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The future is here for a real estate brokerage with a virtual office [4]

The BuzzKona Bikes to open Bellingham retail shop

A Ferndale-based bicycle company is preparing to open a full-service shop and showcase for its 75 models of bikes. The State Street shop should open in June.

KONA, PAGE 12

Business toolkitRecognize the signs of paralysis by negative emotions.

MIKE COOK, PAGE 22

Farmers market sales dipSmall farmers have more outlets for locally grown foodSTORY ON PAGE 10

What’s behind the drop in passengers at BLI?Potential 35% drop in airport traffic due to low Canadian dollar and changing industry

Traffic at Bellingham International Airport dropped for the first time in more than a decade last year and could fall even further this summer. An airport consultant expects a 35 percent year-over-year decline in traffic this June.

In 2012 and 2013, the Bellingham Inter-national Airport was one of the fastest grow-ing airports in the country. In 2014, airlines cancelled some routes and reduced others to

seasonal service, resulting in a 9.6 percent decrease in passenger traffic out of the air-port.

The traffic decline came at the same time as a weakening Canadian dollar, as about 55 percent of airport passengers are Canadian. But the coming drop in traffic has more factors than the falling loonie, which lost nearly 20 cents compared to the U.S. dollar in the last two years, said Ben Munson, vice president of Forecast, an airport consulting firm.

Munson explained the situation to Port of Bellingham commissioners at an April 21 meeting. The Port has paid Munson’s firm $50,750 since 2013 to attract new airlines and

BY OLIVER LAZENBYThe Bellingham Business Journal

Airport, PAGE 6

Whatcom County unemployment rate hits a 6-year low

In March, the official unemployment rate dropped below six percent for the first time since December 2008.

JOBS, PAGE 12

Your money mattersHow to save money for retirement when it seems like you can’t.

FINANCES, PAGE 21Jen Paulson, with Terra Verde Farm of Everson, weighs mixed greens for a customer at the Bellingham Farmers Market. [OLIVER LAZENBY PHOTO | THE BBJ]

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The Bellingham Business Journal May 20152

A division of Sound Publishing Inc.

Glenn Sanderson, CEO of eXp Realty, built the real estate office of the future in 2009. It’s taking off this year, as the company is attracting top industry talent.

[14] The cloud-based brokerage

Sales at the Bellingham Farmers Market have declined since 2011 after years of growth. Meanwhile, demand for local produce has grown at stores and restaurants.

[10] Farmers market sales dip

Contents

Avatars meet in the amphitheater at Bellingham-based eXp Realty’s cloud campus. The com-pany updated its virtual office in March to allow more brokers and agents to meet online.[IMAGE COURTESY OF EXP REALTY]

The Bellingham Business Journal

Whatcom County home prices were up 8.3 percent in the first quarter of 2015, and housing inventory is low as the number of sales picks up for Spring.

[6] Sellers market developing in real estate

Connect with us

[7] Market Indicators[18] Public Records

[21] Your Money Matters[22] Business Toolkit

On Twitter@BBJToday

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The popular Sunnyland restaurant just expanded its prep space, but the owners are committed to keeping the restaurant small.

[8] Homeskillet

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BUSINESS BRIEFSSilver Reef Casino hires new CEO

The Lummi Commercial Company Board of Direc-tors announced that Frank Cornett will takeover next month as CEO of the Silver Reef Hotel, Casino & Spa.

Cornett started at the casino on April 1. He is working closely with cur-rent CEO Harlan Oppen-heim, who is retiring in May, according to a press release.

Cornett has worked in the gaming industry since the early 1980s and has held management and executive positions at casi-nos in Las Vegas; Coach-ella, California; and Ocean Shores, Washington. Cor-nett taught as an adjunct faculty member in the Northwest Indian College’s Tribal Casino and Hospital-ity Management Program from 2009 to 2013, a posi-tion that the press release called Cornett’s favorite job so far.

Oppenheim, the depart-ing CEO, guided the Silver Reef Casino for the last 13 years, through its grand opening and six major expansions.

Cosmos Bistro opens in the Herald Build-ing

Cosmos Bistro, a comfort food restaurant, opened on April 15 at 1151 N. State St., in the Herald Building.

The owners, Jamison Rogayan and Cinnamon Berg, are familiar faces to some of their customers because they were in charge of Avenue Bread’s short-lived dinner effort called Sunnyland Suppers. After a year of serving dinner at its James Street location, Avenue Bread decided to stop and focus on breakfast and lunch.

Berg cooks and Rogayan runs the front of the house. The menu includes their favorite comfort food, which, so far, ranges from meatloaf and macaroni and cheese to pork adobo and vegetarian tamales.

Locker Room in Fern-dale offers 24-hour access

Locker Room, the Fern-dale gym owned by two pro football players and the owner of The Woods Cof-fee, is now open 24 hours a day for members. The gym

added new security and key fobs to allow members to work out any time.

“With so many people in and around Ferndale needing to come to the gym around the clock because of their work schedule or because it just fits their lifestyle we felt it was important to offer this new 24-hour access to the community,” said Jake Locker, co-owner and former quarterback for the Tennessee Titans, in a news release. “It’s been great see-ing so many new members join since we took over in December, and now we are seeing others who couldn’t access the Locker Room before.”

My Garden Nursery opens on Bakerview

My Garden Nursery opened Wednesday, April 1, at 929 E. Bakerview Road, at the location of the former Bakerview Nursery & Garden Center. Owners Jenny Gunderson and Bill Raynolds operated My Gar-den Nursery in Mill Creek for seven years before leav-ing to find a site they could own.

Whatcom Farm-ers Co-op approves merger with global cooperative

Voting members of Whatcom Farmers Co-op approved a merger with CHS Inc., a Minnesota-based farmer cooperative with employees in 24 coun-tries. Both cooperatives announced the approval on Monday, April 6.

If CHS’s board of direc-tors approves the merger, it will become official in July 2015 after both organiza-tions perform legal due diligence.

Lynden-based WFC said the transition will be smooth for customers and staffing at its current loca-tions won’t change.

Don Eucker, WFC’s gen-eral manager, will continue to lead the cooperative as general manager.

WFC has stores in Lyn-den, Bellingham, Fairhav-en, Ferndale, Blaine and Nooksack. It sells farming supplies, hardware and fuel. WFC formed in 1982 with the merger of Whatcom County Grange Supply and Western Farmers Associa-tion.

CHS started in 1929

and has more than 11,000 employees worldwide. It supplies energy, crop nutri-ents, grain marketing ser-vices, animal feed, food and food ingredients, financial and risk management services, and it operates petroleum refineries and pipelines.

SBDC hosting two workshops on gov-ernment contracting May 6

Two upcoming work-shops aim to help business owners find their way in the competitive market-place for government con-tracting jobs.

Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center and the Washington Procure-ment Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) are partner-ing to host the two work-shops, which take place at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on May 6 at the Small Business Devel-opment Center, 115 Unity St., Suite 101.

The first two-and-a-half hour workshop will focus on the basics of becoming a successful government con-tractor, according to a news release from the university. That includes information about government classifi-cations, certifications and market research.

The second workshop will focus on developing proposals, including strate-gies for pre-positioning, setting up files and target-ing responses.

The free workshops will be lead by Jean Hales, PTAC’s government con-tracting assistance spe-cialist, and Jeanie James of Shorebird Creative, a design and media firm in Mukilteo.

Registration is required for the workshops. Regis-ter online for one or both sessions and find more information at Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center’s website.

Mozza Italian restau-rant opens on Baker-view

Mozza, at 410 W. Bak-erview Road, opened in late March with a menu that includes pizza, pasta, calzones, chicken wings, breakfast pizza and quesa-dillas. The restaurant also

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Samantha Macconnell, CEO of Mozza, said she hopes to create a franchise. Next, she plans to take the restaurant south to Burling-ton and then eventually to Seattle, but she doesn’t have a timeline in mind for the business’ growth, she said.

Bellingham to host statewide Main Street Conference May 6-8

Downtown Bellingham will host the fifth annual Revitalize WA 2015 Pres-ervation and Main Street Conference May 6-8.

The Washington State Main Street Program and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation put on the yearly city planning and economic develop-ment conference. The event brings together national, state and local experts on downtown revitaliza-tion, historic preservation, architecture and economic development for a variety of presentations and work-shops.

This year’s conference

schedule includes educa-tional sessions and events at the Mount Baker Theatre, receptions at Aslan Brewing Co. and the SPARK Muse-um of Electrical Invention, downtown tours, and local food, coffee and libations, according to a news release from the city.

Anyone can register. The target audience is Washing-ton State Main Street com-munities and affiliates as well as archaeology, historic preservation, architecture, and planning professionals. A large portion of attendees will be from nonprofits and public sector agencies, but there is usually a strong representation from private firms, according to the news release.

