Port of Bellingham outlines economic development strategy for Point Roberts

Tyler Schroeder, economic development director at the Port of Bellingham, presented a countywide economic development strategy aimed at strengthening Point Roberts' business base and resilience. He said the study consolidates community input and lays out short-term, medium-term and long-term implementation steps, including possible funding sources such as CURB planning grants and state and private dollars.

"The Port Of Bellingham does economic development countywide," Schroeder said, describing the plan as a "North Star" to guide visioning and funding. He emphasized community ownership of any plan and suggested forming a steering committee of the port, county and local partners to define redevelopment schemes and priority projects. The presentation emphasized linking capital projects (marina revitalization, sewer, broadband, bike infrastructure) to accessible funding and community-led visioning.

Schroeder walked the committee through five high-level strategies in the report and invited residents and local organizations to identify areas they would like to help advance. He noted that Western Washington University has received legislative funding to support continued engagement and that the port can help pursue future CURB grants to take implementation steps.