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INSIDE EVERY ISSUE: POLICY | FINANCE | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | TECHNOLOGY

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

Anchoring the economy How Whatcom County’s shoreline drives $1.6 billion in business

PLUS Bellingham mayor uses executive order to boost downtown development Small batch, sustainably sourced seafood is the catch at Barlean’s Fishery How will local candidates engage with Whatcom’s business community?

“ As a patient and as a business, you

don’t want to feel like just a number. Washington Trust gives us the time and attention we need to be successful.” — Lawrence E. Holland, M.D. OPA Ortho, Seattle, WA

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Your local business news brought to you by WHATCOM BUSINESS ALLIANCE

VOL. 51 | NO. 5 PULSE EDITOR/PUBLISHER AND WBA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Barbara Chase CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Matt Benoit Tamara Loucks Mary Louise Van Dyke

LOCAL. BIGGER. BETTER. Home to the 76th largest equipment rental and sales fleet in the USA!

INDUSTRIAL

CONSTRUCTION

HOME IMPROVEMENT

GUEST COLUMNISTS Lynette Brower Nicole Burdick Levi Carlisle Dann Mead Smith Todd Myers Ben Tindall COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Tara Gilligan Reimer PHOTOGRAPHY Sattva Photo COPY EDITOR Matthew Anderson Bellingham PR & Communications

DESIGN Tuxedo Enterprises, Inc. WBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD CHAIR: Josh Wright, Partner, Acrisure EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Jon Ensch, Regional Commercial Director, Peoples Bank; John Huntley, President/CEO, Mills Electric Inc.; Doug Thomas, Senior Advisor, Lineage; Josh Turrell, Partner, Larson Gross PLLC BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Kevin Bedlington, Senior Vice President, Washington Trust Bank; Jane Carten, President, Saturna Capital; Bryant Engebretson, Managing Principal, Tradewinds Capital; Mitch Faber, Partner, Faber Fairchild McCurdy LLP; Sandy Keathley, Former Owner, K & K Industries; Tamera Lienhart, Government Affairs Manager, bp Cherry Point Refinery; Sarah Rothenbuhler, Owner/CEO, Birch Equipment; Billy VanZanten, COO, Western Refinery Services; Tony Larson, WBA Founder Emeritus For editorial comments and suggestions, write info@ whatcombusinessalliance.com. The magazine is published bimonthly by the Whatcom Business Alliance at 1225 Roeder Ave., Ste. 108, Bellingham, WA. 360.746.0418. Yearly subscription rate is $30 (US). For digital subscription, visit businesspulse.com/subscribe or call 360.746.0418. Entire contents copyrighted ©2026 Business Pulse. All rights reserved. E&OE POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Business Pulse, 1225 Roeder Ave., Ste. 108, Bellingham, WA 98226

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM • 3

IN THIS ISSUE

An official publication of Whatcom Business Alliance • September-October 2026

FEATURES

COVER STORY

20 Personally Speaking: Shawn Ottenbreit on how Freedom Boat Club offers boating adventure without ownership hassle

Working waterfront: Protecting the shoreline that powers Whatcom County’s economy and connects its communities PLUS: A sampling of businesses on the waterfront. Page 16

24 Status of downtown Bellingham: hope amid business closures

Cover photo by Sattva Photo — Morgan Kaye, Graham Wallace, Chad Deroux, Micaiah Copenbarger, Patrick Schjelderup and Kaiden Pope.

COLUMNS 6

Up Front With election season in full swing, know who supports our local businesses

Finance Are you getting full financial planning from your adviser?

Farming Washington farming needs solutions now

Workforce development Building northwest Washington’s future workforce

Government How will local candidates engage with Whatcom’s business community?

Technology/ artificial intelligence What it takes to hand off your first workflow and trust what comes back

Policy Don’t blame AI: Why electricity rates are rising in Washington

Local cannabis

28 industry in flux

Barlean’s Fishery sells sustainably sourced small-batch seafood

4 • BUSINESSPULSE.COM | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026

ALSO INSIDE 8

Newsmakers

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UP FRONT

With election season in full swing, it is important to know who supports our local businesses

Barbara Chase is the editor of Business Pulse magazine and executive director of the Whatcom Business Alliance.

hatcom County truly is a special place to live and work. From the stunning views of Mount Baker to the peaceful waters of the Salish Sea, our community is surrounded by natural beauty. We are also home to some of the best companies to work for in the region, according to a recent survey published by the Puget Sound Business Journal. Congratulations to Birch Equipment, Exxel Pacific, Heritage Bank, Columbia Hospitality, Davis Law Group and Washington Trust Bank — some of the great local businesses celebrated in Washington’s 100 Best Workplaces of 2026! We take pride in where we live and work, but we also have serious issues that need attention. The recent comprehensive plan amendments (mandated by the Washington State Growth Management Act) challenged our local government to consider projected population growth through 2045 while supporting economic growth, agricultural lands and quality of life. The opportunity to amend the road map for growth in our county arises only once every 10 years, and the process was painstaking, to say the least. After reviewing the voluminous proposed amendments, coalitions formed, made up of local businesses and community groups, forced to defend common-sense policies like increasing housing supply, allocating sufficient land for economic development and job creation, protecting existing industrial lands, providing clarity, consistency, and predictability for permitting and regulatory processes, expanding opportunities for living-wage jobs and — believe it or not — defending property rights. Months of coalition

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“The next hurdle for our community is the Whatcom County Critical Areas Ordinance. Our local government should believe in the transformational impact of economic growth. It is the only solution that delivers sustainable results.” meetings and appearances at council meetings resulted in a vote to approve the mediocre amendments. The next hurdle for our community is the Whatcom County Critical Areas Ordinance. Our local government should believe in the transformational impact of economic growth. It is the only solution that delivers sustainable results. The Port of Bellingham prepared an Industrial Lands Study connected to the GMA and Comprehensive Plan and determined that, with 15,095 acres of industrially zoned land, much of it is limited by development constraints, with only 2,431 acres of realistic development potential. We need shovel-ready

BP land in order to attract manufacturing, food processing, maritime businesses, energy production, wood product suppliers and other related industries to our region. These companies also need access to truck and rail corridors, I-5 interchanges and properties with adequate utilities to remain competitive. Importantly, Washington state currently ranks 45th in the nation, according to a study conducted by Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy. Recently, Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund signed an executive order in an effort to expand economic opportunity in Bellingham and support business and entrepreneurship. A new business concierge will assist businesses in navigating the process, and the order includes a seven-year business and occupation tax exemption for the downtown core to encourage business growth, with plans to support the waterfront district. Matt Benoit highlights the downtown scene and digs into the details of the mayor’s resuscitation plan. Preserving our working waterfront is critical to our region’s economic success — dive in and read about local waterfront businesses and tourism in “Working waterfront” by Tamara Loucks. Barlean’s Fishery has expanded into Bellingham! Mary Louise Van Dyke fishes for details in our business spotlight with co-owners Mark Riedesel and April Dayton. To experience all the fun without the hassle, Freedom Boat Club shores up a plan to get you out on the water in our Personally Speaking feature. Washington lost more than 3,700 farms between 2017 and 2022. Ben Tindall, executive director of Save Family

UP FRONT

Farming, asks for leaders to move beyond words and into action.

WE WILL SEE YOU HERE! LEADERS OF INDUSTRY ISSUES FORUM Thursday, Oct. 15 | 3-6 p.m. | Hotel Bellwether An in-depth look at the policies set to influence your business and our economy in 2026 and the years ahead. As economic conditions and regulations continue to shift, understanding the issues that matter most is vital for today’s business leaders. Hear from local and state experts as they break down the key local, state, and national developments shaping the future of business in Whatcom County

ECONOMIC FORECAST BREAKFAST Wednesday, Dec. 2 | Bellingham Golf and Country Club Hear what’s in store for 2027! Expert economists will present and discuss the economic predictions for the upcoming year.

Curious about creating opportunities for students to build meaningful futures right here in northwest Washington? Lynette Brower discusses the local Whatcom Skills Center and how it will expand opportunities in maritime, hospitality and tourism, healthcare, early childhood education, skilled trades and other high-demand industries. Plug into our Technology section to read about the rise of agentic artificial intelligence and consider the benefits of connecting with the right financial adviser for your needs in our Finance section. We can’t continue to support what isn’t working and expect to obtain better results. Dann Mead Smith interviews candidates for the 40th and 42nd districts, covers the race for Whatcom County prosecutor, senator and port commissioner seats in our Government section, starting on page 39. I encourage you to read this issue cover to cover and hope you enjoy this information-rich Pulse. On behalf of the team here at Business Pulse, thank you to all of our advertisers and sponsors for making this and every issue possible. We could not do this without your ongoing support. Don’t forget to vote early, and enjoy the last days of our beautiful summer season!

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM • 7

NEWSMAKERS

All American Marine delivers new vessel Bellingham’s All American Marine has delivered El Escudo, a 108-foot parallel hybrid passenger vessel, to Harbor Breeze Cruises in Los Angeles and Long Beach, California. Purpose-built for zero-emissions harbor operation, El Escudo is the first U.S. Coast Guard subchapter K multipurpose monohull of its type in the country — combining fully electric zero-emissions propulsion with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tier 4 diesel capability and capacity for up to 350 passengers. This is AAM’s third vessel for Harbor Breeze Cruises. All American Marine is a pioneer in zero-emissions solutions in the maritime industry and is committed to building the most technologically advanced vessels in the market and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the water. AAM’s portfolio of proven builds consists of high-speed passenger ferries, hybrid vessels, zero-emissions vessels, dinner cruise boats, patrol vessels and research vessels, serving all aspects of the commercial vessel industry.

More homes sell, albeit more slowly, in Whatcom County RESIDENTIAL Whatcom County home sales continued on the same paths in the second quarter ending June 30, according to a local real estate report. The countywide median sales price in the second quarter was $640,500,

just 1% higher than the previous year, according to 10-year broker Peter Ahn of NextHome Northwest Living in Bellingham. The number of home sales also changed little, rising 3.1% to 706. The biggest change from 2025 was that it took an average of 46 days, more than six weeks, to Peter Ahn sell a home in Whatcom County. Even Bellingham, which has seen a faster-paced market than the rest of the county, experienced a sharp rise in days on the market to 40 days.

However, Martin added that the environment for commercial real estate sales is more challenging. “Elevated interest rates have continued to limit transaction volume as buyers and sellers adjust to higher financing costs and a more disciplined lending environment,” he said. “While commercial property values have generally stabilized over the past year, investment activity remains below historical norms as market participants wait for greater certainty in the capital markets.”

Ahn prepared the report based on data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. COMMERCIAL LEASING AND SALES The commercial real estate market in Bellingham continues to be defined by stable leasing activity despite ongoing uncertainty in the investment sales market, according to a quarterly report issued by Ryan A. Martin, co-owner and broker at Pacific Continental Realty.

Ryan A. Martin

“Overall, leasing activity remained healthy throughout the second quarter,” Martin said. “Retail vacancy was essentially unchanged, industrial vacancy continued to tighten to historically low levels, and the office market experienced a modest increase in available space.”