Learn more at www.pre-servewa.org/revitalizawa.aspx.

Tiger Construction of Everson under new ownership

Tiger Construction of Everson changed owners but remains in the same family.

Brothers Ken and Steve Isenhart sold their interest

in the company to Ken’s sons, Scott and Nick Isen-hart, and Steve’s son Derek Isenhart.

Scott is the company’s new president. He started working for Tiger in 2004 after graduating from the University of Washington’s construction management program. Derek, the com-pany’s new vice president, estimator and project man-ager, has civil engineering degrees from University of Washington and Colo-rado State University. Nick attended Washington State University and started at Tiger in 2006, according to a press release from the company.

Ken and his wife Marsha started the company in 1974 and focused on site work and civil contract-ing. Steve started at Tiger in 1985 and specialized in public buildings.

Tiger Construction’s past projects include Mount Vernon High School, Island Transit’s main facility in Coupeville, Meridian High School, and Laura Angst Hall at Skagit Valley Col-lege.

BRIEFS, FROM 3


retain current flights out of the airport. That’s frustrating to Port Commissioner Dan Robbins, who pointed out that Frontier Airlines, the last airline Forecast brought to the airport, announced in Feb-ruary that it is canceling its only flight out of Bellingham—a direct flight to Denver—effective this summer.

In addition to losing Frontier service to Denver, Allegiant is reducing flights to Las Vegas and other airports and Alaska Airlines is reducing flights to Las Vegas and Seattle this summer.

The number of people aboard individual planes flying out of Bellingham, called “load factor” in the industry, has remained high, Munson said. The loss of flights and accompanying drop in passengers has more to do with other factors in the industry.

“Bellingham is a high load fac-tor market traditionally,” Munson said. “Lots of the capacity that’s been reduced has been reduced as a function of other things hap-pening outside of Bellingham in the carrier’s networks.”

INDUSTRY CHANGESMunson broke down the fore-

casted traffic drop like this: 50 percent is due to Alaska cutting flights, 35 percent is because of Allegiant’s reduced service and the remaining 15 percent is due to Frontier Airlines canceling ser-vice to Denver.

Alaska Airlines, the biggest player, is moving planes to its base at Seattle-Tacoma Inter-national Airport in response to competition from Delta. Delta is turning Sea-Tac into a hub and has roughly doubled its flights out of Seattle in the last two years, Munson said.

The result is cheaper flights out of Seattle.

“Seattle to San Diego’s aver-age fare declined by almost 20 percent,” Munson said. “People with a choice between driving

to Bellingham or Seattle, they’re seeing much more competitive prices now.”

Munson called Allegiant’s upcoming changes tactical; the low cost carrier is focusing on the East Coast, especially Florida. In the last year, Allegiant’s opera-tions from most of its West Coast airports remained roughly flat, while the number of available seats out of four airports in Florida—Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Punta Gorda and Orlando—has increased from between 56 per-cent to 15 percent.

Frontier canceling its service to Denver can be chalked up to the airline making huge reductions at its Denver hub, Munson said. Bellingham is one of 27 airports around the country that will lose Frontier service to Denver this summer.

HOW DOES BLI COMPARE?Bellingham International Air-

port isn’t the only U.S. airport near a Canadian metropolis that has been hurt by the falling loo-nie.

The Buffalo Niagara Interna-tional Airport in Buffalo, New York, and the Plattsburg Inter-national Airport in Plattsburg, New York, both serve about half Canadian customers. Plattsburg’s airport is about 60 miles from Montreal, and Buffalo’s airport is about 100 miles from Toronto.

In the fourth quarter of 2014, traffic at those airports decreased 8 percent and 15 percent, respec-tively, according to Munson’s report to the commission. Traffic at the Bellingham airport was down 7 percent.

“For that time period, Belling-ham actually compares relatively favorably to Buffalo and Platts-burg,” Munson said.

Nellie Snow, a travel consul-tant with White Rock Travel, just north of the border, said in March that her customers aren’t traveling to the U.S. as frequently as they were last year because they’re hurt by the exchange rate.

“We’re getting a lot less traffic into the U.S.,” she said. “If they’re concerned about the dollar, they’re going to Mexico or the Caribbean.”

PORT BUDGETIn the first quarter of 2015,

port aviation brought in $1.9 million in revenue, which is about $300,000 lower than in the first quarter of last year, and below budget by almost $about $78,000, Tamara Sobjack director of finance at the Port of Belling-ham, told the port commission. Expenses, however, were less than

budgeted for by about $150,000. The drop in traffic won’t affect

the port’s ability to pay back bonds for the airports $32.5 mil-lion terminal expansion project, which was completed last year. The airport collects a $4.50 charge per passenger that goes toward the bond.

“The bond was set up with using very conservative numbers for in-plane passengers,” port aviation director Daniel Zenk said. “We’re able to meet the debt service for the life of the bond.”

The airport employs about 1,200 people and brings $225 million in revenue to the region, Zenk said.

The port is responding to the drop in revenue by looking for costs to cut and more ways to bring in revenue, Sobjack said. The airport launched a program that allows companies to buy advertisements on the screens at the airport.

FUTURE POSSIBILITIESPassenger traffic out of the

airport will pick up in Novem-ber and December when Alaska and Allegiant bring back some

seasonal flights. In the mean-time, the Bellingham airport will be underserved, leading to full planes and a possible new oppor-tunities, Munson said.

Munson is hopeful about Spirit Airlines, an ultra-low-cost carrier similar to Allegiant or Frontier. From 2010 to 2014 the Florida-based airline entered 18 new cities and more than doubled the amount of seats it offers. The airlines’ flights are concentrated in the south and east. Portland, Oregon is currently its closest service.

Munson said his firm is work-ing with Spirit and other airlines to provide information about the Bellingham market, and building a case for them to come here.

“Spirit really exemplifies the ultra low cost carrier model,” Munson said. “Relevant to Bell-ingham is it’s a model that works here.”

Spirit Airlines domestic route map

Ben Munson, vice president of Forecast Inc., a consulting firm that does work for the Port of Bellingham, thinks Spirit Airlines could be a good fit for the Bellingham International Airport. From April 2010 to April 2015, Spirit Airlines entered 18 new cities and increased its amount of available seats by 140 percent. [Image courtesy of Forecast Inc.]

AIRPORT, FROM 1

“We’re getting a lot less tra� c into the U.S. ... They’re going to Mexico or the Caribbean.”

NELLIE SNOWTRAVEL CONSULTANTWHITE ROCK TRAVEL, IN WHITE ROCK, B.C.

Oliver Lazenby, associate editor of The Bellingham Business Journal, can be reached at 360-647-8805, Ext. 5052, or [email protected].

Falling inventory and rising prices in Whatcom County real estate could lead to a seller’s market, according to a report on the first quarter of 2015 by Lylene Johnson, a real estate agent with the Muljat Group.

Johnson has tracked the local real estate market for years using data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

The median price of first quarter home sales in the county rose 8.3 percent in comparison to the first quarter of 2014 to $269,950, according to Johnson’s report.

The data varies widely by area within Whatcom County, with Lynden expe-riencing the biggest increase in median sales price with a jump of 23.7 percent

to $297,950. Bellingham’s median price increased 15.9 percent to $310,500 and Ferndale’s median prices increased 10 per-cent to $275,000.

An increase in sales of homes in more expensive areas is significantly influencing the increase in median price, Johnson said in her report.

Johnson’s report divides the county into seven areas. Median home prices decreased in just two areas—Nooksack Valley and Sudden Valley. Median home prices in Nooksack Valley decreased 5.9 percent and in Sudden Valley they decreased 8.8 percent.

Countywide, 537 homes sold in the first quarter, a 17.2 percent increase when com-pared to the same period in 2014. Most of

those homes were sold outside of Belling-ham.

In Lynden, 66 homes sold in the first quarter, a 73.7 percent increase over last year. Ferndale saw a 38.8 percent increase. The Bellingham market only saw a 2 percent increase in sales. The number of homes decreased in just one area in the county, Sudden Valley, where it fell by 23.7 percent.

Johnson’s report identified a declining number of homes for sale in Bellingham as a factor in higher prices and the small increase in homes sold in Bellingham rela-tive to other areas.

In mid-March, 213 homes were for sale in Bellingham, a 30 percent decrease from last year and the lowest monthly number

in more than two years, Johnson’s report said. The number of sales pending was up 14 percent in March following a 16 percent increase in February. If that trend con-tinues, Johnson said, it will lead to higher prices.

According to the latest date from North-west Multiple Listing Service, the months of inventory, a measure of how many months it would take for all the homes on the market to sell, is down 32.67 percent from last year.

The figure was 5.60 percent in March 2014, and 3.77 percent in March 2015.

