The Port has released an economic development strategy for Point Roberts, a roadmap designed to address the community’s unique challenges, including geographic isolation, a shortage of skilled labor, inadequate infrastructure, and restrictive zoning.
Point Roberts is reachable from the mainland U.S. only after crossing two international borders, making the five square mile peninsula one of America’s most isolated rural enclaves. Highly regarded as a safe place with stunning natural beauty, Point Roberts is popular among retirees, families, and artists.
Point Roberts has long depended on Canadian visitors to sustain the local economy. However, recent political and economic disruptions, including U.S tariff policies and border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighted the community’s vulnerability to an overreliance on Canadian tourism.
The Port secured a planning grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce Community Economic Revitalization Board to hire a professional consulting firm to work with Point Roberts residents, business owners and regional partners to develop strategies to diversify the economy, attract new investment, and activate underutilized assets.
“The Port’s mission is to support sustainable economic development throughout Whatcom County,” said Port Economic Development Director Tyler Schroeder. “This study highlights opportunities to overcome the unique challenges in Point Roberts and build a more resilient local economy.”
Highlights of the strategy include:
- Point Roberts Marina: Point Roberts is centrally located within world-renowned cruising waters. The public acquisition and revitalization of Point Roberts Marina would support marine trades, tourism, commercial and residential development, and increased connectivity to the U.S. mainland.
- Broadband Infrastructure: Expanding and improving broadband infrastructure would support business development and remote work opportunities.
- Sewer System Improvements: The septic-only wastewater system limits commercial and residential development opportunities. Developing a centralized sewer system would increase housing options and support economic growth.
- Resilience Hub: Establishing a formal Resilience Hub would take advantage of the strong feeling of civic pride expressed by community members to serve as an incubator for small business while supporting workforce development.
- Economic and Environmental Sustainability: A range of potential initiatives were identified to capitalize on natural assets and distinctive community character, including cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, RV park infrastructure, art spaces, the Salish Sea House, Lighthouse Marine Park, eco-tourism/heath tourism, and the cross-promotion of businesses.
Port staff will present the Economic Development Strategy to the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee on October 16 at 7 p.m. at the Point Roberts Community Center, 1437 Gulf Road with virtual attendance available over Zoom.
The Port’s next step will be to work with the residents of Point Roberts to determine economic development priorities and with Whatcom County, Western Washington University and other stakeholders to find funding and put short, medium and long-range plans into action.
For more information about the Port’s economic development efforts, visit www.portofbellingham.com/154/Economic-Development