Site Assessment for Innovation Resource Center Funded
Bellingham, WA – January 25, 2010 – Whatcom County was awarded $35,000 by Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) to further develop the Innovation Resource Center (IRC), a key initiative of the Northwest Economic Council (NWEC). At their January 21st meeting, CERB unanimously approved these grant funds, which will be used to conduct a feasibility and pre-development site assessment for suitable light industrial properties that best serve the needs of entrepreneurs and startup businesses utilizing the IRC.
“We are very pleased with this news,” reported NWEC Board Chair, Bruce MacCormack. “2010 is going to be an exciting year because we have a serious mission to accomplish in the creation and retention of jobs in our community, by cultivating entrepreneurs for economic growth. In an exceptional response to this concern, the Northwest Economic Council along with its’ partners in post secondary education, County and City government, Port of Bellingham and private sector agencies have come together to meet this challenge.”
Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen testified before the board, asking for grant approval. He emphasized that the county is committed to the project. “This resource center will help enable our local economy to expand at a time when it’s most needed.” Kremen and NWEC Executive Director Nancy Jordan were the only local individuals who made presentations at the board meeting. “We are particularly grateful to Executive Kremen for his continued and unfailing support of our endeavors,” said MacCormack.
IRC is a business support process that speeds up the successful development of start-up and fledgling companies by providing entrepreneurs with an array of targeted resources and services such as business mentoring and coaching. The IRC is being developed to provide comprehensive entrepreneurial training and mentoring for early stage innovative business entrepreneurs including those focusing on engineering and manufacturing, technology and software, and green and sustainability.
“With fewer companies available to attract and large companies closing or downsizing, many communities like Whatcom County, are looking to support new businesses locally to rebuild their economy and lower unemployment. First time entrepreneurs need special environments that are innovative and nurture needs to grow and flourish. The NW Innovation Resource Center through its’ Business Accelerators will fulfill that need.”
For more information about Whatcom County's local economic council and the IRC, please visit www.nwecon.org, or call (360) 676-4255.
About the Northwest Economic Council
The Northwest Economic Council is the designated Associate Development Organization (ADO) for Whatcom County. NWEC is a private non-profit that provides economic development services for the region, supports local business retention and expansion, and serves as the point of contact for relocating businesses and develops long-term economic strategy. Please see www.nwecon.org for more information about the organization.
Media Contact:
Joe Bates
Whatcom County
(360) 676-6707, ext. 52510
jbates@co.whatcom.wa.us
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