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Courtesy

Exxel Pacific completes 98-unit mixed-use condo project Exxel Pacific Inc., a general contractor based in Bellingham, has completed construction on the Madrona Condos, a mixed-use condominium project near Western Washington University. The project — developed by The RJ Group and designed by RMC Architects, both Bellingham-based companies — also includes commercial space. Milbrandt Architects, based in Kirkland, is listed as the architect of record. The project began in November 2024 and was completed in June 2026.

SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL

RMC Architects celebrates 40 years of design excellence By Julie Flattery RMC Architects in Bellingham is celebrating a notable milestone this year — its 40th anniversary. The 19-person office has built a solid foundation and continued success by maintaining a diverse portfolio of project types, including civic and cultural, commercial, healthcare, master planning, residential and sacred spaces. The firm’s ethos is that architecture should reflect the values, culture and diversity of its surroundings, and as such, the firm views itself as community architects first and foremost. Its work spans the region, and if you stroll through Bellingham, you’ll find RMC projects in almost every area of town. RMC began as Ross & McClure in 1986, when founding principals Bob Ross and Jeff McClure decided to hang out a shingle and combine forces. The timing was excellent, as Bellingham was poised for growth. Within two years, the firm expanded to a building on Commercial Street. In 1989, the first employee, Pete Sutherland, was hired; he has been with the firm for 37 years. The longevity of most RMC employees speaks volumes of the firm’s culture. In 1994, Brad Cornwell began working at RMC; he became a principal in 1998. The firm rebranded as Ross McClure Cornwell and, soon after, began construction on a mixed-use commercial/ retail/residential building downtown that would become the new home for its growing office. The building, MARKETplace, was completed in 2003 and literally filled a void on one of the neighborhood’s primary arterials. The previous building was lost during a fire, leaving a gaping hole that impacted the city center’s vitality. MARKETplace was a major player in the revitalization of downtown Bellingham and is still RMC’s headquarters. Over the next several decades, RMC’s projects filled other voids in Whatcom County. The historic Waples Mercantile building in Lynden was transformed into a boutique hotel and

Jason Koski MARKETplace retail destination after a devastating fire in 2008. Squalicum Boathouse provided much-needed space for meetings, weddings and public gatherings at the waterfront. And popular Taylor Dock created a pedestrian and bike path that connects downtown Bellingham with Fairhaven. Neil McCarthy, who began working at RMC in 2005, became a principal in 2012. During the fourth decade, the robust transformation of the region could be tracked through many of RMC’s projects. Samish Commons transformed the dilapidated Aloha Motel site with a new, mixed-use project that has won both local and national awards. Bellingham Public Schools’ mass timber administrative building invites the community to gather and offers staff a fully flexible work environment. Phases one and two of the Pacific Street Operations Center houses the Bellingham Public Works and Parks and Recreation departments under one roof. Jason Williard, Lexie Costic, and Robert Wright became principals during this decade; McCarthy retired in 2025; and this year, McClure became principal emeritus. Looking ahead at its caliber of projects and new leadership, RMC is well-positioned for the future. The firm aspires to become experts in alternative delivery methods, such as design-build or general contractor/construction manager and is currently working on the Whatcom County Justice Center, a progressive design-build project. The Justice Center is the largest project the county has undertaken. It consists of a new county jail and behavioral care center, and the expansion of services for behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, and supportive housing using trauma-informed design principles. From left, Samish Commons, Pacific Street Operations Center Phase Two and Bellingham Public Schools administration offices.

Benjamin Benschneider

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM • 9

FEATURE

WORKING WATERFRONT Protecting the shoreline that powers Whatcom County’s economy and connects its communities

| Story by Tamara Loucks; Photos by Sattva Photo

hatcom County’s extensive working waterfront, which stretches from Bellingham to Blaine, is far more than a collection of docks, boats and marine-related industrial facilities. It’s an interdependent network of businesses, public facilities, recreational users, services, workers and community assets that together help preserve the region’s maritime heritage and drive the county’s economy. ▶ ▶

“

At its core, a working waterfront is a waterfront that works for everyone.

“

Dan Tucker, Working Waterfront Coalition executive director

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM • 11

FEATURE

1.8 jobs

For every maritime job, an additional were created, for a total of 6,400 positions across the county in 2023.

Today, our working waterfront is preserved through a collaborative partnership among the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County, the Port of Bellingham, city and county governments, businesses and individuals who recognize the economic, cultural and recreational value a working waterfront offers to industry, residents and visitors. However, a mere 10 years ago, the region’s waterfronts faced significant pressure from non-water-dependent development, such as condominiums and hotels — projects that threatened to displace industries that rely on direct access and diminish opportunities for public access and community recreation along the waterfront. To ensure that this vital economic and community resource was preserved from gentrification, the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County was formally established in 2016, after several years of planning by local marine trades and commercial fishing leaders. Under the leadership of Executive Director Dan Tucker, the coalition has grown to approximately 160 members representing marine trades businesses, commercial fishing operations, freight and logistics companies, educational organizations, nonprofits and community supporters. While redevelopment pressure continues, Tucker credits dedication and collaboration among the coalition, the port, its commercial and governmental partners and the community for maintaining the vision of a working waterfront that balances industry, public access and recreation for all. ▶ ▶

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FEATURE

The Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County has grown to approximately 160 members representing marine trades businesses, commercial fishing operations, freight and logistics companies, educational organizations, nonprofits and community supporters. The Landings at Colony Wharf, owned by Rieker Sternhagen, is a member of the coalition.

WHATCOM’S ECONOMIC ENGINE A sampling of businesses on the waterfront. PAGE 16

FREEDOM BOAT CLUB How membership allows you to own the adventure, not the hassle. PAGE 20

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM • 13

FEATURE

“At its core, a working waterfront is a waterfront that works for everyone,” Tucker said. “It encompasses marine-related business, such as marinas, trades businesses, cold storage facilities, shipyards and commercial fishing, as well as recreational businesses like kayak outfitters and sailing schools, but it also includes parks, trails and public spaces that connect residents to the water. It’s a balance that maintains significant economic benefits for Whatcom County.” The economic benefits of maintaining a vibrant working waterfront are substantial, as evidenced by recent industry data. According to the 2024 report “Economic Impacts of Whatcom County’s Maritime Industry,” maritime industries and related businesses directly employed 3,600 people in 2023. An additional 2,800 indirect jobs were generated throughout the region in supporting industries, such as (but not limited to) freight and logistics, suppliers and construction. The study noted that for every maritime job, an additional 1.8 jobs were created, for a total of 6,400 positions across the county in 2023. The study also reported that the area’s working waterfront generated substantial labor income, stating that direct maritime employment produced $230 million in labor income in 2023. When the industry’s multiplier effects were accounted for — local spending by maritime businesses and workers — that total grew to roughly $416 million. Equally important, maritime careers offer strong earning potential. According to Tucker, entry-level trade positions often start at $22 to $23 an hour, with many skilled workers earning $50 to $60 an hour.

Maritime careers offer strong earning potential. Entrylevel trade positions often start at $22 to $23 an hour, with many skilled workers earning $50 to $60 an hour.

BY THE NUMBERS According to the 2024 report “Economic Impacts of Whatcom County’s Maritime Industry”:

3,600

people in 2023 were employed in maritime industries and related businesses, while an additional

2,800

indirect jobs were generated throughout the region in supporting industries.

$1.6 BILLION was generated in indirect or induced revenue in 2023 by the maritime industry.

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Maritime logistics and shipping emerged as the region’s leading maritime employment sector, with the largest share of jobs and wages associated with employment from tugboat operators, shipping companies, freight operations and the port’s maritime activities, among others. Equally significant, the maritime industry generated $1 billion in revenue in 2023. With an additional $600 million attributed to indirect or induced revenue, total revenue reached $1.6 billion that year. Another major contributor to the county’s economy is the region’s commercial fishing industry. More than 1,000 people are employed by the commercial fishing and seafood processing sector. The report also noted that more than 400 Alaska skippers and crew members resided in Whatcom County in 2023. The study also highlighted a significant contribution from recreational

FEATURE

Top to Bottom Diving & Marine Services is a member of the coalition: left to right, Morgan Kaye, Graham Wallace, Chad Deroux, Micaiah Copenbarger, Patrick Schjelderup and Kaiden Pope.

boating, which generated $17 million in spending throughout the county in purchases from local businesses, including fuel and equipment, boat repairs and sport fishing licenses. Because maritime trades rely on hands-on skills, Tucker believes that preserving industrial waterfront space will be essential for future economic resilience as technology and artificial intelligence reshape the outlook for many professions. He shared that a significant number of people looking to leave tech and other jobs for AI-proof careers attended the coalition’s latest job fair. He explained

an influx of new workers could help ease a critical workforce shortage in the marine trades, where growth is restrained due to a lack of skilled workers. To help ease the shortage — driven in part by the retirement of veteran tradespeople who traditionally mentored and trained newcomers — the coalition’s sister organization, the Working Waterfront Foundation, established innovative pre-apprentice and apprenticeship programs to train the next generation of marine professionals. These efforts will help ensure the long-term vitality of the industry and its continued contribution to Whatcom County’s economy.

“While the study showed that working waterfronts provide jobs, opportunity and significant economic value,” Tucker said, “they also foster a strong sense of community connection and are worth preserving for future generations.” Few assets are as vital to Whatcom County’s economy and its quality of life. By preserving working waterfronts today, we are safeguarding thousands of jobs, strengthening economic and recreational opportunities and ensuring that the waterfront continues to help power the county’s future. n

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM • 15

FEATURE

WHATCOM’S ECONOMIC ENGINE

A sampling of businesses on the waterfront

| By Tamara Loucks

hatcom County’s working waterfront offers a diverse set of businesses, public properties and services that help maintain its economic vitality. The following is in no way an exhaustive list but rather a small representation of the organizations that help drive Whatcom’s economic engine.

MARINE TRADE BUSINESSES Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Bellingham: A vital gateway for passenger travel, tourism and commerce, it accommodates cruise ships, passenger ferries and maritime operations that bring visitors, jobs and business opportunities to the region. Bellingham Sails & Repair, Bellingham: Specializes in sail fabrication, repair, modification and maintenance to help sustain recreational and commercial sailing vessel operation throughout the Pacific Northwest.

All American Marine, Bellingham: AAM, one of the area’s cornerstone commercial marine manufacturers, designs and builds custom aluminum passenger ferries, research vessels, tour boats and hybrid-electric vessels used worldwide.

Courtesy

16 • BUSINESSPULSE.COM | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026

FEATURE

The Landings at Colony Wharf, Bellingham: A full-service boatyard and marine service facility that provides services to both commercial and recreational vessels, including vessel hauling, storage, maintenance, repairs and access to a network of specialized marine contractors.