Whatcom County home prices rose 8.3 percent in Q1 2015


BY OLIVER LAZENBYThe Bellingham Business Journal


Chapters 11,13Chapter 7

BankruptciesMarch 2015 total: 41 Annual change: � 12.76%

Includes �lings for Chapters 7, 11 and 13 in Whatcom County

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

MFJDNOSAJJMAMFJ2014 2015

60.0 %

62.5 %

65.0 %

67.5 %

70.0 %

MFJDNOSAJJMAMFJDNOSAJJMAMFJ

Labor force participation rateMarch 2015: 63.6% March 2014: 63.4 %

Includes non-seasonally adjusted �gures for Washington State

2013 2014 2015

SOURCE: U.S. BANKRUPTCY COURT, WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON SOURCE: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SOURCE: WASHINGTON STATE UNEMPLOYMENT SECURITY DEPARTMENT

2014

Unemployment rateMarch 2015: 5.9 % March 2014: 7.2 %

Includes non-seasonally adjusted �gures in Whatcom County

2015

5 %

6 %

7 %

8 %

MFJDNOSAJJMAMFJ

Sales-tax distributionMarch 2015: $1,471,557.7 Annual change: 4.32%

Includes basic and optional local sales tax to Bellingham

2014 2015

�

$0

$0.5

$1M

$1.5

$2M

$2.5M

MFJDNOSAJJMAMFJ $0.0

$0.2

$0.4

$0.6

$0.8

$1.0

$1.2


Canadian dollarMarch 2015: $0.79 March 2014: $0.90

Includes monthly averages (Canada-to-U.S.) at market closing

2013 2014 2015

SOURCE: WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE SOURCE: BANK OF CANADA SOURCE: CITY OF BELLINGHAM

0

$50M

$10M

$15M

$20M

$25M

$30M


Building-permit valuesMarch 2015: $17,106,844 March 2014: $21,081,820

2013 2014 2015

Spending: Sales-tax distribution and loonie fall

Housing sale pricesAverage: March 2015: $284,110 March 2014: $268,731Median: March2015: $259,000 March 2014: $239,950

$250K

$300K

$350K

MFJDNOSAJJMAMFJDNOSAJJMAMFJ2013 2014

Average price

Median price

2015

100

200

300

400

500


Housing salesClosed, March 2015: 260 Annual change: +19.81 %

Pending, March 2015: 428 Annual change: + 37.62 %Includes sales of single-family houses and condos in Whatcom County

Closed salesPending sales

2013 2014 2015

SOURCE: NORTHWEST MULTIPLE LISTINGS SERVICE SOURCE: NORTHWEST MULTIPLE LISTINGS SERVICE SOURCE: CORELOGIC

Housing: Spring comes early for housing sales

0

10K

20K

30K

40K

50K

60K

70K

80K


Airport tra�cMarch 2015: 50,643 Annual change: -17.52%

Includes total passengers �ying from Bellingham International Airport

2013 2014 20150

1K

2K

3K

4K

5K

MFJDNOSAJJMAMFJDNOSAJJMAMFJ2013 2 0 1 4

Cruise terminal tra�cMarch 2015: 1,551 March 2014: 1,413

Includes inbound and outbound passengers at Bellingham Cruise Terminal

2 0 1 5

SOURCE: PORT OF BELLINGHAM SOURCE: PORT OF BELLINGHAM SOURCE: CASCADE GATEWAY DATA

0

100K

200K

300K

400K

500K

600K

J DNOSAJJMAMFJDNOSAJJMAMFJ

Border tra�cJanuary 2015: 425,243 Year-over-year: � 3.67%

Includes southbound passenger-vehicle crossings into Whatcom County

2013 2014 2015

Other factors: Airport traffic holds steady before a forecast decline

Notes: Graphs include the most recent data available at press time. Annual changes show cumulative difference from the same time period during the previous year. Data include raw numbers only and are not adjusted to account for any seasonal factors.

Jobs: Unemployment hits 6-year low, but bankruptcies rise Market Indicators

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If it ain’t broke

Tina White’s mother danced on the Moulin Rouge stage in Paris and White carried on the tradi-tion in her own way. Her quick footwork happens in the tight spaces between tables at Homeskillet, a tiny but popular breakfast and

lunch restaurant that she owns with her husband, Kirby White, at 521 Ken-tucky St., in the Sunnyland neighborhood.

Up until February, the restaurant was 950 square feet total. It seats 32 people and is often full, leaving tight quarters for Tina White and the restaurant’s other servers. In February,

Homeskillet added 450 square feet of prep cooking space, but the small dining area didn’t grow.

“It ain’t broke so we’re not going to fix it,” Tina White said. “People always say, ‘You guys need to expand.’ We like how small we are. All the little places that expand lose what made them special in the first place.”

There’s a lot that makes Homeskillet special. The centerpiece of the restau-rant’s decor—procured at a “whiskey tasting Star Wars-themed prohibition party”—is a patchwork, stuffed rhinoceros head that hangs above a blue brick mantel. Ceramic giraffes, seahorses, an ear of corn, wind-up walking dentures and other trinkets cover most spare surfaces in the restaurant. The col-lection changes occasion-ally as customers leave new figures.

Homeskillet’s popular dishes include Pulled Pork Tater Tot Hash and Eggs,

and the Hot Green Mess — macaroni and cheese topped with pork green chile and served with tater tots. Though it includes fresh and local ingredients, the menu is heavy in gravy and fried food.

“The one thing we learned from cooking in all the various places we’ve cooked in is that, say what

you will about health food, people love cheese, gravy and things that are fried,” Tina White said. “That’s universal.”

The Whites met in Ant-arctica in 1999. They had both signed on for a season of cooking at McMurdo Station, a U.S. research base 2500 miles south of New Zealand. They cooked for

more than 1,000 scientists and support staff with mostly canned, frozen and dried ingredients.

A container ship follows an ice-breaker into McMur-do Sound once a year to deliver food. When ingre-dients run out, they’re gone for good. The conditions, Tina said, lead to creativity. After running out of fresh cream, Kirby made clam chowder with a canned whipped topping. With the right amount, the soup turned out creamy and din-ers didn’t notice the hint of vanilla in the topping.

After their first season at McMurdo, Tina and Kirby moved to Bellingham, where Kirby had attended Western Washington Uni-versity. They had both been working seasonal jobs for years.

“When Kirby and I met each other the most per-manent thing about each of us was our storage units and our web addresses,” Tina White said. “We were perennial couch surfers and car livers.”

They went back for a full year at McMurdo because the government provided an around-the-world plane ticket to employees who worked through the winter, when planes don’t fly in and the station’s population drops to 200.

After finishing the year in McMurdo, they got mar-ried in a brew pub in New Zealand and continued traveling around the world on a six-month trip that included cooking classes in Thailand, trekking in the Himalayas and exploring

A chicken named Velveeta Jones sits next to Homeskillet’s parking lot. The restaurant in the Sunnyland neighborhood expanded its prep space earlier this year. [OLIVER LAZENBY PHOTO | THE BELLINGHAM BUSINESS JOURNAL]

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Once back in Belling-ham, the Whites bought a fixer-upper in the Sun-nyland neighborhood and Kirby White went to work on it. He later became a contractor with the skills he learned working on the house, and Tina White made and sold scrimshaw — art carved into ivory — which she learned in Antarctica. They continued to work seasonal cooking jobs.

“It was OK but it wasn’t a living,” Tina White said. “I started thinking of other ways to make money and I thought I could run a little food truck.”

They bought an Air-stream trailer, but before they could transform it into a food truck, they had an opportunity to buy the little building that became Homeskillet. The building’s diminutive size was a plus to the Whites; they wanted to run it on their own. (They currently have eight employees).

Friends were skeptical about the restaurant’s loca-tion, Tina White said. It’s across the street from a fuel distribution center and steel-sided industrial build-ings fill the neighborhood. They figured they’d at least try it for a year to see if they could make it work.

Homeskillet has been busy since it opening in May 2012, Tina White said. On weekends people wait-ing outside the restaurant can outnumber the custom-ers inside. Earlier this year Evening Magazine featured the restaurant.

Homeskillet is a reflec-tion of the Whites’ person-alities, said Chyloe Willing-ham, the restaurant’s first employee, referring to the decor, menu and business philosophy.

Part of that personal-ity is honesty, she said. Tina White is upfront with customers about what the restaurant can’t do. Large parties that arrive at Home-skillet are turned away; the restaurant has two tables that seat four and the rest seat only two. They recently took out their two larg-est tables, which sat six, because they were “gum-ming up the works,” Tina White said.

A sign inside warns cus-tomers with food allergies that their food may come into contact with other food allergens in the small kitchen.

“I think honesty is in short supply out in the world of business and it’s kind of refreshing to be like, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, we’re making it up as we go along,’” Tina White said. “And the folks who don’t get it — there’s plenty of places out there and we only need 32 people to fill our restaurant.”

