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Bellingham · BEL-CP-2025 · Pages 114-123

Economic Development

The Economic Development chapter provides a framework for growing Bellingham's economy through regional collaboration, a supportive business environment, adequate employment lands, and workforce development programs. It emphasizes living wage jobs, support for industrial and manufacturing sectors, and partnerships with higher education, the Port of Bellingham, and regional agencies to diversify and strengthen the local economy. The chapter also highlights the interconnection between economic vitality, quality of life factors, housing affordability, and infrastructure investment.

Economic Development Economy Social Governance Taxes

“Only 1 of 35 Economic Development policies (3%) include a concrete, measurable commitment.” Real Record SAY vs DO analysis · Bellingham Comprehensive Plan

About this analysis

Real Record applies the SAY vs DO accountability framework to every chapter of every Washington comprehensive plan we publish. Each policy in the chapter is read individually and scored into one of four buckets:

  • Measurable — the policy names a specific target, deadline, dollar amount, or action that can be verified later.
  • Strong — binding action language (“shall,” “will adopt,” “require”) without a measurable threshold.
  • Aspirational — encouraging or supportive language (“encourage,” “support,” “consider”) with no enforcement.
  • Monitor only — policies that commit to tracking or reporting but not to action.

The accountability score shown in the sidebar is the share of policies in the chapter that landed in the “Measurable” bucket. A score of 0–19 (red) indicates most policies use aspirational language without concrete accountability; 20–49 (orange) is mixed; 50 or higher (green) means the chapter is dominated by measurable commitments.

The underlying text comes from the official adopted comprehensive plan published by the Bellingham planning department. Scoring is performed by Real Record analysts using a structured rubric; the raw policy text and bucket assignments are archived in the Real Record civic data warehouse.

Read the full methodology, sources, and rubric at Real Record · About.

Goals (4 total)
  • ED-A: Regional Collaboration and Coordination – Continue coordination with local and regional economic development organizations to retain, grow and attract living wage jobs
  • ED-B: Supportive and Inclusive Business Environment – Foster and sustain a supportive and inclusive business environment that promotes collaboration and growth
  • ED-C: Employment Lands and Supporting Infrastructure – Ensure sufficient employment lands and supporting infrastructure for numerous and diverse employment opportunities
  • ED-D: Workforce Support – Encourage programs and practices that support and sustain the Bellingham workforce
Stronger Policy Language (15 policies in this chapter)
  • ED-9: Partner with Whatcom County and the Port of Bellingham to conduct a regional employment study to assess existing and anticipated land, infrastructure and supporting service needs.
  • ED-11: Continually review and evaluate the City's permit processes in order to provide timely, cost-effective services and predictable outcomes.
  • ED-22: Periodically assess the adequacy of the supply of vacant and redevelopable employment lands in Bellingham and the Urban Growth Area, considering environmental constraints.
  • ED-31: Regularly assess the gap between wages and housing availability and incorporate that assessment into planning for housing action.
Show all 15 stronger policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 11 stronger policies are catalogued in the Real Record civic data warehouse and indexed by policy number against the adopted plan text. See how policies are scored →
Aspirational / Monitoring Language (19 policies in this chapter)
  • ED-6: Aid the efforts of business associations to promote economic activities and tourism.
  • ED-13: Work with partners to support businesses in developing environmentally-friendly practices.
  • ED-17: Support the retention and growth of Bellingham's locally-based or owned businesses.
  • ED-32: Recognize the connection between economic development and quality of life factors such as a healthy environment, locally-based food production, arts and culture and recreation.
Show all 19 aspirational / monitoring policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 15 policies in this bucket use language like “encourage,” “support,” “consider,” or “monitor” — phrasing that does not create an enforceable commitment. See how policies are scored →

SAY vs DISCUSS: Did this come up in meetings?

Real Record has not yet indexed any Bellingham briefings tagged to this chapter’s topics. Browse all Bellingham council and planning briefings to see related discussions in context.

View Bellingham Briefings →