Boundary Fish, Blaine: Serves the Pacific Northwest seafood industry as a processor, wholesaler and exporter, supplying customers around the world with the region’s Dungeness crab, Pacific salmon, halibut, black cod and dogfish. Cherry Point Industrial Area, Ferndale: Includes several refineries key to fuel production, commerce and transportation networks through deep-water export terminals. Includes companies such as BP, the largest oil refinery in the Pacific Northwest; Phillips 66, a major producer of transportation fuels, including marine bunker fuel; and AltaGas/ALA Energy, which exports liquefied natural gas, a bridge technology for commercial shipping and part of the journey toward more carbon-neutral fuel sources. Drayton Harbor Oysters, Blaine: A family-owned oyster farm and seafood restaurant that cultivates, harvests and serves Pacific oysters grown in the clean waters of Drayton Harbor, showcasing the connection between local aquaculture and the community. Harbor Marine Fuel, Bellingham: A full-service marine fuel dock that provides fuel and related services essential to commercial fishing ves-

Sattva Photo sels, charter operators, workboats and recreational boaters. Lineage Logistics (formerly Bellingham Cold Storage), Bellingham: Provides both logistics services and cold storage for food producers and shippers in Washington and for over 75 years has been an anchor part of the working waterfront. LFS Marine & Outdoor, Bellingham: A supplier of commercial fishing gear, marine equipment, boating supplies, safety products, outdoor apparel and repair parts serving commercial fishermen, vessel operators and maritime businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

Lister Chain & Forge, Blaine: A historic American manufacturer of marine anchor chain, buoy mooring chain, anchors and specialized marine fittings serving the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, shipyards and commercial marine operators worldwide. Port of Bellingham, Whatcom County: A public port district that owns and operates critical transportation, maritime, aviation and industrial facilities throughout Whatcom County, including Squalicum Harbor, Blaine Harbor, the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, the Bellingham Shipping Terminal and numerous marine industrial properties. ▶ ▶

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM • 17

FEATURE

RECREATIONAL EVENTS & BUSINESSES

Samson Rope Technologies, Ferndale: One of the largest manufacturers of high-performance rope and line in the world, manufactured to meet performance standards specific to a variety of industries, including recreational marine, tug, commercial fishing and mooring. Sundance Yacht Sales, Blaine: A full-service yacht dealership, brokerage, marina, service center and boat storage provider that attracts and serves recreational boaters throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Courtesy Bellingham SeaFeast, Bellingham This year marks the event’s 10-year anniversary celebrating Pacific Northwest seafood and the area’s maritime heritage and coastal culture. Join the 2026 celebration on Sept. 26 and 27.

The Portal Container Village (Trackside), Bellingham

Sattva Photo

Developed by the Port of Bellingham and located by the waterfront near Waypoint Park, this family- and pet-friendly seasonal hub features local food, retail shops, family activities and public events.

San Juan Cruises, Bellingham Tour operator that offers whale watching excursions, San Juan Islands cruises, dinner cruises, wildlife tours, private charters and passenger experiences that showcase the beauty of the Salish Sea.

18 • BUSINESSPULSE.COM | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026

Courtesy

Top to Bottom Diving & Marine Services, Bellingham: A full-service marine maintenance and repair company that provides underwater dive services, vessel repairs, haul-out support, detailing and ongoing boat maintenance for recreational vessels. n

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PERSONALLY SPEAKING

SHAWN OTTENBREIT

How membership in the Freedom Boat Club allows you to own the adventure, not the hassle

Sattva Photo Shawn Ottenbreit said he loves offering an opportunity for people to experience the joy, relaxation and adventure offered by life on the water. | By Tamara Loucks

or those who dream about spending time fishing or cruising our scenic local waterways but are deterred by the costs, maintenance and required expertise associated with owning and operating a boat, membership in the Freedom Boat Club of the San Juan Islands offers an appealing alternative. According

20 • BUSINESSPULSE.COM | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026

to owner Shawn Ottenbreit, membership costs approximately one-quarter to one-third of the actual cost to maintain a comparable boat from the club’s fleet when you factor in expenses related to purchase/loan payments, moorage, insurance and upkeep. Ottenbreit and his wife, Tracy, purchased the franchise rights for the Freedom Boat Club of the San Juan Islands in 2019. Referred to as the “home port,” the local club en-

BP compasses two locations — one at Squalicum Harbor Marina in Bellingham and the other at Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes. Ottenbreit explained that while the purchase of the club was a natural extension of their boat dealership, Salish Boat Company, what they love about being a Freedom Boat Club franchisee is offering another opportunity (beyond the dealership) for people to experience the joy, relaxation and adventure offered by life on the water.

ABOUT FREEDOM BOAT CLUB Bellingham Harbor: 1801 Roeder Ave. Anacortes Harbor: 1019 Q Ave, Ste. I Membership executive: (360) 797-9887, sanjuanislands@ freedomboatclub.com

What is the primary mission of the club, and what are the key benefits of membership? To fill a gap in the market between rentals and ownership for people who want regular, affordable access to the water in a club-type setting, without the hassle and cost of boat ownership. We offer concierge-level service — our team performs all maintenance, cleaning, repairs and storage, and we load and unload the members’ belongings. Going boating is as simple as booking your reservation online or through our app, packing your personal belongings and showing up to the dock. Our members also have the option of reserving a boat at reciprocal locations throughout the United States, as well as in Puerto Rico, Canada, Europe and Australia. Member safety is important, so we offer free training, from online training and educational seminars to one-on-one, in-person, on-the-water training with licensed U.S. Coast Guard captains. We also host a variety of social events for members to mix and mingle with others who share their passion for the water.

PERSONALLY SPEAKING

Reservations: (360) 680-3068 ext.1, sji.reservations@ freedomboatclub.com Info: freedomboatclub. com

Sattva Photo

What is the membership pricing, and is there an initial joining fee? We have two plans available to meet members’ boating needs and budget. The Weekday Boating Plan limits reservations to Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays, which is more affordable for retirees, those on fixed incomes or folks with flexible schedules. Our most popular plan, The Freedom Boating Plan, offers reservations seven days a week. Both plans offer reciprocal access to other locations. Members can upgrade either plan to Extended Fleet, which offers larger-sized vessels for extended cruising. Monthly dues

range from $329 to $699. We also charge a one-time entry fee, which ranges from $4,900 to $8,900.

Is the membership process simply a matter of completing an application to get the keys to a boat, or is there more to it? There are five steps to membership. Because safety on the water is key, once the agreement is completed, a link is sent to register for a new-member orientation training, which covers essential boating knowledge and skills, such as rules of the road, handling conditions, emergency procedures, engine ▶ ▶

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM • 21

PERSONALLY SPEAKING

operations and basic boat handling. Training includes both online training modules and on-the-water training. Upon successful completion of the training, members receive their Washington State Boater Education Card and National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators certification, which are required before they can pilot a vessel.

What are the sizes and types of vessels available in your home port’s fleet? We have 18 total boats, eight located in Bellingham at the Squalicum Harbor Marina and 10 located at the Cap

Sante Marina in Anacortes. Our fleet includes popular brands like Mercury, Thunderjet, Bayliner, Trophy, Defiance and Zodiac and is comprised of fiberglass and aluminum fishing vessels, cruisers and rigid inflatables from 20 to 27 feet.

Why did you choose to locate your franchise home port out of Squalicum Harbor Marina and Cap Sante Marina? Generally, members want to be within a 45-minute drive of the clubs they use most often. The area provides access to the Salish Sea, with over 41 marine state parks, endless wildlife

22 • BUSINESSPULSE.COM | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026

and fishing and cruising destinations that can take a lifetime to explore.

What has brought you the most joy from ownership of the Freedom Boat Club of the San Juan Islands? I love the water. It’s my happy place. Being able to share this passion with our members is immensely satisfying. Between Washington state and British Columbia, Canada, we have 18 locations and approximately 180 boats. Members do around 30,000plus trips per year in the Salish Sea and Columbia River. That is a lot of people with whom we share our passion every year. n

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FEATURE

Closures, hope highlight state of downtown Bellingham Several longtime downtown small businesses have announced closures in recent months, but mayor’s executive order looks to stimulate development

Courtesy Darby Galligan is the new urban transformation strategist within the mayor’s office.

| By Matt Benoit

n June 15, the downtown Bellingham community was hit with a bit of bad news and good news.

The same day that Rock & Rye Oyster House announced its upcoming closure after 12 years of business, Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund announced an executive order to bolster economic opportunity and local businesses in the city. But in the interim, more longtime downtown businesses have announced closures, including Avellino Coffeehouse, the Mount Bakery’s Champion Street location and, pending a sale, Temple Bar. It leaves many wondering: What does the future of downtown Bellingham hold?

Addressing pain points Guy Occhiogrosso, president of the Bellingham Region-

24 • BUSINESSPULSE.COM | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026

al Chamber of Commerce, calls downtown the city’s vibrancy and cultural center. This story is part of an ongoing series on the status of downtowns in Whatcom County.

And recently, he’s heard the same thing from various downtown businesses: It’s becoming increasingly difficult to stay viable there.

This is particularly true of restaurants, bars and entertainment/ hospitality venues, he said. The reasons are multifaceted. Economic pressures are leaving consumers with less discretionary income, and businesses are seeing increased labor costs (including the $19.13 minimum wage), rising rents and more taxes and regulations. There has also been a drop in Canadian business. “If you have a 5% decrease on your margin from each of those things, it all adds up,” Occhiogrosso said.

BP Jenny Hagemann, the Downtown Bellingham Partnership’s development and communications director, echoes those concerns. “When you look at the constant rise of labor costs, businesses are having to get really creative,” she said. “They’re putting more owner or manager hours on board, cutting shifts and/or vocalizing that labor is a major stress point in addition to the rest of their expenses.” The fluctuating cost of goods, especially for those in the food and beverage game, is leaving businesses with break-even math that is harder to predict, she says. Some restaurants are beginning to scale back weekday hours of operation. Downtown Bellingham’s current retail vacancy rate is nearing 15% in the pedestrian core, according to an April 2026 report issued by the city of Bellingham. It’s a noticeable uptick from past rates, which ranged from 5% during the second quarter of 2022 to 9.5% in the final quarter of 2024, according to data. Some spaces have sat vacant for years, although nearly half of pedestrian core vacancies are listed as market ready.

The mayor’s order The executive order issued by Lund provides several benefits that Occhiogrosso, Hagemann and DBP Executive Director Lindsey Payne Johnstone all find to be positive moves. The first is the creation of an urban transformation strategist within the mayor’s office. The position would be a “concierge-style” resource to businesses regarding city processes and incentives.

FEATURE

appears to take inspiration from something done by the city of Vancouver, Washington, several years ago. That city took pandemic-era American Rescue Plan Act funds and created a small business manager staff position to internally evaluate structures, policies and permitting in order to reduce financial barriers to economic success, she said. Bellingham and Vancouver are both members of the Main Street America organization, a national nonprofit network focused on downtown revitalizations through economic development and historic preservation. After taking a DBP field trip to Vancouver three years ago and learning about the position, Hagemann said DBP shared the insights with the city as a chance to do something similar. “We’re excited to hear more,” Hagemann said of the position’s evolution and hiring process. The second major part of Lund’s order involves a seven-year business and occupation tax exemption for new or expanding businesses entering the downtown core. The tax credit required a vote by the Bellingham City Council and received a unanimous adoption on July 27. Occhiogrosso said the tax credit is a proactive approach for local businesses not often seen in municipal government. “It gives the business community some hope,” he said. “Every little bit helps.”

