maritime industry to do business” said Scott. “The Port of Bellingham has a proven track record for helping working waterfront businesses grow and be successful.”
According to a report recently published by the Center for Economic and Business Research at Western Washington University, 6,033 jobs are created or supported by the marine trades representing 7% of Whatcom County’s total workforce. The Working Waterfront Coalition and Whatcom Commercial Fisherman’s Association sponsored the economic impact analysis and played a key role in volunteer data-gathering.
Marine trades industries operating on Port property generate over $122 million in direct income and provide over $18 million in taxes each year.