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Whatcom County · WC-CP-2021 · Pages 1-20

Economic Development

Chapter 7 establishes Whatcom County's economic development framework, focusing on diversifying the economy, retaining and attracting family-wage jobs, and leveraging the county's proximity to Canada, natural resources, and educational institutions. It sets policies for public-private partnerships, infrastructure investment, regulatory streamlining, support for resource-based industries, and strengthening the local food system. The chapter also addresses geographic equity in job distribution and coordination between economic growth and environmental protection.

Economic Development Economy Environment Social Governance

“Only 2 of 68 Economic Development policies (3%) include a concrete, measurable commitment.” Real Record SAY vs DO analysis · Whatcom County 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 Whatcom County 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.

What the Plan Promises
Formal targets adopted in the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan.
Trail-Town tourist destination with 100+ miles of contiguous trails by 2027; new economic development program automatically terminates after 7 years if unable to document equal or greater jobs per dollar invested
Goals (10 total)
  • Goal 7A: Promote a healthy economy providing ample opportunity for family-wage jobs for diverse segments of the community
  • Goal 7B: Support increased public/private sector partnering among all entities involved with economic development
  • Goal 7C: Ensure adequate infrastructure to support existing and future business development and evolving technology
  • Goal 7D: Strive for balanced, clear, and predictable overall policies, practices and regulations which do not unnecessarily restrict effective and desirable economic development
  • Goal 7E: Enhance the economic trade, tourism, and industrial siting advantages of the county's location adjacent to the Canadian border
  • Goal 7F: Encourage development that creates local reinvestment funds and provides jobs in the local community
  • Goal 7G: Coordinate economic development with environmental, resources, and other comprehensive plan land use and open space policies
  • Goal 7H: Promote economic diversity by continuing to support resource industries as significant elements of the local economy
  • Goal 7J: Address unemployment and underemployment as important issues and continue the effort to increase family wage jobs
  • Goal 7K: Enable a geographic balance for economic growth within the capacities of the county's natural resources, natural systems, public services, and public facilities
  • Goal 7L: Strengthen the local food system and take steps to improve conditions for a healthy, resilient, and prosperous food economy
Stronger Policy Language (28 policies in this chapter)
  • Policy 7A-3: Employ innovative techniques to recruit and develop a diversified mix of businesses for a broader economic base starting with the creation of a new economic development program to be funded ideally with monies collected under RCW 82.14.370.
  • Policy 7B-1: The Port of Bellingham, serving as the ADO, will work with the cities, the County, Chambers of Commerce, educational institutions, and other groups to assist retention and expansion of existing local businesses.
  • Policy 7B-6: A forward focused marketing strategy and a professional outbound lead generation program shall solicit inward investment from targeted industry sectors that are forecast to provide growth in family wage jobs.
  • Policy 7C-7: Recognize the importance of governmental services and facilities to support economic development. Update capital facility plans and appropriate adequate funding for public facility upgrade or expansion.
  • Policy 7D-6: Streamline and coordinate the permit process and sustain a supportive customer service approach towards permitting.
  • Policy 7K-2: Designate adequate zoning to allow business and industrial development where it is needed and most appropriate.
Show all 28 stronger policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 24 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 (38 policies in this chapter)
  • Policy 7A-2: Foster a diverse, private-sector job base, which will provide family-wage jobs at the state median income level or greater, and facilitate the retention and expansion of existing businesses.
  • Policy 7A-6: Support business start-up operations and entrepreneurship education.
  • Policy 7B-5: Encourage utilization of current technology and efficient communication tools to disseminate information.
  • Policy 7C-2: Encourage the provision of adequate transportation infrastructure, including roads to all industrial sites.
  • Policy 7D-2: Consider conducting in-depth environmental analysis for comprehensive plans and subarea plans to limit the need for future analysis by the private sector.
  • Policy 7G-4: Encourage sustainability by supporting waste reduction, reuse, recycling and the processing of used and waste resources into economically viable products.
  • Policy 7H-7: Encourage growth of tourism, recreational activities, and businesses that provide for diversity of the natural resource industry.
  • Policy 7L-1: Encourage government, institutions, and local businesses to purchase food produced within Whatcom County when available.
Show all 38 aspirational / monitoring policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 34 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 Whatcom County briefings tagged to this chapter’s topics. Browse all Whatcom County council and planning briefings to see related discussions in context.

View Whatcom County Briefings →