Staying small comes with challenges. Five days a week, Kirby White is the restaurant’s only cook, preparing 150 to 300 meals a day.

In the kitchen, Kirby White stops moving only to read an order. Then he’s back to manning the res-taurant’s six burners and grill. His hands fly from utensil to pot handle to egg, cranking out meals six at

a time. The pace is frantic and leaves him drained at the end of the day.

“I like to relax on the couch with my dogs,” he said between cracking eggs into one skillet and sliding a scramble out of another skillet onto a plate. The Whites’ five dogs each have a namesake sauce at the restaurant: Jack Attack, Bet-ty’s Backyard BBQ, Scooch, Chi Chi Boo and Loretta del Fuego.

Before adding 450 square feet of prep space in Feb-ruary, the restaurant had just one 4-foot by 2.5-foot prep table. Kirby White and other employees cut 750 pounds of potatoes per week at that space. To keep up with the pace, they had to prep before and after the restaurant’s open hours, especially before weekends.

For Kirby White, the expansion freed up a little space, and a whole lot of time, he said. That means more time to relax on the couch and throw a ball out the French doors for the dogs.

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Gross sales at Bellingham Farmers Market plateausMarket, once one of the only outlets for local farmers, is a launching pad for other business

After years of steady growth, sales at the Bellingham Farmers Market leveled off and declined about 3 percent per year starting in 2011.

That drop is minuscule com-pared to the market’s growth up to 2011, market director Caprice Teske said. Gross sales at the market have nearly doubled since 2006, growing from about $1 million to $1.8 million annually. But the recent drop could signal a shift in the way consumers buy local food.

The trend is national, accord-ing to a January 2015 report by the U.S. Department of Agri-culture, with everything from an increase number of farmers markets, the recession, and more places for farmers to sell produce contributing to the plateau in sales.

Chris Benedict, interim direc-tor of Washington State Univer-sity’s Whatcom County Extension office, said the change is a natural process that markets go through. Statewide, there was a steep

growth in direct sales from 2000 to 2005 that leveled off over the next five years and began to drop in some places in the last three years.

In Bellingham, the plateau in market sales might not mean a plateau in demand for local food. Grocery stores and restaurants both sell more locally grown food than they did five years ago, Teske said.

“Ten years ago the farmers market was one of the only out-lets where you could consistently get local food,” she said. “ Now, a

lot of the time farmers use the market as a launching pad for additional business. They use the market for exposure that they wouldn’t necessarily get on their own.”

When Sküter Fontaine started farming in 2007, he made nearly all his sales at the Bellingham Farm-ers Market. His Everson farm, Terra Verde Farm, has grown from a quarter-acre to about 10 acres. Now, the market makes up about 40 percent of his sales, but it is no less important to his business, Fontaine said.

On a Saturday in April at the market, he made a deal to sell his produce to a chef at Chuckanut Brewery and Kitchen.

“That came about from him seeing us at the market and being able to talk to us about what we grow and what our farm is like,” Fontaine said. “Deals like that happen because of the market giving us access to more venues, being able to meet people and do branding.”

Terra Verde Farm has a com-

munity supported agriculture program that allows customers to subscribe to get weekly shares of farm produce. Fontaine also sells to the Community Food Co-op, Terra Organic and Natural Foods, and to local restaurants.

He said it has gotten easier to sell to local restaurants since 2007, as some Bellingham restau-rants have changed their menus to offer more seasonal produce. Now, during winter, restaurants Fontaine sells to are more likely to serve leek and potato soup - made with vegetables that store well - rather than tomato bisque, he said.

If sales at the market have lev-eled off because farmers are find-ing new places to sell, that’s not a bad thing, said Teske, the market director.

“That is our mission — to con-nect the community with local agriculture,” she said. “We have illustrated that there’s a demand for local products and more folks, like restaurants and grocery stores, are making sure they have local products.”

The Bellingham Farmers Market opened for its 24th season on April 4. The market is at the Depot Market Square at 1100 Railroad Ave. Hours:▶10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Satur-days until Christmas.Fairhaven Farmers Market▶ 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., from June to September, at the Fairhaven Village Green.

BY OLIVER LAZENBY The Bellingham Business Journal


Annual sales of farm products at the Bellingham Farmers Market peaked in 2011 and have declined slightly in the last three years. [SOURCE: WSU Whatcom County Extension]

A newly released study by Martin and Associates under-scores the positive economic impact commercial fishing has on the local economy. Sup-porting the commercial fishing industry is a priority for the Port of Bellingham.

According to the study: The commercial fishing

industry generates 1,781 direct jobs with the job holders earn-ing $94.5 million in wages and salaries.

$320 million in revenue from the purchases by the fishing fleet at the Port’s marinas (this does not include the landed value of the fish catch).

State and local governments received nearly $16 million of tax revenue from the activity generated by the commercial fishing fleet.

“Many people don’t realize how important commercial fishing is to the local econo-my,” said Dan Stahl, Maritime Director at the Port of Belling-ham. “Commercial fishermen spend millions of dollars each year on things like repairs and maintenance, electronic equip-ment, fishing gear, fuel, and food and supplies. The Port recognizes the value of this industry and works hard to attract commercial fishing ves-sels with competitive moorage rates, first-rate marine infra-structure, and a range of upland amenities.”

Squalicum Harbor has over 100 slips set aside for commer-cial fishing vessels. A sawtooth dock with a stiff-leg crane allows fishermen to drive vehi-cles right out to their boats and conveniently load and unload gear. Recent improvements to the sawtooth pier including structural pile work and elec-trical upgrades ensure that the facilities will be available to the active commercial fishing fleet well into the future. Squalicum

Harbor also has covered web lockers and secured outdoor storage area for fishermen to transition gear and equipment if they are engaged in multiple fisheries.

The strong marine trade network in Whatcom County is appealing to commercial fishermen. Hard to find sup-plies are readily available at local businesses such as Redden Marine Supply, LFS Marine and Outdoor, and Hardware Sales. Local boatyards including Seaview North, The Landings at Colony Wharf, and Fairhav-en Shipyard in Bellingham and Walsh Marine and Blaine Marine Services in Blaine can cover any work that commer-cial fishing vessels might need. A skilled and experienced work force of local shipwrights, electricians, diesel mechan-ics, welders and technicians ensures that the Marine Trades of Whatcom County are ready and able to attract and tackle any project from minor repairs to new vessel construction.

The Port also operates Blaine Harbor which has 100 slips

that can accommodate com-mercial fishing vessels up to 90 feet. Blaine Harbor commer-cial fishing amenities include 3 web lockers, fenced outdoor storage and a sawtooth pier for nets and gear loading and ves-sel bulk fueling. Blaine Harbor also has mobile net reels, and a 4,000-lb forklift which fisher-

men can rent hourly to move their gear and equipment.Port of Bellingham facilities are an ideal base for commercial fishermen with competitive moorage rates, exceptional infrastructure, comprehensive marine goods and services, and close proximity to prime fish-ing grounds in Southeast Alas-ka, Puget Sound, and the waters off the Pacific Northwest. A high demand for Port moor-age slips from the commercial fishing fleet is to the benefit of local jobs, income, business revenue and tax revenue.

Commercial fishing vital to the local economyPORTPORTPORT NEWSNEWSNEWS

May 2015

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Kona Bikes, a Ferndale-based brand that sells bicycles all over the planet, is prepar-ing to open a bike shop on 1622 N. State St., next to Village Lighting. The company has a business license for The Kona Bike Shop and a manager lined up, said Cory Blackwood, sales rep and advocacy direc-tor with Kona.

Blackwood hopes to open the shop in early June. At the end of April, he was waiting for the floor to be finished so that the service area could be built and bike racks could be brought in.

The 6,600-square-foot space, which was previously occupied by Quality Rentals, will be a little different from other bike shops in town. It will be a showcase for all of Kona’s bicycles; Blackwood hopes to have one of every model the company makes in the shop, which will be a chal-lenge since Kona has about 75 different models, he said.

“There will be a broad range of bikes. That’s something that a regular shop couldn’t realistically do,” said Blackwood, who calls the shop huge compared to most bike shops.

The Kona Bike Shop won’t carry other brands’ bicycles, but it will offer repair service as well as parts and clothing from other bicycle brands. This will be Kona’s first and only bike shop that carries only Kona bikes, Blackwood said.

“The end goal is to grow the Kona brand locally, like we always really wanted to do,” he said. “We haven’t been as involved locally as we could have or should have.”

The shop will also give the brand a sell-ing tool for people passing through town, Blackwood said. It will start out with about four employees.

Kona Bikes was founded in 1988 and makes bicycles for everything from road riding to downhill mountain biking. Kona bikes are sold in more than 60 countries and the company has global headquarters in Switzerland and British Columbia.