Collaborative efforts Other positives in the current environment have recently come from collaborative efforts between DBP and local businesses.

Hagemann said the position

Recent pilot programs by local businesses and the Downtown Bellingham Partnership include Local Lunch Break and RAD Bites.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM • 25

FEATURE

This spring, businesses along Railroad Avenue piloted a cooperative marketing campaign called RAD Bites. The idea began last year as a ticketed event in the style of the Taste of Bellingham, with a portion of proceeds supporting a local nonprofit. More than 300 tickets were sold this past year, and more than 400 sold this year on a Sunday — a day not typically heavy for downtown foot traffic, Johnstone said. Even if people appear to be spending less money downtown, data shows foot traffic is actually trending upward. There were 8.1 million pedestrian trips to the downtown core in 2025, up more than 2% from the previous year and more than in 2019,

the last pre-pandemic year. The DBP has also marketed the Local Lunch Break, a campaign encouraging employees of downtown companies to eat out for lunch. About two dozen eateries participated in the campaign this spring, providing specials and discounts. The result was a 19% increase in average lunch revenue, Hagemann said. Another Local Lunch Break is planned for the fall. Bellingham’s World Cup watch party campaign is still processing data, but Hagemann said there’s hope the event created pickups in downtown visitation and spending. Anecdotally, the campaign appears to have

been a significant morale booster for everyone involved, especially bars and breweries, Johnstone added. Overall, Hagemann is proud of the spirit of togetherness fostered by downtown’s many small businesses amid tough times. “Being asked to come up with creative opportunities can feel like a lot for businesses with just a few employees,” she said. “But when we do it together, it builds camaraderie and collaboration, creating an atmosphere in the district that’s not just putting the sole challenge on the individual business.” n

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FINANCE

Are you getting full financial planning from your adviser?

ears ago, a retired client was referred to me by a fellow adviser who recognized that she needed more support than he was able to provide. That referral led to one of the most meaningful discoveries I have ever made in a client meeting. This story has been shared with client permission. As she spread out her documents and walked me through her work history, income sources and investments, I asked, “What about your pension?” She explained that she had cashed it out and reinvested the funds. But as I reviewed the tax form she had brought with her, something stood out. Her state employee’s retirement plan actually had two parts: an investment portion, which she had indeed transferred out, and a pension portion, which did not appear anywhere on her tax forms. I did not want to get her hopes up too soon, so we called the plan administrator together. What we discovered confirmed my suspicion — she was eligible for a pension that she had never turned on. After our call, paperwork was mailed to her, and we completed it together. Once the forms were received and processed, she not only had a new steady source of monthly income, but she also received five years’ worth of back pay in one lump sum. Here’s the important part: Her previous adviser had been hired to manage her investment account but had never entered into a full financial planning relationship. That distinction matters! Investment management generally focuses on managing the account(s) under an adviser’s care. Financial planning looks more broadly at a person’s full financial life, including income sources,

retirement benefits, taxes, insurance, estate planning, cash flow and long-term goals. My client did not realize the limits of the advisory relationship she had entered or what additional support may have been available to her.

Nicole Burdick is the author of “The Money Maven Manual” and founder of Money Maven Financial, a femalefocused financial planning firm that supports clients through major life transitions such as death and divorce, as well as charitable giving and family legacy planning. Learn more at moneymaven financial.com. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment adviser, Member FINRA/ SIPC.

If you are working with a financial adviser who is not asking questions about the other pieces of your financial life, you may want to ask what type of relationship you actually have. Is your adviser managing your investments only or providing full financial planning? Is planning included in your current fee, or is it a separate service? There is a chance you may be working with someone who focuses primarily on investment management and does not offer holistic financial planning. In that case, you may want to explore hiring a separate financial planner or working with an adviser who provides both investment management and planning. There is also the possibility that your adviser does offer these services but does not know you want or need them. In that case, it is worth asking. One more possibility is that your adviser offers holistic financial planning only for clients with a certain level of investments under their care. If you do not qualify for that level of service, you may consider finding a fee-based financial planner who can prepare a full financial plan for you without requiring you to move your investments. The takeaway is simple: Do not assume that all financial adviser relationships include the same level of advice. A good financial plan should look beyond your investment statements. It should help uncover opportunities, avoid blind spots, and make sure the different pieces of your financial life are working together. n

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM • 27

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Local cannabis industry

in flux

Adobe Stock

Prices are low for consumers, and dispensaries are reporting fairly steady sales, but local processors are struggling | By Matt Benoit

welve years ago, the first legal recreational sale of marijuana took place at a Whatcom County dispensary.

Since then, the local and statewide cannabis industry has ridden a roller coaster of fluctuating sales and regulations before, during and after a global pandemic. In general, data suggests the Washington cannabis industry is currently seeing a contraction. First-quarter cannabis sales at dispensaries are down about 4.7% ver-

28 • BUSINESSPULSE.COM | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026

sus the first quarter of 2025, according to data from the Washington State Department of Revenue. Dispensary sales totaled $1.14 billion last year, down nearly 22% from a 2021 peak. Fewer sales, of course, means less tax revenue for a state with an excise tax rate on cannabis of 37%, the nation’s highest among states that have legalized recreational pot. Washington collected $442 million in cannabis tax revenue in 2025, down nearly 21% from the peak of 2021, according to Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board data. During that same time, tax penalties from cannabis revenue rose 750%, from $0.6 million to $5.1 million.

Production issues Nick Cihlar, co-owner of Subdued Excitement Incorporated, a recreational cannabis producer and processor based in Ferndale, said his company’s track has mirrored that of the state’s overall industry. “Over the last three or four years, the industry has basically completely tanked,” he said. Subdued Excitement was among the first companies in Whatcom County to receive a cannabis production li-

cense, in 2013, and it is among the few remaining with its original ownership. Cihlar said the pandemic greatly helped sales, as government stimulus money gave stuck-at-home consumers plenty of money with which to buy cannabis. That led to an increase in cannabis production that has now oversaturated the market, at a time when inflation has increased. Many cannabis producers, Cihlar said, have gone out of business, while others are selling licenses to get out from underneath things.

“

Over the last three or four years, the industry has basically completely tanked.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

smaller cannabis companies. Cihlar said Subdued Excitement received a written warning from the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board for issuing a credit to a retailer that had rejected a single line item in an invoice due to a product defect. Instead, the two companies had to trade checks, accounting and eventually pay, when the transaction would have been a non-issue in another industry, he added. Subdued Excitement has also been hurt by shifting zoning regulations regarding county-based cannabis production. Cihlar said the company purchased agriculturally zoned property in Sumas but ultimately couldn’t grow its product despite being in an agricultural zone.

In addition to considerable tax rates, an area hamstringing the state’s cannabis Nick Cihlar, co-owner industry is the regulatory framework of Subdued Excitement originally intended to help it, Cihlar said. Incorporated These rules include a cap on the number of licenses someone can own, preventing Consumer options abound producers and retailers from having ownership interest in one another, and a prohibition on out-of-state ownDespite Cihlar’s many grievances regarding the current ership. regulatory environment for cannabis processors, the Many of these rules exist, he said, to prevent corporate consolidation and monopolization. But some state processors have been acquired by larger companies operating in multiple states or even countries, he said, adding that these companies have exploited loopholes to get around regulations. Regulatory focus on hypertechnical interpretations of standard business practices is also creating issues for

4.7% First-quarter cannabis sales at dispensaries are down about 4.7% versus the first quarter of 2025.

21% Washington collected $442 million in cannabis tax revenue in 2025, down nearly 21% from the peak of 2021.

oversaturation of product has given consumers decent pricing and bountiful options. “From top shelf to bottom shelf, all across the state, we have some of the best products available,” he said. Megan Murphy, the store “coach” (i.e. manager) of 2020 Cannabis Solutions’ Iron Street location in Bellingham, agrees. ▶ ▶

750%

Adobe Stock

Tax penalties from cannabis revenue rose 750%, from $0.6 million in 2021 to $5.1 million in 2025.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM • 29

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Recent years have brought an exponential increase in consumer brands, and many retailers now exist in a competitive online-ordering marketplace, Murphy said. Likewise, the retailer’s customer base seems as knowledgeable as ever, seeking quality products and often focusing on medicinal benefit. The customer base of the Iron Street store is roughly 60% medical users, Murphy estimated, and many are older in age.

ing federal rescheduling of cannabis under the federal Controlled Substances Act. Reclassifying marijuana from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3, Cihlar said, could make a substantial difference in tax margins for busi-

Twenty dispensaries are currently medically endorsed in Whatcom County, according to Washington State Department of Health data. Of those, 16 have issued medical cannabis cards in the most recent quarter.

Progress in banking transactions Another of the state industry’s positives comes from progress made with banking transactions. While early dispensaries and processors found themselves dealing in problematic amounts of cash-only business, state-regulated credit unions have proven to be a safe haven for cannabis companies in a world where federal banking regulations are still an issue. “The credit unions in Washington have been getting better and better,” Cihlar said. “A few months ago, we finally found one that basically treats us like any other customer. We don’t have to pay extra fees, we don’t have to pay percentage on deposits; they actually give us interest-bearing accounts and offer loans.” Looking ahead, those working in the cannabis industry are eagerly await-

30 • BUSINESSPULSE.COM | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026

nesses such as Subdued Excitement. “If that happens,” he said, “we can take proper deductions on our taxes.” n

Crab

&clams, salmon

& scallops,

mussels more

Barlean’s Fishery sells sustainably sourced small-batch seafood 32 • BUSINESSPULSE.COM | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Photos by Sattva Photo Barlean’s Fishery co-owners Mark Riedesel and April Dayton, along with employee Courtney Perry.

| By Mary Louise Van Dyke eeling a little crabby and needing to get your fill of that crustacean’s delectable claws and legs? Or possibly you’re craving fresh-caught fish that you didn’t have to spend hours pursuing, hunched over a fishing rod? Or clams or mussels that you didn’t have to dig for through thick, gloppy sand?

Barlean’s Fishery retail store offers seafood lovers a variety of live, fresh and frozen edibles at its new location at Squalicum Harbor on Bellingham’s waterfront. The retailer also features an art gallery with a variety of nautical-themed objects, from jewelry to cards and prints, cedar planks for serving dinner on, carvings and statues, all crafted by local artists. Co-owners Mark Riedesel and April Dayton are proud of the new location, which celebrated its first anniversary in July.

However, shifting store operations from the original location on Slater Road in Ferndale wasn’t easy. The process involved numerous steps related to planning and seeking permits and permissions. Transforming the building, formerly inhabited by CityMac, at 2551 Roeder Ave. in Bellingham, involved working with the Port of Bellingham. A year after opening, Dayton and Riedesel are still hearing some longtime customers say they didn’t know the company had moved to Bellingham. “To move this business down here to the harbor was a huge gamble,” Riedesel said. “Looking back, I think we would have gone ahead and waited until everything was up and done. But once you’re in and going, there’s no turning back.” He joined the business in 2013 when it was still owned by Bruce Barlean. Bruce is the founder of Barleans.com, a company that manufactures nutritional supplements. ▶▶

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM • 33

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Both businesses operated out of the same Ferndale location but were run as totally separate enterprises.

