From rope, to solar panels, to breakfast cookies, Whatcom County produces about $3 billion worth of diverse goods and services that are shipped and sold around the world. From finding the right facility and equipment, to accessing raw materials and trained workers—Whatcom County offers the resources and guidance you need to successfully and sustainably grow your manufacturing business.
Ideally located midway between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC, Whatcom County is a gateway to Washington’s booming export economy. With railway access, an international airport, and quick access to I-5, Whatcom County’s ideal location can help your locally-made goods reach a global market. In fact, $14.8 billion worth of exports pass through Whatcom County’s five ports of entry every year. Contact the Port of Bellingham to learn more about manufacturing in Whatcom County.
While Whatcom County is considered rural, just 20 minutes north is the Lower British Columbia, Canada, home to more than 2.5 million people, making it and ideal location to export your product to the Canadian market or import products for manufacturing. Our border crossing has minimal wait times, a streamlined process, and skilled brokers and accountants who manage all your cross-border transactions, Whatcom County is highly equipped to bring your product across the border.
To our south is the Greater Seattle metropolitan area, which is home to over 4 million people.
One of the biggest benefits to manufacturing in Whatcom County is the easy access to machinery, equipment, and raw materials. From timber, to heavy machinery, to rock and gravel quarries—much of what you need can be found within, or nearby, our county. We are also home to many equipment suppliers and repairmen who can help maintain and operate machinery of all kinds.
Washington State provides a number of exemptions and credits toward sales taxes and B&O taxes, many of which specifically apply to manufacturing activities and renewable energy. Whatcom County also offers a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) program that reduces operating costs—for businesses who exports and imports, as well as Industrial Revenue Bonds that can help finance your company. Contact the Port of Bellingham to learn more.
Whatcom County has a variety of regions zoned for light manufacturing and heavy industry. Bellingham, Blaine, Lynden, Ferndale, and Sumas have substantial industrially-zoned properties. Depending on your needs we have a variety of affordable real estate to offer whether you are looking to move to an existing building or to purchase land to develop. The Cherry Point Heavy Industrial Area is just one area, located west of Ferndale, that has more than 7,000 gross acres of land. If you’re a Canadian manufacturer, our real estate is significantly more affordable than the British Columbia market, allowing you to tap into the US and Canadian market—without breaking the bank. Search available business real estate now.
Finding a skilled manufacturing workforce can be challenging. In Whatcom County we have several higher education institutions that provide quality manufacturing training programs. Bellingham Technical College offers a variety of programs specifically designed for manufacturing; these include welding technology, manufacturing engineering technology, precision machining, industrial maintenance and mechatronics, and many others. Western Washington University also offers programs in manufacturing engineering, industrial design, plastics and composites, electrical engineering and more, while Whatcom Community College provides programs in business administration, financing, accounting, and others.
For recruiting help, reach out to the Northwest Workforce Council—a free resource that connects you with local talent.