Currently, the only Kona dealer in Bell-ingham is Jack’s Bicycle Center, at 1907 Iowa St. Jack’s will continue to carry Kona bikes, Blackwood said.

Ferndale-based Kona Bikes opening a retail cycle shopShop will be a showcase for about 75 bicycle models

BY OLIVER LAZENBY The Bellingham Business Journal


Whatcom County’s unemployment rate for March was 5.9 percent, the lowest it has been since December 2008, according to the latest report from the state Employ-ment Security Department.

The industries that added the most local jobs since March 2014 were construction with 600 jobs, a 10 percent increase, and state government with 700 jobs, an 11.9 percent increase.

“It’s really encouraging to see this, and we’re seeing it at a statewide level,” said Employment Security Department economist Anneliese Vance-Sherman. “The numbers are similar for all of the Northwest Washington counties except for

Skagit, which had a small drop but nothing substantial.”

Employment numbers increased last month for all the industries that the employment security department tracks. Year over year, leisure and hospitality is the only industry with fewer jobs. Vance-Sherman said that is because of the weak Canadian dollar and a decline in cross-border traffic.

An increase in hiring during March is typical. January and February usually have the highest unemployment rate and by March seasonal hiring picks up again, Vance-Sherman said.

- BBJ Staff

Unemployment rate hits 6-year low


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Celebrate National Travel and Tourism WeekNational Travel and Tourism

Week is May 2-10, when across America, the tourism industry celebrates the role travel plays in the economy and in their communities. It’s an annual tradition that was established by a congressional resolution in 1983 and first celebrated the following year.

Communities throughout the United States hold events and activities throughout this week, including Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism’s annual meeting and awards presentation. These activities champion the power of the travel and tourism industry by shining a spotlight on the economic impact of the visitor industry on a local, regional and national level.

Tourism is a big industry for Whatcom County…and getting bigger. Travelers in 2013 spent $573.9 million in the county – an upward growth of 58% in the past decade and 20% over the past 5 years. Projections for 2014 anticipate continued increases in the county-wide travel spending impact.

There are over 6,100 people employed in tourism in Whatcom County alone. Across the nation, one in 9 American jobs depends on travel, making travel among the top 10 industries in 49 states and D.C. in terms of employment. Since the employment recovery began, the travel industry has added 865,600 jobs and has outpaced job growth in the rest of the economy by 37 percent.

Visitors to Bellingham and Whatcom County generate around $33 million a year in state and local taxes, many of which support public services and amenities enjoyed by local residents. The U.S. Travel Association reports that each U.S. household would pay $1,147 more in taxes without the tax revenue generated by the travel industry.

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in each category. In addition to accommodating

the thousands of visitors who stay with family and friends -- the greater Bellingham area has added almost 400 hotel rooms in the last 18 months. Approximately the same amount are either under construction or are planned.

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Shopping, also a favorite pastime for visitors to the area, includes a distinctive mix of local shops offering fabulous, fun and funky items along with familiar national brands. There’s an increasing number of wineries, pubs, and distilleries who feature their locally produced beer, wine and spirits – each with a story as unique as the person who creates them.

And then there’s the food. Choosing a favorite is impossible. In my case, selecting a particular place to eat at a particular time usually involves a craving specific to that exact moment in time. Even then, it’s a multiple choice equation.

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Real estate company’s bet on a virtual office pays off

In 2008, When Glenn Sand-erson’s real estate business went from closing $7 million a month in sales to $700,000, he closed offices in Seattle and Phoenix, leaving a remnant of the former business in Bellingham.

Sanderson wanted to rebuild the company but he thought brick and mortar offices were too expensive. When an agent asked him what real estate offices would look like in five years, he came up with a vision: Agents would meet with staff and other agents online and never set foot in an office. Then he realized — that was already possible.

Sanderson started a new bro-kerage, eXp Realty, based around the idea of a virtual office. The virtual office software of 2009 wasn’t great, but Sanderson was adamant that his 25 agents and brokers use the cloud office for meetings and filing paperwork.

Now, when Sanderson logs onto his cloud office, his avatar can chat with agents and brokers from all over the country. Virtual Glenn Sanderson walks through his firm’s campus using arrow keys, stopping to attend meetings, discussions and training sessions in glass buildings, at rooftop tables or under umbrellas on the beach. It’s like a video game but he’s playing it with hundreds of real estate professionals from 30 states and two Canadian prov-inces.

In its fifth year, eXp Realty is becoming one of the largest national brokerages and attracting talent from established compa-nies. eXp started 2014 with 340 agents and ended with 480, and Sanderson expects to have 600 by the end of April. Last year eXp Realty closed $500 million in sales and turned a profit for the

first time. Sanderson attributes the success to the company’s vir-tual office, which saves money and attracts forward-thinking people, he said.

“We’re starting to hit a little bit of a hockey stick curve in terms of growth because we’ve finally validated the virtual office,” Sand-erson said. “Agents are looking

at it as one of their choices as a place to go.”

Debbie Biery recently joined eXp as a broker. She has worked in real estate in Whatcom County since 1999 and heard about eXp’s virtual office years ago, but she thought the idea was too futur-istic.

Biery likes the social aspect of

working in an office and she was afraid she would miss it when starting with eXp. So far, that’s not the case, she said.

“You can pop in anytime and connect with agents on the East Coast and everyone wants to share their ideas and what works,” Biery said.

eXp has attracted other talent

recently, including Brad Ander-sohn, former national industry outreach manager with Zillow, who joined eXp in January to be the company’s director of indus-try and outreach. In April, eXp announced that Gene Frederick one of the industry’s top recruit-ers joined the company. In four of the last 10 years, Frederick was the top recruiter at Keller Wil-liams, the largest real estate fran-chise in North America in terms of number of agents, according to an eXp press release.

Andersohn, Frederick, and others in the cloud campus still get to have the water cooler con-versations that happen in physical offices, and that’s important to Sanderson.

“You can do your work any-where, but the value of the office is the conversation that takes place there,” Sanderson said. “Conversations, collaboration and community—those three things are the core of our organization.”

On the campus Sanderson’s avatar walks past a rooftop meet-ing table and then takes a direct route to the transaction room by jumping off the roof. (teleporting is also possible in the cloud cam-pus.) He walks into the transac-tion room, where two avatars sit at a desk. One is labeled “Brenda,” and the other is “Miracle.” Once in earshot, Sanderson speaks into his computer’s microphone.

“Hey Miracle, hey Brenda,” he said. One of the avatars stood up and waved.

The five-person transaction team handles transactions and property listings for the entire company. They each cover a spe-cific region, but it doesn’t matter where they live.

“Brenda, you just moved, right?” Sanderson said.

After five years of operating from a virtual office, eXp Realty is attracting top industry talent BY OLIVER LAZENBY

The Bellingham Business Journal

eXp Realty, PAGE 16

Above: A screenshot from eXp Realty’s virtual office. eXp agents use the virtual office for meetings, discussions, training sessions, and to file transaction paperwork. Right: Glenn Sanderson, CEO, started eXp in 2009 when he real-ized an online office was possible. [OLIVER LAZENBY PHOTO | THE BBJ]

By Alex PetersonOver the past few years, Whatcom County has become an under-the-radar hotspot for basketball at all levels. In college basketball, Western Washington University’s men’s basketball team won the NCAA Division II National Championship just three years ago, and both the men’s and women’s teams made the Final Four the following year.In high school basketball, the county has seen each of its teams have success. Most recently, Whatcom County had fi ve teams fi nish in the top six teams in their respec-tive classifi cations, and the Lummi Nation High School boys’ basketball team won the state championship in their classifi cation.And in semi-pro basketball, the Belling-ham Slam were winners of three straight International Basketball League titles from 2012-2014. The newest chance for the area’s hoops stars to shine will be the area’s fi rst ever Hoop It Up 3x3 tournament. The tourna-ment will be held on Saturday, July 4, at Bellingham’s Zuanich Park as part of the Haggen Family 4th of July Celebra-tion, put on by the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry. This Hoop It Up tournament, presented by Haggen, is currently the only Hoop It Up event scheduled to be played in Washing-ton State in 2015. Winners in each divi-sion qualify for the Hoop It Up National Championship, and men’s and women’s Top Gun teams could qualify for the USA Basketball National Tournament. “We’re excited to hold a basketball tour-nament as part of the July 4th festivities this year and continue the growing tradi-tion of basketball success in Whatcom County,” Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Guy Oc-chiogrosso said.Hoop It Up is the premier 3-on-3 bas-ketball tour in the United States. It was formed in 1989 in conjunction with the NBA. The program has reached more than 500,000 athletes over the past 25 years and is endorsed by FIBA, the world basketball governing body. FIBA is trying to introduce 3x3 basketball to the 2020 Olympics. Play in these 3-on-3 tournaments usually features fast-paced, skill-oriented action and is held in both indoor and outdoor facilities. The Bellingham tournament will be held at Zuanich Point Park.Teams may sign up on the Hoop It Up website at HoopItUp.com or nasports-group.com. Each team must consist of four players, three starters and one substi-tute. Games are played under FIBA rules on half-courts. Winners and second-place fi nishers in each division will receive an award. Typical divisions for Hoop It Up tourna-ments include:• Youth divisions for ages 8-18• Recreational and competitive adult

