It is impossible to not notice the amazing amount of growth in our area. With all of these new houses, there have to be people to buy them, and this has often made me wonder about two things:

1. Where are they all coming from?
2. Where do they work?

The answer to number one is EVERYWHERE! but mostly California.

As for working, small businesses are the main source of employment. But even small businesses have to come from or start somewhere and there is a new source: BC.

Many Canadian companies see the value in an American address and presence and Whatcom County’s proximity to the border makes it ideal, particularly for Vancouver businesses. Other factors that make our area attractive to BC are labor-cost advantages, easy access to Seattle and cheaper/easier shipping to other areas in the States.

Rob Pochert of the Bellingham Whatcom Economic Development Council says that 98% of the inquiries he gets about expanding into the county are from Canadian companies.

So thank you to our Canuck neighbors for investing in our community!