ABOUT BARLEAN’S FISHERY

Bruce’s parents, Dave and Barb Barlean, launched Barlean’s Fishery in 1972. Dave was a reefnetter fisherman off Lummi Island, and the couple initially sold a lot of their catch out of their Slater Road residence.

2551 Roeder Ave., Bellingham, (360) 671-5458, barleansfishery.com

Barlean’s Fishery holds the oldest active fishing buyer’s number in the state of Washington, according to Riedesel. “It was No. 4 at that time, and I don’t know what happened to 1, 2 and 3,” he said.

Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday

That endorsement allows the business to purchase fish or shellfish directly from commercial fishers in Washington state and to buy fish or shellfish harvested by Indian fishers, according to Revised Code of Washington 77.65.340.

the vast majority of everything needed to launch the new location. His job as co-owner and captain of Island Opportunity Charters keeps him busy, but he appreciates having the opportunity to stop by and see how things are going at the store.

The seafood industry seascape has changed since those early years due to recessions, the pandemic and fishing conditions.

Dayton joined the company 13 years ago and became co-owner when the business moved to Bellingham. She and the team of four stay busy at the retail store, which is about double the size of the 900-square-foot space occupied at the Slater Road facility, according to Riedesel.

“Somehow, we’ve figured out how to keep the business going,” Riedesel said. “When we initially looked at this building, we were looking at the retail capacities.” The partners discovered that the Squalicum Harbor location also offered space for expanding their operations. The facility includes a gated area in which several sail boats were drydocked, and continuing that venture and adding more capacity for dry dock storage would supplement their income. Riedesel credits Dayton with doing

“We’re hoping to get a commissary kitchen set up here so we can get back to offering hot seafood soups such as salmon chowder, whiskey crab soup, shrimp corn chowder and clam chowder,” Dayton said, adding the store has dips and butters currently available for sale. What makes Barlean’s Fishery unique is due in part to the small, independent fishers who help supply quality fish, shellfish and crabs. “We always put quality first, whether

34 • BUSINESSPULSE.COM | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026

it’s in our freezer or fresh in the display cases,” Dayton said. She and employee Courtney Perry keep the store’s social media updated with videos posted on Facebook. Dayton wasn’t expecting to make videos as part of her new responsibilities. “I was really leery at first, but I’m glad I went out of my comfort zone,” she said. Most of the videos involve whatever fresh-for-the-season seafood is coming in that day. A July 18 videos featured Dayton putting live crabs into the tank, and a March 31 video starts, “We’d like to apologize in advance for ruining your dinner plans tonight.” Both Dayton and Riedesel look forward to being able to smoke fish and offer more community events, including classes that teach people how to fillet fish. They also hope to offer local fishermen the opportunity to process their catch at the facility. “This building is a blessing because it allows us to do so many things,” Riedesel said. n

FARMING

Washington farming needs solutions now

Sattva Photo

ong before the 2026 legislative session ended in March, Olympia knew Washington agriculture was in crisis. However, our legislators ultimately did nothing. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Census of Agriculture found that Washington lost more than 3,700 farms between 2017 and 2022. Washington’s family farms are not simply weathering a difficult season or two. They are facing a viability crisis that threatens their very existence. We need solutions now. The problems crushing Washington farms are not mysterious, nor can they be blamed solely on global markets, federal actions, weather or other pressures beyond the state’s control. The most critical challenges farmers face are created, managed or amplified by the state. That means Washington leaders, more than anyone else, have the authority and responsibility to do something about them. Labor costs in Washington are skyrocketing.

Washington farms want to pay their workers well. They understand that farm workers are skilled, essential and deserve respect. But a labor policy that ignores the unique and seasonal realities of agriculture does not protect farm workers if it diminishes or eliminates the very income they depend on. Ben Tindall is the executive director of Save Family Farming, a statewide organization with deep roots in Whatcom County. Save Family Farming is a nonprofit communications and advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that farming in Washington is protected, treated fairly and recognized as essential to the state’s future.

Last year, one Wapato farmer reported his labor costs increased by $2 million in just two years. To avoid bankruptcy, that farm had to make painful decisions to reduce its workforce, causing many farm workers to lose their jobs. Where is the legislator who will stand up and say that farm workers and farm employers rise or fall together? High fuel costs are another problem the state has dramatically exacerbated. The state’s Climate Commitment Act requires that farm fuel be exempt from carbon surcharges. Yet many farmers have continued to be charged anyway. So, whether the solution is a workable rebate, a point-of-sale exemption or some other practical system, the fact remains: If the law ▶ ▶

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM • 35

FARMING

says agricultural fuel is exempt, it’s the state’s duty to solve the problem. Excessive and even abusive state regulation is killing farms. State agencies such as the Department of Health and the Department of Ecology have shown themselves willing to overstep state law and operate in a rogue fashion when left unchecked. Who has the boldness to hold these agencies accountable? Washington policymakers must admit the structure they’ve built is making it harder to farm here than anywhere else in the country. In 2024, Washington’s farming community saw a collective loss of nearly $400 million as our state plummeted to 50th in the nation for

profitability. Lawmakers need to take a serious look at agriculture and ask, “What can we do now to stop making impossible conditions worse?” Farms are disappearing. Margins are collapsing. Input costs are rising. Labor costs are unsustainable. Regulatory costs are compounding. Fuel taxes continue to hit producers who were supposed to be exempt. And every time Olympia delays, the future of food production in this state becomes less secure. A farm that closes in July cannot be saved by a committee hearing in January. So, the questions should be asked plainly:

•

Who are the champions willing to lead now?

•

Which legislators are willing to put their names on serious reforms?

•

Which leaders will move beyond words and into action?

Farmers, agricultural organizations, community leaders and consumers all need to be asking these questions. We need to keep asking these questions until we get answers. We have time to act before the next legislative session. We have time to develop solutions and build support. But we do not have time to waste. n

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36 • BUSINESSPULSE.COM | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Building northwest Washington’s

FUTURE WORKFORCE Career-connected education is already changing lives. Together, we can ensure every young person has the opportunity to thrive by 25

very business leader understands that a strong economy depends on a strong workforce. The question isn’t whether northwest Washington needs more skilled workers; it’s whether we’re preparing enough young people today to meet tomorrow’s opportunities. When people hear about the proposed Whatcom Skills Center, it’s easy to think of a future construction project. I see something much different: a regional investment in people that is already underway. Across Washington, employers continue to face challenges finding skilled workers in healthcare, manufacturing, construction, public safety, maritime industries, hospitality and other essential sectors. At the same time, thousands of young people are searching for meaningful opportunities that connect education to rewarding careers. Bringing those two needs together is one of our region’s greatest opportunities. That vision aligns with the idea of “thrive by 25” — the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to enter adulthood

with purpose, opportunity and a pathway to prosperity. Achieving that vision requires collaboration among business leaders, educators, families, community partners and representatives of higher education and workforce organizations.

Lynette Brower is the director of Northwest Career & Technical Academy.

“Education is often viewed as a school issue. Workforce development is often viewed as a business issue. In reality, they are inseparable.”

While we continue working with our legis lative partners to secure state funding for a permanent Whatcom Skills Center campus, Northwest Career & Technical Academy has not waited to begin its efforts. Today, Whatcom County students are already participating in career and technical education at their home high schools while also stepping into a skills center experience through NCTA. Whether attending programs in Whatcom County or traveling to our Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley locations, students are gaining hands-on experience in high-demand careers while earning high school and college credit. Current offerings include allied health, fire science and welding. These programs reflect regional workforce needs. I’ve watched students discover careers they never knew existed, earn industry-recognized credentials and graduate with the confidence they need to pursue futures they once thought were beyond reach. A permanent Whatcom Skills Center would expand opportunities in maritime, hospitality and tourism, healthcare, early childhood education, skilled trades and other high-demand industries identified through collaboration with employers. The goal is not simply to build more programs but to develop the talent that will strengthen the region’s economy. ▶ ▶

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM • 37

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Northwest Career & Technical Academy is a regional skills center in northwest Washington that provides high school juniors and seniors with opportunities to prepare for careers, earn college credit and industry credentials, and engage in authentic and hands-on learning. Through industry partnerships and realworld instruction, NCTA equips students with the technical skills, professional habits and confidence they need to thrive in postsecondary education and today’s workforce.

Education is often viewed as a school issue. Workforce development is often viewed as a business issue. In reality, they are inseparable. Career-connected learning depends on employers who open their doors, serve on advisory committees, provide internships and help shape the skills students need. Preparing tomorrow’s workforce is a shared responsibility. This progress has been possible because of the collective leadership of Whatcom County’s superintendents, who share a vision for expanding opportunities for students. I look forward to continuing that work with Kurt Harvill and the Meridian School District, which serves as the host district for what will become

Washington state’s most skills center.

northern-

The proposed Whatcom Skills Center represents far more than a new building. It represents a commitment to developing local talent, strengthening our regional economy and creating opportunities for students to build meaningful futures right here in northwest Washington. Our future workers are already in our classrooms today. Together, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to invest in these young people so they can build successful careers, strengthen local businesses and help our communities thrive for generations to come. n

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38 • BUSINESSPULSE.COM | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026

GOVERNMENT

ELECTION 2026

How will local candidates engage with Whatcom’s business community?

Dann Mead Smith is co-founder and co-leader of Future 42.

40th District House of Representatives Position 1 Among the two candidates, neither Rep. Debra Lekanoff nor Cindy Carter responded to questions.

40th District House of Representatives Position 2 Rep. Alex Ramel (D), incumbent alexramel. com Why are you running? I’ve been a state representative since 2020. Bellingham has been my home for more than 25 years. Before joining the Legislature, I’ve been known in the community as a leader at various nonprofit organizations, working on climate, energy and housing issues. In the Legislature, I serve as the Democratic caucus whip and as a member of the House Environment

y column highlights some of the key races across our county this fall, with a focus on the state legislative races in the 40th and 42nd districts and the election for county prosecutor. Also, I included the two new Port of Bellingham district commissioners, now that the port has expanded from three to five commissioners. Answers have been lightly edited.

and Energy, Transportation and Finance committees and as an ex officio member of the State Building Code Council. Although my son is an adult now, much of my dedication to building a better future continues to come from my commitment to leave the world better for him.