(19 and older) divisions including 6-feet-and-over and 6-feet-and-under divisions

• Corporate division• Age 30 and over divisions• A “Top Gun” elite division“Hoop It Up will allow us to provide a more interactive aspect to the Haggen Family 4th of July Celebration that will appeal to both kids and adults,” Occhio-grosso said. The event will also include slam-dunk, 3-point and free-throw contests, with prizes from local businesses for the win-ners. Registration for a team of four can range from $100 to $140, depending on ages. The tournament isn’t just for Bellingham and Whatcom County residents. Other Hoop It Up tournaments attract competi-tors and teams from all over the country, as they are qualifying legs on the tour to the National Championship. “Hoop It Up is ideal for high school bas-ketball players who want some competi-

tion while staying in shape, or college students who are looking for a summer alternative to intramurals,” Occhiogrosso said. “It’s also great for adults who play pick-up games at the gym, or kids who play together in their neighborhood. Anyone from pros to couch potatoes can compete.”For those who are looking for an addi-tional 3-on-3 basketball competition, the Lynden Chamber of Commerce will hold a local 3-on-3 tournament at the Northwest Raspberry Festival, held from July 17-18 in Lynden. After the July 4th tournament, competitors and fans can check out the rest of what the Haggen Family 4th of July Celebration has to offer. Competitors can unwind after Hoop It Up with live music, food from a wide variety of vendors and beer in the beer garden, which is sponsored by Bank of the Pacifi c. “Win or lose, you don’t have to leave the park to relax after the tournament and enjoy some great local food and drinks,” Occhiogrosso said. The Chamber will also have the traditional fi reworks viewing at the July 4th Celebra-tion and Zuanich Park is one of the best places in Bellingham to watch. There will also be old-time games all day for the kids. Last year the games included

sack races, a watermelon-rolling race, a water balloon toss and a scavenger hunt featuring Haggen’s mascot, Splash the Otter.No matter what you’re looking for on the Fourth of July — local food and beer, kids’ games, music, sports or fi reworks — check out the Haggen Family 4th of July Celebration. Teams will sign up fast for the Hoop It Up 3x3 tournament with com-petitors from all over, so be sure to check Bellingham.com for more information and upcoming announcements about the event.

Hoop It Up 3x3 tournament at Bellingham 4th of July Celebration

R E P O R TWH TCOMBellingham / Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry : Representing Businesses Across Whatcom County


1302045


“I’m in northwest Maine still,” her avatar replied. “I traveled the whole winter. I was in Virginia, Georgia, Nashville and now I’m back in Maine.”

The ability to move and stay with the company helps Sanderson retain talented agents and employ-ees, he said. Employees who started with eXp in Bellingham have since moved to Everett, Seattle, Port Orchard and Las Vegas, but still work for eXp.

The cloud campus, which was upgraded in March to allow more people to use it, has an open-air amphitheater with space for 80.

Several times a week real estate professionals discuss trends in the amphitheater. Five skyscrapers have a variety of meeting spaces. The whole campus is surrounded by water and once Sanderson’s avatar gets to the beach, seagulls sound through his computer speakers.

At an investor kiosk, investors can see a live updated stock chart. eXp went public in 2013 so that agents and brokers could become stockholders, Sanderson said. Every agent who does a transaction with eXp gets a few shares of stock through the company’s revenue sharing program. They can get more shares by recruiting success-ful agents.

Despite eXp Realty’s success,

other real estate brands haven’t adopted the model. Sanderson thinks eXp Realty uses its cloud office more than any company in any industry. He wouldn’t say who makes the software, but even its developers don’t use it to the extent that eXp does, he said.

Established real estate companies would have a hard time adapting to the virtual office, Sanderson said. The median age of a realtor is 56, according to a 2014 study by the National Association of Realtors.

“Baby boomers weren’t born with technology,” Sanderson said. “You can’t take a legacy organiza-tion and send everyone home and say, you’re not coming to the office anymore, you’re going to log in

as an avatar. Fifty percent of their agents would leave because they’re so locked into that paradigm.”

A 2012 Swanepoel Trends Report, a yearly industry report, said there’s room in real estate for both brick and mortar offices and virtual offices. But reducing the amount of office space per agent is an industry trend and the virtual model does so most efficiently, the report said.

“It’s showing all the promise of being a powerful new innovation and eXp is leading that charge,” the report said.

EXP REALTY, FROM 14


“We’re starting to hit a little bit of a hockey stick curve in terms of growth because we’ve finally validated the virtual office.”

GLENN SANDERSONCEOEXP REALTY

How, where do you want the community to grow?

biawc.com 1650 Baker Creek Place, Bellingham, WA 98226 360-671-4247

May 2015By the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County

Brian Evans & Linda TwitchellBIAWC Staff

Do you want to expand or change Bellingham’s “Urban Growth Area” (UGA)?

Bellingham’s housing inventory is low and increasingly expensive. We’re running out of “buildable” land. Now the city is considering whether to expand its UGA, providing more space for future homes.

A UGA, usually just outside a city, is where the municipality says growth will occur during the next 20 years. But planners don’t think Bellingham’s UGA can accommodate expected growth.

The city’s preliminary commitment is to take 48 percent of Whatcom County’s growth in the coming 20-year planning period (2016-2036). City staff has told the Planning Commission that “with few exceptions, most of the remaining residentially-zoned land in the UGA has already been developed and, therefore, has little capacity to accommodate additional population growth.” After looking at what the city and UGA might support, planners figure we still need to find room for 3,000 people. (That assumes full build-out of Barkley Village and Fairhaven, and partial build-out of the city’s 5 other urban villages, using figures based on each’s adopted Master Plan, market factors and factors like required cleanup in Old Town or the Waterfront.)

How do we plan for those 3,000 people? The county and its cities are required by state law to “accommodate” expected growth. We can’t just shut the door.

They could be housed in part through infill – building homes on lots that aren’t yet developed, redeveloping portions of existing neighborhoods or allowing more accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in established neighborhoods. But even if ADU rules were more flexible,

they could handle only a modest number of people. And the remaining lots in Bellingham are not easily buildable, many have critical area concerns (wetlands, steep slopes, etc.) that make construction expensive.

The biggest challenge to infill, however, is that virtually every neighborhood association in Bellingham opposes it. People are now testifying to City Council about the extreme value of residential gardening, residential open space, zoning that supports big lots, or the notion that one house should not shadow another (we have building height restrictions – this is different). In short, Bellingham is a city of NIMBYs. Sure, we want to limit sprawl, but don’t put that growth in my backyard. And we have a City Council that caves to that argument every time, even to the point of turning down developments that clearly meet Comp Plan goals and are not set in the middle of existing neighborhoods.

OK. Other options? Denser zoning could be approved in the existing UGA or recently-annexed areas. (Where presumably there is less organized opposition to infill?) But if the UGA is already built out, how many would that help?

More urban villages, areas of dense urban development, have been suggested. Typically these involve multi-story apartments or condos (which have become increasingly difficult to finance). Urban villages have been the city’s major answer to accommodating growth, but they haven’t resolved our housing problems. And they can’t be our only option.

City staff touts the fact that about half the housing units built in Bellingham in the past 10 years or so have been multi-family units, suggesting this proves a demand for multi-family dwellings. And you’ll hear about the low vacancy rate downtown – what they’re

not saying is that the same low vacancy rate applies everywhere in Bellingham. Does all this show a “demand” for multi-family housing? Or does it prove that many have to rent because they can’t find or afford single-family homes?

According to National Association of Realtors and National Association of Home Builders research, more than 70 percent want single-family homes -- a dependence on urban villages bets on just the opposite. We can’t even count on retirees to fill urban villages – city staff quotes the AARP saying 90 percent of America’s Boomers want to “age in place” in their homes.

People can’t be forced into apartments or condos; Bellingham needs a variety of housing forms or people will build and buy homes elsewhere. Twice in recent years, the building permits issued for single-family homes in Ferndale (population 13,000) have exceeded the number issued in Bellingham (population 82,000). Once, the permits in Lynden exceeded those in Bellingham. If Bellingham can’t offer what residents want, they go elsewhere.

Should Whatcom County’s real growth area be in Ferndale and Lynden? Bellingham is the county’s official “urban center,” but it could target a lower share of the county’s population. There’s no reason people can’t live in our smaller cities, particularly if those cities are attracting businesses like the new cold-storage facility being built in Lynden.

