Key Commitments
Accommodate 22,641 new jobs by 2036; employment capacity of ~27,300 jobs in City and UGA; 820 acres of vacant employment lands available (2013 LCA)
Goals
(5 total)
- GOAL ED-1: Build and maintain a positive and competitive business-friendly climate that will retain, grow and attract high-quality businesses.
- GOAL ED-2: Accommodate a broad mix of employment opportunities, while actively seeking a greater proportion of living wage jobs that will benefit a broad cross-section of Bellingham residents.
- GOAL ED-3: Maintain an adequate supply of developable employment lands and supporting infrastructure to accommodate forecasted growth.
- GOAL ED-4: Foster vibrant urban villages.
- GOAL ED-5: Continue to invest in the quality of life attributes that provide the City with a competitive advantage in terms of economic development.
Stronger Policy Language (20 policies)
- Policy ED-1: Periodically review and assess the impacts of the City's regulatory structure, taxes, fees and utility rates on Bellingham's economic development goals and make adjustments as appropriate.
- Policy ED-5: Continue the City's Performance Measures program as a means of monitoring progress toward achieving the economic development and other goals in the Comprehensive Plan.
- Policy ED-24: Periodically assess the adequacy of the supply of vacant and redevelopable employment lands in Bellingham and the UGA, especially land zoned for industry.
- Policy ED-31: Continue to provide adequate and efficient community infrastructure such as roads, water, sewer, stormwater management and other public facilities and services.
Aspirational / Monitoring Language (29 policies)
- Policy ED-9: Aid the efforts of business associations to promote economic activities and tourism.
- Policy ED-22: Working with the Port of Bellingham, Whatcom County and others, explore and pursue opportunities to solicit/attract new investment from businesses outside the Bellingham area.
- Policy ED-23: Encourage an environment supportive of entrepreneurial activities and explore methods to encourage low-impact enterprises and emerging business models.
- Policy ED-47: Explore options and partnerships to allow continued recreational use of the Galbraith Mountain trails.
- Policy ED-51: Encourage locally-based food production, distribution and choice through the support of community gardens, farmers markets, and other small-scale initiatives.