If elected, how do you plan to support and engage with the Whatcom business community? When we are not in session, I meet with many business and community leaders to understand issues, challenges and solutions. For example, a local architect suggested a way to streamline local permitting, which I turned into an accessory dwelling unit selfcertification bill that we passed in 2025. I was recently talking with a local marine trades company about suggestions to improve the ferry system, which I’m hopeful can make a big difference and would never have thought of on my own. I also talk with local organizations that represent smaller businesses, like Sustainable Connections and the Downtown Bellingham Partnership. I want to hear from these folks, but I also want to make sure that we have a clear line of communication

and can help them understand what our state government is doing. During the legislative session, I also meet with business leaders and their representatives from around the region. For example, I worked on policy to revise the way that wind and solar farms are taxed in Washington, and I had many, many meetings with representatives from individual companies and with their trade association. I try to make sure that my decision-making process is transparent — that’s especially important for maintaining integrity when we don’t agree. In the end, on this bill, that helped us find solutions that the companies all agreed were an improvement. This job also means that I have to vote on a lot of policies that I didn’t write. I need to know what I don’t know about those issues, and hearing from companies that are impacted can be crucial to doing this well. I strive to have an open door and to say yes when companies (and other advocates) ask me for time to help me understand the issues and their perspective — this is especially important when things get busy. I think if you look at my schedule during the session, you will see that commitment reflected. ▶ ▶

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Joseph Segault No party preference Why are you running? I have lived in the Pacific Northwest for my entire life. I am not a politician. I am a family man, first and foremost, a business owner, farmer and active member of my community. The No. 1 reason I have decided to run for state representative of District 40 is simple. The person who is currently filling that role, the incumbent, does not represent me at the state level. He does not represent my family or my community. In fact, he has openly admitted that he has no intention of serving them. Which is shocking to me considering that these people make up almost half the population in our district. To neglect them any longer is unacceptable. A true leader intends to serve the community as a whole, not to vote down the docket in order to appease political donors.

If elected, how do you plan to support and engage with the Whatcom business community? As far as the question of how I intend to serve the business community in Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan counties, my approach is basic. Engage, listen, learn. My favorite part of this process is engaging with the community and seeing how it is I can make sure their needs are being met. I am very accessible, open minded and, as an Independent, I have the ability to find common ground with most people.

42nd District Senator This is an open seat, as the incumbent is not running for reelection.

Erika Creydt (R) erikafor whatcom. com

Why are you running? I’m running for State Senate in the 42nd District because I love this community and believe it deserves practical, compassionate leadership in Olympia. As a clinical psychologist and founder of Touchstone Counseling Group, I’ve sat with families through their hardest moments and seen the challenges facing our community firsthand. As a small business owner and parent, I understand the everyday realities of balancing budgets, supporting employees and building a future here. Raised in Whatcom County, I chose to raise my family here because I believe in this place and the people who call it home. I’m running to protect what makes our community strong and to build a future where every family has opportunities.

If elected, how do you plan to support and engage with the Whatcom business community? Washington’s businesses need a partner in Olympia, not another obstacle. As a small-business owner, I understand the challenges of meeting payroll, balancing budgets, navigating regulations and creating good-paying jobs. I will listen to employers, workers and entrepreneurs

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to understand what’s working and what isn’t. By bringing people together instead of talking past one another, I’ll collaborate across the aisle for practical policies that reduce unnecessary barriers, encourage innovation and help businesses grow so our local community and local families can thrive.

Michael Shepard (D) shepard forsenate. com Why are you running? I am a longtime Whatcom County resident, a father and husband, an educator at Western Washington University and, for three terms, your port commissioner in Bellingham. In my time at the port, I’ve gained practical, hands-on experience with the issues facing our community, including our need for countywide economic development and housing. The port is our county’s lead economic development agency, with major regional employment infrastructure like our harbors/marinas, the Bellingham Shipping Terminal, airport and business development properties. Sustainable job creation, retention and expansion countywide is our mission. Additionally, I’ve secured 200 units of affordable housing, cleaned up Blaine Harbor and paved the way for a rejuvenated waterfront with Bellingham’s new Portal Container Village and waterfront pump track. I’m ready to take this experience to Olympia and fight to make our community more affordable, with family-wage jobs and long-lasting economic opportunity.

BP If elected, how do you plan to support and engage with the Whatcom business community?

regularly interact with our Economic Development Advisory Committee.

As I’ve campaigned door-to-door in Whatcom County this summer, residents consistently tell me that our cost of living is becoming rapidly unaffordable. We all love living here, but it has become a challenging place to afford. Families are struggling to balance housing, childcare, gas, groceries and more. My plan to address affordability involves investing in our regional economy and addressing the major costs families have each month, like housing, healthcare and childcare. We need a comprehensive, long-term plan to address the cost of living at the state level. That includes providing affordable housing, rolling back unnecessary regulations and securing economic development programs. This solution needs to be backed by data, evidence and experience. As local businesses are the backbone of our community’s economy, I’d welcome their support and advice in creating this solution. I meet regularly with our region’s employers, am a representative on the Economic Development Initiative Committee and

*At the time of publication, Shepard was leading the race by four votes, and a hand recount of ballots has been planned.

42nd District House of Representatives Position 1 Rep. Alicia Rule (D), incumbent votealicia rule.com

I am a fifth-generation Whatcom County resident, social worker, mental health professional, small-business owner of Rule and Associates, former Blaine City Councilmember and president of the Blaine Downtown Development Association, but my favorite title is still mom. Since being elected to the state House in 2020, I have brought people together to secure investments in behavioral

Helping to keep Affordable Washington’s working employee benefits waterfronts thriving built for maritime 800-488-8277 employers. WhatcomWorkingWaterfront.org/ health-trust

DENTAL

VISION

healthcare, education, housing, infrastructure, public safety and the local projects that make Whatcom County communities stronger. I am running for reelection because I believe our district deserves an experienced, independent advocate who listens, works across differences and delivers practical results. I remain committed to lowering costs for families and small businesses, expanding access to healthcare, strengthening schools, addressing homelessness, protecting individual rights and ensuring that Whatcom County receives its fair share of state resources.

If elected, how do you plan to support and engage with the Whatcom business community?

Why are you running?

MEDICAL

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LIFE

Doing business in Whatcom County is too hard. As a small-business owner and former president of the Blaine Downtown Development Association, I understand that local businesses need more than kind words — they need a government that listens, removes unnecessary barriers, invests in infrastructure and helps create the conditions in which employers and workers can succeed. I will continue meeting directly with business owners throughout Whatcom County, supporting responsible tax relief and access to capital, strengthening workforce development and apprenticeship programs, and addressing the housing, childcare, healthcare, transportation and behavioral health challenges that make it harder to recruit and retain employees. I will also advocate for our farms, refineries and energy industries, maritime, tourism, healthcare and Main Street businesses while ensuring that rural communities, small cities and small employers have a meaningful voice in decisions made in Olympia. ▶ ▶

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My approach is straightforward: Show up, listen carefully, bring people together and turn local priorities into measurable results.

Misty Flowers (R) electmisty. com Why are you running? I am running for state House of Representatives to bring accountability, transparency and fiscal responsibility to the Legislature. My vision is to create lasting stability for Washington through honest and sensible leadership. My goals as a House representative are to increase affordable living by lowering property taxes and repealing the state income tax. Washingtonians are taxed out. I will also focus on expanding housing availability by aligning local building codes with state standards to cut delays in permitting. I will also ensure public safety by prioritizing a wellfunctioning jail for Whatcom County that includes evidence-based addiction recovery services such as the OUT Impact Coalition and Reentry Program. I will use tax dollars wisely by exposing wasteful programs and fraud, standing firm that all tax increases shall be by a vote of the people. I know a strong workforce strengthens families, so I will support workforce development at the port and across Whatcom County.

Whatcom County businesses. I am dedicated to strengthening Whatcom County by actively listening to constituents and representing them in Olympia to strengthen the workforce, reduce barriers to expanding businesses and protecting your right to a free market in Washington.

42nd District House of Representatives Position 2 Rep. Joe Timmons (D), incumbent votejoe timmons.com Why are you running? My family feels the impact of rising costs, just like families across Whatcom County. During my first two terms in the Legislature, I’ve worked to address some of the biggest challenges facing our community. I’ve helped secure funding for flood mitigation projects along the Nooksack River, new local behavioral health and substance use treatment facilities, a new skills center at Meridian High School, and the Slater Road elevation project to

If elected, how do you plan to support and engage with the Whatcom business community? I will support and engage with the local Whatcom Business community by hosting quarterly events that provide feedback directly from

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improve access during flooding events. I’ve also supported efforts to expand housing opportunities, strengthen education and invest in our local workforce. While we’ve made progress, too many families are still struggling with the cost of housing, childcare, healthcare and everyday expenses. I want to continue building on that work by making our communities more affordable, improving public safety and investing in the infrastructure and services that help families succeed. I’m running for reelection because I believe there is more work to do, and I remain committed to delivering practical results for Whatcom County.

If elected, how do you plan to support and engage with the Whatcom business community? I am proud to be endorsed by the Washington Retail Association, and I will continue meeting directly with local chambers of commerce and smallbusiness owners so their experiences help shape my work in Olympia. I believe a strong business climate depends on reducing barriers to doing business and ensuring that workers are able to afford to live in Whatcom County. Increasing the housing supply helps employers attract and retain workers, and better

BP access to childcare allows more parents to participate in the workforce. Reliable internet access also remains essential, particularly for rural businesses. One of my proudest accomplishments during my legislative career is helping secure state funding for a new skills center at Meridian High School. The center will help prepare students for jobs in the local workforce through hands-on technical education and will include up to 70 childcare and early-learning slots for working families.

Justin Pike (R) vote justinpike. com Why are you running? I’m a lifelong Whatcom County resident, husband, father of four, small-business owner, law enforcement professional and military service member. My wife Holly and I own Ferndale Laundry, so I understand firsthand the challenges local businesses and working families face with rising operating costs, housing, utilities, taxes, and the overall cost of living. I’m running for state representative because too many people who have built their lives here are being forced to make difficult decisions about whether they can still afford to stay in Whatcom County. Families should not have to choose between remaining in the community they call home and finding somewhere more affordable to live. I believe Whatcom County deserves a practical, independent voice in Olympia focused on affordability, public safety, addressing the behavioral health crisis, and greater accountability and transparency in government.

If elected, how do you plan to support and engage with the Whatcom business community? I believe supporting Whatcom County businesses starts with listening to the people who are actually creating jobs, making payroll, investing in our communities and dealing with state regulations every day. As a small business owner myself, I would maintain an open line of communication with local employers, chambers, trade organizations, workers and industry leaders and bring their concerns directly into the legislative process. I want to focus on reducing unnecessary regulatory and permitting delays, addressing rising energy and operating costs, expanding workforce and careertraining opportunities, and making Washington a place where businesses can afford to stay, grow and hire. I will not agree with every business or organization on every issue, but they will always have a seat at the table, and I will work with them to find practical solutions and common ground.