If we want to keep people in Bellingham, however, the city needs land and rules that support a variety of housing options. And Bellinghamsters need to realize that change can be good; our sacred “neighborhood character” certainly won’t stay the same if housing becomes so limited that only the rich can afford homeownership.

Bellingham’s UGA could be expanded. The city isn’t landlocked to the north. And expansion doesn’t mean we’d “lose farmland.” Whatcom County has 80,000 acres of designated agricultural resource land, very little of it on the outskirts of Bellingham. “Rural” land is a different matter. The Growth Management Act defines “rural” as the transition area between urban and resource lands, a natural place for some expansion. We also have some undeveloped acreage in town – although Bellingham hesitates to extend utilities where doing so would require expensive upgrades in the infrastructure that services those areas.

Or – UGA boundaries could change. Remove unbuildable land (restricted by wetlands, etc.). Substitute land that can actually support homes and/or commercial development.

Let us not forget commercial development. You can’t have homes, or much of anything else, without jobs. Whatcom County as a whole is woefully short of commercial sites. Companies are going to Skagit County or Spokane because they can’t find what they need here. City staff ’s memo on the UGA discussion says nothing about commercially zoned land. But without it, we will be stuck with the minimum wage jobs produced by an economy that’s increasingly dependent on retail sales, tourism and agriculture. That will lead to a community of renters, of haves and have-nots.

What kind of community do you want in the next 20 years? Bellingham’s Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7. If you’re concerned about space for commercial or residential growth, now is the time to consider the options and speak up. Or e-mail your comments to [email protected].


Public RecordsBUSINESS LICENSESListings, which feature both new and renewed licenses in Bellingham, include business name, licensee name and the business’ physical address. Records are obtained from the City of Bellingham. 4 Color Flyers, Harbor Holdings Group Llc, 3 Rocky Ridge Dr., Bellingham, WA.A To Z Yard And Exterior Maintenance Llc, A To Z Yard And Exterior Maintenance Llc, 3532 Skylark Loop, Bellingham, WA.Aaron David Lebovitz, Aaron David Lebovitz, 4580 Lost Creek Ln, Bellingham, WA.Abby’s Cleaning Service, Dina Abigail Amezquita-De Ortiz, 2284 Yew Street Rd Trlr E4, Bellingham, WA.Abcdance, Tabetha Clark, 4514 E Oregon St., Bellingham, WA.Ace Home Repair, Steven Howard Tatom, 1014 W Smith Rd. Trlr 13, Bellingham, WA.Adams Vintage Import Auto Parts, Adams Vintage Import Auto Parts Llc, 4711 Sand Rd., Bellingham, WA.Advanced Powering Services, Inc., Advanced Powering Services, Inc., 85 Spieden Pl., Bellingham, WA.Ahead Vacation Rentals, Ahead Vacation Rentals, Llc, 2600 Donovan Ave., Bellingham, WA.All Temp Soft Covers, All Temp Soft Covers Llc, 2112 Verona St., Bellingham, WA.Amber Mountain Studios, Amber Mountain Studios Inc., 2885 Lake Whatcom Blvd, Bellingham, WA.Anastasia Doyle, Llc,, Anastasia Doyle, Llc, 259 W Bakerview Rd Apt 307, Bellingham, WA.Anatoliy Gorun, Anatoliy Gorun, 335 Meadowbrook Ct. Apt. 206, Bellingham, WA.Animalia, Jennifer Ann Ladd, 375 W Lake Samish Dr., Bellingham, WA.Apollo Ventures, Llc, Apollo Ventures, Llc, 2702 Nevada St., Bellingham, WA.Ashmore Acres, Llc, Ashmore Acres, Llc, 5956 Guide Meridian, Bellingham, WA.Aspire Adventure Running, Aspire Adventure Running Llc, 3233 Pinewood Ave., Bellingham, WA.Audra Lee Photography, Audra Lee Mercille, 2116 G St., Bellingham, WA.Authentic Aztec Cuisine, Authentic Aztec Cuisine, 702 Kentucky St # 547, Bellingham, WA.B&J Trucking Nw, Llc, B&J Trucking Nw, Llc, 4239 Stone Crest Ct., Bellingham, WA.Basic Cleaning Plus, Basic Cleaning Plus Llc, 1106 W Holly St Apt C7, Bellingham, WA.Beauty Boutique, Beauty Boutique, 103 E Holly St Ste 207, Bellingham, WA.Bellingham Aerial Media, Llc, Bellingham Aerial Media, Llc, 3650 Westhills Pl, Bellingham, WA.Bellingham Blow-Dry & Beauty Bar, Llc, Bellingham Blow-Dry & Beauty Bar, Llc, 206 W. Magnolia St., Bellingham, WA.Bellingham Massage Clinic Pllc, Bellingham Massage Clinic Pllc, 119 N Commercial St. Ste 410, Bellingham, WA.Bellingham Mobile Detail, Sheldon Lycan, 1118 N. Forest St. Apt 304, Bellingham, WA.Best Buds Collective Gardens, Best Buds Collective Gardens, 2518 Meridian St., Bellingham, WA.Blankenship’s Golden Treasures, Nicholas Dean Blankenship, 2107 Michigan St., Bellingham, WA.Blue Ridge Building Llc, Blue Ridge Building, L.L.C., 2460 Lakeway Dr Bldg Llc, Bellingham, WA.Booked & Filed, Inc, Booked & Filed, Inc., 60 N Point Dr., Bellingham, WA.Brennan Gilbert Psyd, Brennan Gilbert, 1112 11th St Ste 301, Bellingham, WA.Brite-Way Window Service, Luke Allen Frontczak, 826 Queen St., Bellingham, WA.C.C. Marketing, C.C. Marketing Llc, 2724 W Crestline Dr., Bellingham, WA.Carla A Lee, Carla A Lee, 2212 Elizabeth St., Bellingham, WA.Cascadia Productions, Inc., Cascadia Productions, Inc., 1870 Emerald Lake Way, Bellingham, WA.Coast Mountain Holdings Llc, Coast Mountain Holdings Llc, 2416 Dean Ave., Bellingham, WA.Coast Mountain Support Services, Coast Mountain Support Services Llc, 2416 Dean Ave, Bellingham, WA.Common Sense Inspections, Common Sense

Inspections Inc., 3780 Beazer Rd, Bellingham, WA.Cr Technologies, Jesse Elkins Jack Elkins, 2435 Strider Ln Ste 104, Bellingham, WA.Cruisin Cuts, Leroy Jay Meeboer, 314 E Holly St., Bellingham, WA.Darcy Riggins-Schmidt, Darcy Anne Riggins-Schmidt, 2820 Lyle St., Bellingham, WA.Date And Paint Llc, Date And Paint Llc, 4071 Hannegan Rd, Bellingham, WA.Dc Sourcing, Dahvid C Hill, 1717 Iron St., Bellingham, WA.Design 209 Llc, Design 209 Llc, 209 Prospect St., Bellingham, WA.Don K Alper & Associates, Don Keith Alper, 1030 15th St., Bellingham, WA.Donna James Photography, Donna Lynne James, 1306 Cornwall Ave Ste 212, Bellingham, WA.Dubow Environmental Consulting, Tami Joy Dubow, 4255 Van Horn Ln., Bellingham, WA.Duo Consulting, Llc, Duo Consulting, Llc, 1313 E Maple St., Bellingham, WA.Dy Transport Llc, Dy Transport Llc, 3745 Canterbury Ln Apt 93, Bellingham, WA.E Fish Company, E Fish Company, 1798 Swamp Creek Ln, Bellingham, WA.EJM Bookkeeping Services, EJM Bookkeeping Services, Llc., 1155 N State St. Ste 417, Bellingham, WA.ESS Support Services, Statewide Services, Inc., 629 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA.Fairhaven Capital Advisors, Llc, Ims Migration Services, Llc, 1200 Old Fairhaven Pkwy, Bellingham, WA.Favinger Leasing , Llc, Favinger Leasing, Llc, 1700 Kentucky St., Bellingham, WA.Flex Auto Sales Llc, Flex Auto Sales Llc, 4770 Pacific Highway, Bellingham, WA.Flourish, Megan Rose Mailhot, 2736 Northwest Ave., Bellingham, WA.Fresh Space Redesign, Fresh Space Redesign, 3000 Alderwood Ave., Bellingham, WA.Genevieve Wohlford, N.D., Pllc, Genevieve Wohlford, N.D., Pllc, 214 N Commercial St Ste 102, Bellingham, WA.Gies Associates, Llc, Gies Associates, Llc, 2915 Newmarket St. Ste 105, Bellingham, WA.Gizmo’s IT Solutions, Gizmo’s IT Solutions, 601 Linden Rd., Bellingham, WA.Green Cleaning By Amy, Amy Renee Eardley, 1255 Lakeview St., Bellingham, WA.Greenleaf & Blueberry, Greenleaf & Blueberry Llc., 1764 Old Samish Rd., Bellingham, WA.Groceryworks.Com, Groceryworks.Com Operating Company, 1275 E Sunset Dr., Bellingham, WA.Hair By Laurie Llc, Hair By Laurie Llc, 868 S Hills Dr., Bellingham, WA.Happy House Cleaning, Happy House Cleaning Llc, 2207 Yew St., Bellingham, WA.Harjit K Dhaliwal, Harjit K Dhaliwal, 4071 Home Rd., Bellingham, WA.Harrington-Verona Storage, Llc, Harrington-Verona Storage, Llc, 2112 Verona St., Bellingham, WA.Heal With Happiness, Heal With Happiness, 1010 N Garden St Apt 4, Bellingham, WA.Healthit, Inc., Healthit, Inc., 5 Tee Pl, Bellingham, WA.Healthspace USA, Healthspace USA Inc., 114 W. Magnolia St., Bellingham, WA.Horseshoe Cafe, Step 3, Inc, 113 E Holly St., Bellingham, WA.Hydro-Care International Inc., Hydro-Care International Inc., 4290 Pacific Hwy Ste D, Bellingham, WA.Hydrographic Design Technology, Hydrographic Design Technology, 4053 Gloria Ln, Bellingham, WA.Idea Wheel, William Francis Tierney Iv, 7 Huckleberry Ct, Bellingham, WA.Idiot Cookies, Llc, Idiot Cookies, Llc, 1109 Douglas Ave., Bellingham, WA.Illumine Endowment Fundation, Illumine Endowment Foundation, 2720 Undine Pl, Bellingham, WA.Interurban History, Interurban History, 2097 Wildflower Ct, Bellingham, WA.Jack & Jules Productions, Kyle Matthew Logghe, 717 12th St., Bellingham, WA.Jackie Ralston, Lmp, Jacqueline Ralston, 1012

