Success Stories
Winner of the Governor's 2011 Best Practices Award!
Workforce and economic development practitioners in Whatcom County have been selected to receive a Governor's 2011 Best Practices Award. Each year Governor Gregoire recognizes programs and projects that create additional jobs and economic activity throughout the state while at the same time helping Washington workers get the training they need to land a job and earn a living-wage. This year the public-private pre-screening, pre-training partnership in Bellingham that helped grow aerospace exports at aerospace supplier Heath Tecna, was selected as a winner. The partnership has resulted in over 400 workers hired!
Program Summary
Program Results
Exciting Export Activities in Washington State
Last year, Governor Gregoire announced a state export initiative to open additional export opportunities for Washington businesses. By 2015, the initiative aims to increase by 30 percent the number of Washington companies exporting and help 5,000 businesses achieve $600 million in new export sales through direct assistance from the Washington Departments of Commerce and Agriculture.
If you would like more information on exporting, visit the Dept of Commerce exporting website or, if you want to hear what business owners say, watch their videos by clicking on the following hyperlinks.
-Wood Stone Ovens
-State of Washington: A Culture of Exporting
-Janicki Industries
-Stemilt Growers
-Swype
A Model For Success with Heath Tecna - Aircraft Interior Solutions
Workforce Investment dollars along with community partnerships created a targeted training program that helped Heath Tecna to hire 400 people and bring $40 million in new export business to Whatcom County. Read More...
NWEC Makes Loan to Local Dairy Farmer for Business Expansion
We recently made a loan from our Revolving Loan Fund to the Lynden-based dairy farm Twin Brook Creamery. Twin Brook Creamery is known for providing rich and healthy dairy products. The milk and cream they produce comes from their own Jersey cows, raised on their Lynden farm. This loan is for the purchase of equipment that will enable them to expand their business and provide their high-quality products to additional markets. Read More...
NWEC Awarded $99,000 USDA Grant for Innovation Resource Center
The Northwest Economic Council (NWEC) has been awarded $99,000 by the US Department of Agriculture to promote the success of innovative startup businesses in WhatcomCounty. The NWEC focus is on creating a more robust and growth oriented economic environment through its Innovation Resource Center (IRC). “This is a long awaited and significant first step in growing and nurturing early stage and startup companies in our community” stated Bruce MacCormack, Council Chairman. Read More...
NWEC Helps to Accelerate New Aerospace Jobs in Bellingham
During the Council's recent site visit to Heath Tecna, a local company manufacturing aircraft interiors, we learned that the company was planning to hire 80 new employees, but was having difficulty finding job-ready workers to hire. To address this workforce need, NWEC partnered with the WA State Department of Commerce to bring together the NW Workforce Council, Bellingham Technical College, and Impact Washington in order to develop a pre-employment training program. A Federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Grant was approved by Governor Gregoire’s office to fund the program. Training began on May 25, 2010 and Heath Tecna anticipates having their 80 new employees on the job by mid October. Read More...
Whatcom County Receives $35,000 to Further Develop the NWEC's IRC
The Northwest Economic Council is currently working with several regional partners to create the Innovation Resource Center (IRC). The IRC is a business support process that speeds up the successful development of companies by providing entrepreneurs with an array of targeted resources and services such as business mentoring and coaching. On January 21st Whatcom County was approved for $35,000 of WA State CERB funding to further develop the NWEC's Innovation Resource Center. Read More...
Broadband Project Moving Forward in the Mt. Baker Foothills
The WA-RBC Project is an extremely high bandwidth initiative that will deliver high-speed internet access to the Mt. Baker Foothills and other areas of Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties. The Northwest Economic Council (NWEC) has been actively supporting this project over the last few years. An important activity that NWEC completed in 2007 was facilitating a study on Internet and cell phone coverage in the Mt. Baker Foothills area, which has helped to further the progress made on this vital infrastructure project. Check out the WA-RBC Website!
Northwest Economic Council Assists Thrive Community Fitness in Securing a $128,000 Loan- August 2009
After contacting NWEC, Thrive Community Fitness, located in Ferndale, was put in touch with Shorebank Enterprise Cascadia where they were able to secure a $128,000 loan providing them with the permanent working capital necessary to retain 24 jobs for the people of Ferndale.
Thrive Community Fitness Retains 24 Jobs!
Forbes Ranks Washington 2nd Best State for Business- 2009
The article below discusses some economic conditions and the business climate within Washington State. It highlights the reasons why Washington was chosen as the 2nd best state for business by Forbes in 2009.
Forbes Ranks Washington 2nd Best State for Business
Stork Craft Moves US Headquarters from Las Vegas to Bellingham- August 2009
Just about one year after opening its distribution center here in Bellingham, Stork Craft has relocated its U.S. headquarters to the Port of Bellingham's Bellwether Building. Northwest Economic Council, along with our partners, were very involved with Stork Craft when they made the decision to open a distribution center here last year. This move will bring approximately 10 new administrative jobs to Bellingham.
Stork Craft Moves US Headquarters to Bellingham
Viva Pharmaceutical's New Manufacturing Facility in Blaine- July 2009
Viva Pharmaceutical, British Columbia’s largest GMP-Certified pharmaceutical and natural health food products manufacturer, announced ground breaking for their 200,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Blaine. Initially, this facility will provide 150 jobs, with an expectation of many more in the future. NWEC first met with the Ko family, owners and founders of the company, over a year ago with the Port of Bellingham to provide resources and contacts that were instrumental for their success. See the press release below for additional details.
Viva Pharmaceuticals New Manufacturing Facility in Blaine, WA
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