County Prosecutor This is an open seat, as the incumbent is not running for reelection. Jesse Corkern (D) electcorkern prosecutor. com Why are you running? When my colleagues in the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office encouraged me to run for prosecuting attorney, I took their confidence to heart. I am running because I believe our community deserves experienced, principled leadership that

GOVERNMENT

strengthens public safety, improves the administration of justice and earns the trust of the people we serve. Throughout my career as a prosecutor, defense attorney and civil litigator, I have built a reputation for honesty, integrity, professionalism and collaboration — qualities I will bring to this office every day. As prosecuting attorney, I will strengthen our partnership with law enforcement, reduce the time it takes to bring cases to trial, manage caseloads so prosecutors can give each case the attention it deserves, and promote greater accountability throughout our criminal justice system. My experience spans both criminal and civil law, prosecution and defense, private practice and public service, giving me a breadth of experience and perspective that no other candidate can match. I am proud of the support I have earned from my colleagues and throughout our community

If elected, how do you plan to support and engage with the Whatcom business community? As prosecuting attorney, I will engage with our business community as a partner in building a safe, stable, and prosperous Whatcom County. My work in the Civil Division of the Prosecutor’s Office has given me firsthand experience advising county departments, resolving complex disputes and understanding how government decisions can affect employers, workers and our local economy. I know the importance of listening to stakeholders, finding practical solutions and building productive relationships before problems become disputes. My years as a criminal practitioner also gave me a different but equally important perspective: I saw firsthand how theft, property crime, fraud, drugs and other criminal activity can harm ▶ ▶

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businesses, employees, customers and entire neighborhoods. As prosecuting attorney, I will maintain an open dialogue with local businesses and work collaboratively with law enforcement and community partners to ensure that Whatcom County remains a place where businesses can invest, create jobs and succeed — and where criminal activity that threatens that success is met with meaningful accountability..

I will listen to local business leaders and members of the community on the issues they are facing so that public safety is a collaborative effort.

Ryan Swinburnson No party preference; swinburnson forprosecutor. com

Tor Benson torforport. com

Port of Bellingham Commissioner District 4 (nonpartisan)

Why are you running? I was born in Petersburg, Alaska,

Why are you running? I have nearly 27 years as an attorney, with experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney, county civil attorney and manager of a private firm. Currently, I run the Whatcom County Conflict Office and have seen firsthand where the Prosecutor’s Office needs improvement. It takes experienced, independent leadership that is focused on mentoring younger attorneys and serving the best interests of the community by improving law enforcement relations and better supporting victims.

If elected, how do you plan to support and engage with the Whatcom business community? Supporting businesses starts with effective criminal enforcement. The Prosecutor’s Office has lost sight of the benefits of effectively prosecuting individuals who harm our local businesses. Consistently holding offenders accountable will be a step in the right direction. Beyond that,

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grew up in Olympia, and then started commercial fishing in Alaska to pay for college, making my living commercial fishing for 15 years. I’ve been involved in a number of organizations including planning and zoning. I am the treasurer of the Bellingham Bay Rotary Club and a prior member of the Whatcom Business Alliance, and I have been a member of the Working Waterfront Coalition since moving to the county. Currently I coordinate the 800-foot cargo vessels that call Puget Sound home and am excited to put that knowledge to use as we bring the Bellingham Shipping Terminal fully online. I have my Certified Financial Planner designation and use it as the owner and operator of Streamline Advisory, which assists individuals and businesses in making informed

BP financial decisions, and I will help the Port of Bellingham do the same. Ultimately, I am running for the Port Commission because I think it is where my skillset can be best put to use in serving my community and, voters willing, I hope to serve on the commission for 10 years in order to see countywide improvements through to fruition.

If elected, how do you plan to support and engage with the Whatcom business community? The best leaders are the ones who have the lived experience, and I have been a lifelong self-employed business owner. I understand business fundamentals. By default, I have a business mindset

and understand that we need reliable harbors for our recreation and commercial users, we need an airport that has enough flight options that it is the default airport Whatcom residents use, and we need to continue to look for opportunities along our waterfront for shipping, ferries and recreation. Ultimately, my role as a port commissioner is to crowdsource ideas from our business community and citizens regarding how to promote sustainable economic development and through the commission craft a cohesive plan for our executive director to implement through the port’s 100 employees. In order to accomplish this, I will continue to build connections and relationships throughout the county by attending trade organization meetings,

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touring businesses to understand their daily operations, and continuing to learn from our business community.

Paul Burrill burrillforport. com Why are you running? For more than three decades I have worked in the commercial fishing and transportation industries, building businesses that depend on a strong working waterfront and a healthy local economy. ▶ ▶

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I currently own Epic Freight Lines, am a shareholder in a Tacoma-based seafood company, serve as chairman of the Port of Bellingham’s Marina Advisory Committee, sit on the Whatcom Family Farmers Board of Directors, and have been involved with the Whatcom Business & Commerce Committee since its formation. My volunteer service has also included fisheries management, marine conservation and industry advisory roles that have connected me with business owners, labor, agriculture and maritime stakeholders throughout the region. After more than a decade of civic involvement helping shape local business and waterfront policy, I am running for port commissioner to continue that work in an elected role focusing on family-wage jobs, responsible economic development and ensuring the port remains a strong partner for businesses throughout Whatcom County. I believe effective public service starts with showing up, listening and doing the work long before seeking elected office.

If elected, how do you plan to support and engage with the Whatcom business community? The port succeeds when local businesses succeed. My approach is to be visible, accessible and engaged with employers across every sector, from agriculture and manufacturing to marine trades, aviation, logistics and technology. Having spent years volunteering on the port’s Marina Advisory Committee and working alongside local businesses, I understand that good policy begins by listening before making decisions. I want the port to remove barriers to investment, strengthen infrastructure, recruit family-wage employers, support small business growth and fully develop opportunities around our

airport, waterfront, shipping terminal and industrial lands. My goal is simple: Create an environment where businesses can invest with confidence, create good-paying jobs and ensure Whatcom County remains one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest to start, grow and keep a business.

Port of Bellingham Commissioner District 5 (nonpartisan) Chris Elder vote chriselder. com

Why are you running? The Port of Bellingham is entering a pivotal period with the expansion of the Port Commission from three to five members, bringing in new voices from north Whatcom County (District 4) and east Whatcom County (District 5) to ensure that the port is working for all of the county. Decisions that impact jobs, infrastructure, industry, the airport and the harbors, the shipping terminal and long-term investments in economic development, trade and commerce. I bring valuable experience, having spent 12 years working in local government helping communities navigate complex challenges that prioritize agriculture, forestry, watershed health, climate action and community resilience. I co-founded and chaired Twin Sisters Farmers Market to address food insecurity in east Whatcom County and to develop local markets for local farmers. I co-

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founded and chaired Coastal Farmland Trust to ensure farmers have longterm affordable access to farmland to grow successful farm businesses and protect our agricultural communities. I also support natural resource planning and community engagement with my consulting firm Rivershed SPC (Social Purpose Corporation), which has supported post-wildfire resilience planning in western Washington, watershed management in working landscapes, geospatial data organization and communication, and other natural resource planning. My experience working in and with governments, nonprofits and private businesses makes me an effective and motivated leader.

If elected, how do you plan to support and engage with the Whatcom business community? I am excited to invest in our local economy and in all communities in Whatcom County. A thriving community must protect and invest in the very things that brought many of us here in the first place. Our farmlands, our forestlands, our watersheds, our wildlife and our wild places — these are the bedrock that made our community, and they are what will carry us into our shared future. Some questions that I’ve been exploring in my discussions with folks across the county are how do we make or ensure that our bedrock industries are not just viable, but economically successful and resilient? One example is our agricultural and seafood industries — a statistic from a few years ago claimed that of all the food consumed in Whatcom County, only about 2% of it is grown or harvested here; this means that our local food economy has a roughly 98% growth potential. Whatcom also boasts hundreds of thousands of acres of publicly accessible wildlands

BP available for hiking, biking, horseback riding and so much more — and yet you have to drive your car to get there, as our trail and transit systems do not connect communities with our parks and public lands. How do we invest in our natural resources and community infrastructure? I am excited about long-term economic resilience, and I’m excited to work with local businesses to look at the big picture to ensure that we are protecting our natural resources (and their industries), preparing for climate impacts, investing in our community needs and promoting innovation. An economic plan that prioritizes these things will create stability for our business community. I look forward to learning more and collaborating with local businesses and the business community.

Shawn Ensley ensleyfor port.com Why are you running? I’m a lifelong Whatcom County resident who was raised in, and still resides in, the east part of Whatcom County. As a family man, my life and values have been shaped by service, hard work and deep community roots. I served 21 years in the United States Air Force Reserve. I was deployed twice to the Middle East and have worked at ports from Alaska to Germany, gaining firsthand

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experience in global logistics and transportation operations. I graduated from Bellingham Technical College in instrumentation and built a 20-year career at the BP Cherry Point refinery. I’ve served in many roles at Cherry Point, including instrumentation and electrical technician, planner, foreman, turnaround event lead and now as the instrumentation and electrical foreman. I’m running for the Port of Bellingham to support local businesses, strengthen economic growth and keep the port focused on its core mission of serving the community and expanding familywage jobs. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, attending cycle classes, fishing, boating, skiing and motor sports.

If elected, how do you plan to support and engage with the Whatcom business community?



I will support and engage with the Whatcom business community by keeping the port focused on its mission: economic development, job creation and maintaining the infrastructure that local employers rely on every day. My approach is firmly pro-business. I’m not running as a climate activist or to push ideological agendas. I’m running to ensure the port remains a practical, reliable partner for the industries, small businesses and entrepreneurs who drive our local economy. That means listening directly to business owners, improving permitting and operational efficiency, strengthening maritime and aviation assets, and investing in projects that expand opportunities for family-wage jobs. The port should be an engine for growth, and I intend to make sure it stays that way. n

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What it takes to hand off your first workflow and trust what comes back Courtesy

You use AI to chat. Have you tried letting it run on its own?

M Levi Carlisle is co-founder of OpSprocket.

ost people use artificial intelligence the same way. You open a chat window, ask a question, get an answer back, fix a couple of lines and move on. That’s useful, and it’s still you doing the work, one prompt at a time. Almost everyone has something that waits for them, and almost nobody has something that runs without them. In a May survey of 1,070 people working at U.S. small businesses, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation found that half already use AI at work and 6% use it to automate a workflow with minimal human involvement. That gap isn’t a technology problem, and it isn’t a budget problem. Over the past year, the major AI assistants have added agent modes built for multistep work. Claude Cowork and OpenAI’s ChatGPT agent both take a goal you define and work through the steps on their own, and both come with the paid plans many businesses already carry. Hand one a folder of receipts and a spreadsheet

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and it sorts, enters and totals them without another prompt from you. In the same survey, 41% of workers say it’s unclear how AI applies to their business. That confusion is mostly a question of which task goes first, and there’s a three-part test for it. The first mark of a good candidate is that it runs in steps, the way a quote needs measurements pulled, prices checked and a draft written. The second is that the middle steps take some judgment, which separates this from the rigid if-then automation that’s been around for years. The third is a safety net, a natural pause where you check the work before anything hard to undo happens. Chasing overdue invoices, prescreening job applicants and drafting the weekly crew schedule all qualify. All three run in steps, need a judgment call in the middle and can end at a checkpoint instead of an irreversible send. Write the process down before anything runs.

BP “You can hand off the task, but you can’t hand off the responsibility.” An agent runs your process exactly as well as you’ve documented it. If the process lives in your head and changes every time, that’s what the agent inherits. Four lines are enough: the goal, the steps, what done looks like and where you check the work. Something like “Each morning, pull yesterday’s job notes, draft the invoices at our standard rates and leave them unsent for me.” If those four lines are hard to write, you’ve found out the task isn’t as repeatable as it felt. That discovery pays for itself even if you never switch anything on.

tempts on structured benchmarks, so the line deserves some thought. The test is whether an action can be undone. A draft invoice, a flagged expiring certification and a scheduling link can be undone. A sent quote, a placed order and a filed permit can’t. The reversible half runs without you, and everything else waits for your sign-off. Once it’s running, read the work on a schedule. Fifteen minutes, same time every week, for the first month, then C O N N E C T I O N

lighter — but never zero. Read what it produced, not a summary of what it did. Skipping that step is why these projects get switched off around month four, usually right after something embarrassing. Remember what you handed over, too. You can hand off the task, but you can’t hand off the responsibility. If the agent quotes the wrong price, the customer standing in your lobby doesn’t care that a machine sent the email. Start smaller than feels worth it. One workflow, one month, one page of notes. The Whatcom County businesses that thrive in the next few years will be the ones that handed off a first workflow, not the ones still typing every prompt. n

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C E L E B R A T I O N

The biggest unlock is letting the agent work inside your software. The connection runs on an open standard called the Model Context Protocol, or MCP, and the major AI companies all support it. It lets an assistant plug into the tools your business already uses. It’s like a USB-C port for AI — one standard connection instead of a custom cable for every tool. You don’t have to touch any of that plumbing. It surfaces as the connectors menu in the assistant you’re paying for, where you can link tools such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Slack and Notion. Start with read-only access where the tool offers it, which lets the agent look things up while you build trust. Grant write access where the job needs it and nowhere else. Then draw the line on what it decides alone. Stanford’s 2026 AI Index finds agents still fail roughly one in three at-

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Don’t blame AI: Why electricity rates are rising in Washington

POLICY

iStock

lectricity rates are rising rapidly in Washington state, and there has been a significant amount of attention to the impact on residential customers.

Todd Myers is the vice president for research at the Washington Policy Center.

There have been several stories about proposed rate increases in western Washington. The proposal from Puget Sound Energy would increase electricity rates by 17% next year and by nearly 30% over the next three years. And while there has been a lot of focus on Puget Sound Energy, it isn’t alone in increasing rates. Seattle City Light increased rates 6% this year and expects to increase rates by nearly 10% a year in both 2027 and 2028. In Spokane, Avista has proposed increasing rates by about 14% next year and 25% by 2030. So, what is going on? Why are rates increasing so rapidly across the state for both investor-owned and public utilities? People have a lot of theories, and the most popular one is that the rise of data centers

and artificial intelligence is to blame for the increases. But data centers are having a small impact and aren’t what is behind the increases across the state. Others point to profits for investor-owned utilities, but rates at public utilities are also increasing. Like many things, the cause is more complicated, but at the center of much of the increase are state regulations that make it more difficult to provide reliable electricity. The primary reasons relate to the state’s climate laws, the need to update utility lines to prevent wildfires, and projected future demand. But before I address what is driving electricity rates, I want to look at how rates are set in Washington state. Investor-owned utilities such as Puget Sound Energy and Avista are regulated monopolies, and their rates are set by the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission and its governor-appointed commissioners. ▶ ▶

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When utilities need to increase rates, they submit cost information to the commission, and agency staff then go through the filings to verify the costs and see if the request is reasonable. The costs include maintaining the infrastructure, such as wires and other equipment, generating or purchasing electricity, and complying with regulations and safety standards, such as via projects that reduce the risk of wildfire from transmission lines. The amount paid by families is not just the cost of the electricity but also a basic rate to cover the cost of maintaining the electrical system. The public can be part of the rate-setting process, but some information is proprietary and thus redacted from the filings. Instead, there is a public representative in the Washington Office of the Attorney General who has access to all the information and is supposed to represent ratepayers. In recent years, however, the public representative has actively worked against the public’s right to know. In 2023, we revealed that the public representative encouraged utilities commissioners to hide the cost of the Climate Commitment Act — the state’s tax on carbon dioxide emissions — from the public by keeping it off customer bills related to natural gas. We appealed and fortunately, utilities commissioners reversed that decision. Ratepayers can now see what the CCA costs them, but that was against the wishes of the public representative in the attorney general’s office. The public should not trust that the attorney general’s office is looking out for them.

Rates must also reflect a reasonable profit for utilities. Like any other business, they deserve a profit, but because they are monopolies, the reasonable amount is determined by utilities commissioners.

they also face similar choices. Recently, Seattle City Light agreed to pay $1.5 billion for fish passage at dams on the Skagit River. While some point to profit as a cost driver, every utility faces challenges.

We want utilities to profit, because when government caps returns at a needlessly low rate, it doesn’t allow utilities to deal with risk, such as investing in reducing the risk of wildfire. Utilities must have the leeway to invest in things that may pay off only in the long run rather than looking for every nickel and dime to save on maintenance.

So, what is driving cost increases for both public and private utilities?

Although public utilities such as Seattle City Light set their own rates,

With the growth in demand for data centers due to AI, some suspect that is the cause of the increase. The data shows that’s not the case. The amount of electricity required by Puget Sound Energy customers has been basically flat for the past decade. This is also true across the state. In 2024, retail electric sales in Washington were lower than in 2012.

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POLICY

Regionally, only Oregon has seen an increase in the past few years due to data center demand. This can have an effect on prices at the margin, but it isn’t the main driver of costs. In fact, regional retail electric sales grew only 1.3% per year from 2016 to 2024. That’s growth, but it’s not dramatic.

west must add 1,600 megawatts of effective capacity per year for the next decade. That is like adding the equivalent of two Snake River dams a year for a decade. That increase isn’t due to data centers. It is the increase from projected population growth and electrification.

would come with sparking wildfires. For example, PacifiCorp, which serves south-central Washington state, is currently litigating about $1 billion in damages due to fires plaintiffs claim the utility caused in 2020. Washington state law also requires utilities to plan for wildfire risk.

This is confirmed by Puget Sound Energy. A representative told me, “None of this growth is data center driven.” Most of the current and projected growth in electricity demand is due to people switching to electric vehicles and some electrification of homes.

But even that isn’t what is behind the current cost increases for PSE, Avista, Seattle City Light and others.

But the state’s law requiring utilities to meet wind and solar targets, known as the Clean Energy Transformation Act, or CETA, is playing a big role in driving cost increases. By 2030, the energy provided by utilities must be CO2 neutral, and at least 80% of the generation must be from non-emitting sources of electricity, which includes hydro and nuclear.

That doesn’t mean data centers won’t increase demand in the future. According to an analysis by utilities across the region, the Pacific North-

What is driving it? To put it simply, Washington’s climate laws and the need to address risks such as protecting the system from wildfires. Utilities such as Puget Sound Energy are upgrading their electrical systems to reduce the liability that

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As Rick Dunn, the CEO of the Benton County Public Utilities District, noted, the increases are primarily the result of utilities “scrambling to acquire scarce wind, solar and battery power to meet carbon-free mandates while keeping the grid reliable.” It is a difficult and costly balance, and the bills are coming due with the state’s strict 2030 targets just around the corner. The Northwest Power and Conservation Council echoes that assessment. In its Power Supply Adequacy Assessment for 2029, agency staff note that “significant increases in variable energy resources, such as solar and wind, have added a greater band of uncertainty in system operations,” which makes it more expensive to keep the system reliable. So too do Washington’s utility commissioners. In approving rate increases earlier this year, the commission “recognized that a number of changes were real costs associated with statutory obligations, primarily the Clean Energy Transformation Act ▶ ▶

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POLICY

and the Climate Commitment Act,” according to a UTC representative. Puget Sound Energy says about $4 billion of its $9 billion request is to comply with CETA’s renewable requirements. One claim made by Jay Inslee and other supporters of wind and solar is that they are the cheapest sources of electricity per kilowatt hour. A study by Energy and Environmental Economics released this year shows that is correct. Per unit of energy, wind and solar are about 25% less than natural gas, on average. That, however, doesn’t tell the whole story, and the requirement for wind and solar are driving costs up significantly. Wind and solar are cheap when the wind is blowing and the sun is shining, but that doesn’t match when demand for electricity is highest. At issue is what is called “effective capacity,” which is how much generating capacity can be relied on to meet peak demand either in the evening, when electricity demand is highest, or during periods of high demand, such as very hot or very cold days. A study examining how much electricity will be needed to keep the lights on in the future found that in winter, when Washington state’s demand for electricity is the highest, less than 10% of wind power could be relied on during those peak periods. The coldest days in Washington state are often very still, with virtually no wind across the entire Northwest. When electricity is needed most, wind disappears in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Utilities must build for the highest demand, so even if solar is cheap

when the sun is shining, it is incredibly expensive on short and cloudy winter days when temperatures plunge and electricity demand spikes. As a result, the effective cost of wind and solar is nearly four times as high as natural gas, according to that same study from Energy and Environmental Economics. Even if demand for electricity doesn’t grow in the aggregate, utilities have to replace natural gas — which is reliable when it is needed — with wind and solar, which must be overbuilt to keep the lights on for cold days in winter, and that increases costs for even the same amount of electricity. So, before investor-owned utilities such as Puget Sound Energy can supply data centers, they need to replace that natural gas with wind and solar, which requires them to build three times as much wind capacity as the existing natural gas and about four times as much solar. And they have to do it fast to meet the first compliance period for CETA between 2030 and 2034. It is clear that some utilities are struggling to meet the deadline. That means higher costs. It also means the chances that we face energy shortages are increasing. All of this means that even if Washington state utilities wanted to build large data centers, there isn’t much electricity to sell. Even if no new data centers are built, costs will continue to rise. So, what can we do? First, the Washington Legislature should recognize that its goals are unreasonable and are driving up costs.

54 • BUSINESSPULSE.COM | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026

Second, we need to give utilities options to build more reliable and low-cost electricity generation, such as natural gas. We helped author bipartisan legislation during the latest session that would allow utilities to build natural gas if the risk of blackouts was too high. We will bring that legislation back again. Finally, we need to shift control of electricity costs from behind closed doors and give it to the people. As we noted, we cannot rely on the public representative in the attorney general’s office to represent the public. Electricity prices should be transparent so people can use energy when it is cheap, such as at night and in the middle of the day, and avoid it when it is expensive, during the evening or on days with extreme weather. Fortunately, utilities are starting to introduce what is called time-of-use pricing, which would help consumers control their costs in a way they can’t now. If you want to wash your clothes or keep your house at 72 degrees, you can do that, but you’ll be able to see the cost and judge for yourself rather than finding out the high cost in your bill at the end of the month. Research shows that time-of-use rates help people save money. Electricity rates will continue to increase in Washington state, and the only way to slow that increase is to focus on the real cost drivers, such as state laws and regulations. Blaming data centers and profit are a useful way for politicians to distract from their own culpability but won’t reduce the pain being felt by families across the state. n

Business Pulse September | October 2026