Dupont St., Bellingham, WA.Janet Schlenkerman, Janet L Schlenkerman, 1022 17th St. Unit A, Bellingham, WA.Judi WAllis Nason, Judi WAllis Nason, 2201 Lummi Shore Rd., Bellingham, WA.Kaman Fluid Power, Llc, Kaman Fluid Power, Llc, 4125 Bakerview Spur, Bellingham, WA.Karma Painting, Llc, Karma Painting, Llc, 5925 Noon Rd., Bellingham, WA.Kassandra Marie Photography, Kassandra Marie Caseria, 885 Palmer Rd., Bellingham, WA.Katie Marie Photography, Katie Marie Goodsell, 2705 Superior St.,Bellingham, WA.Kentucky & Toledo Property, Llc, Kentucky & Toledo Property, Llc, 1700 Kentucky St., Bellingham, WA.Kerstin Martin Web Design, Kerstin Martin Llc, 1140 10th Street Ste 222, Bellingham, WA.Kira Cul’tofay, Kira Larock, 1225 E Sunset Dr Ste 145 #580, Bellingham, WA.Kramer Concrete Construction Inc., Kramer Concrete Construction Inc., 4717 Bevan St., Bellingham, WA.Laura M Hansen, Laura M Hansen, 2951 Goshen Rd., Bellingham, WA.Lavish Chair Covers, Rachel Ann Frere, 12 Little Strawberry Ln, Bellingham, WA.Lindy Nicole Mcclymont, Lindy Nicole Mcclymont, 118 E Magnolia St., Bellingham, WA.Lisa Mcshane, Lisa Mcshane, 1451 Grant St., Bellingham, WA.Little Bugs, Monica Renay Padilla, 2400 Yew St., Bellingham, WA.Lucita Sail Charters, Henry Muska, Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham, WA.Lynne Oulman, Lynne Oulman, 816 14th St., Bellingham, WA.M. J. Doherty, Pllc, M. J. Doherty, Pllc, 804 12th St., Bellingham, WA.Me Jane Coffee Llc, Me Jane Coffee Llc, 2377 Coyote Creek Dr., Bellingham, WA.Metscher Enterprises, Kaitlyn Ann Metscher, 1118 N Forest St Apt 103, Bellingham, WA.Mind Body Spirit Fusion Union, Mind Body Spirit Fusion Union, Llc, 215 W Holly St Ste G6, Bellingham, WA.Motel 6 #44, G6 Hospitality Property Llc, 3701 Byron St., Bellingham, WA.Mothers Nature Nw, Dale H Fearing, 2218 Erie St., Bellingham, WA.Mount Baker Bicycle Club, Mount Baker Bicycle Club, 1999 30th St., Bellingham, WA.Mueller Industrial Design, Mueller Industrial Design L.L.C., 4260 Lakeway Dr., Bellingham, WA.Nisha Chopra, Nisha Chopra, 902 N State St Ste 102, Bellingham, WA.Northwest Passage Yachts, Inc., Northwest Passage Yachts, Inc., 2551 Roeder Ave., Bellingham, WAOliva Gift Company Llc, Oliva Gift Company Llc, 2950 Newmarket St., Bellingham, WA.Oliver Noble Alexander, Oliver N Alexander, 1510 E Sunset Dr.,Bellingham, WA.Opus On Stage, Opus On Stage, 114 W Holly St., Bellingham, WA.Pablos Lawn Maintenance, Pablo Hernandez Selvin, 3337 Redwood Ave., Bellingham, WA.Pacific Computing Systems Llc, Pacific Computing Systems Llc, 1840 Valencia St., Bellingham, WA.Parker Northwest, Llc Parker Northwest, Llc, 3910 Bakerview Spur, Bellingham, WA.Peak Analytics Laboratory Testing Services, Llc., Peak Analytics Laboratory Testing Services, Llc., 5373 Guide Meridian Ste F201, Bellingham, WA.Peanut Case, Peanut Case Llc, 1417 Alabama St., Bellingham, WA.Pedal Party Nw, Inc., Pedal Party Nw, Inc., 501 Meador Ave Ste 106, Bellingham, WA.Phe-Ball Wintergreen, Phe-Ball Wintergreen Llc, 4238 Wintergreen Cir Apt 181, Bellingham, WA.Pink Nail, Huong T Nguyen, 1304 Lakeway Dr., Bellingham, WA.Plick’s Flicks, Katherine Ann Hall Plick, 2519 Nevada St., Bellingham, WA.Purely Serene YBR, Purely Serene YBR Llc, 1217 Carolina St., Bellingham, WA.

Quartz Cove Llc, Quartz Cove Llc, 2950 Newmarket St., Bellingham, WA.Roger M. Brown Consulting, Roger Millard Brown, 3603 Sylvan Pl., Bellingham, WA.Rrr Home/Office Organization & Design, Rrr Home/Office Organization & Design Inc, 201 Sudden Valley Dr., Bellingham, WA.Sanchez Fisheries Inc., Sanchez Fisheries Inc, 1713 Mill Ave., Bellingham, WA.Saturna Environmental Corporation, Saturna Environmental Corporation, 1300 N State St., Bellingham, WA.Sb Painting, Sean Matthew Binggeli, 1517 Texas St., Bellingham, WA.SDC, Stop Drop & Clean Llc, 2621 Madrona St., Bellingham, WA.Shirlee Bird Cafe, Llc, Shirlee Bird Cafe, Llc, 1200 Harris Ave. Ste 101, Bellingham, WA.Sierra Landscape Services Llc, Sierra Landscape Services Llc, 591 E Bakerview Rd., Bellingham, WA.Skyline Advisors, Skyline Advisors, Inc, 405 32nd St Ste 201, Bellingham, WA.Solomon Travel Agency, Robert Solomon, 6097 Roberts Rd.,Bellingham, WA.Squalicum Builders Llc, Squalicum Builders Llc, 2422 E Bakerview Rd., Bellingham, WA.Statement Apparel, Llc, Statement Apparel, Llc, 2945 Newmarket St Ste 107, Bellingham, WA.Stellar Galaxy Llc, Stellar Galaxy Llc, 1814 Texas St Apt 27, Bellingham, WA.Stryka Media, Eric Dobbs, 2916 Walnut St., Bellingham, WA.Subdued Excitement Ltd, Subdued Excitement Ltd, 310 W Illinois St., Bellingham, WA.Thc Plexus, Caline J Bruyn, 1053 Sehome Ave., Bellingham, WA.The Biomimicry Institute, The Biomimicry Institute, 2712 Franklin St., Bellingham, WA.The Foundry, The Foundry Llc, 500 Carolina St., Bellingham, WA.The Kona Bike Shop, Kona Usa, Inc., 1622 N State St., Bellingham, WA.Thejewelrystop.Com, Thejewelrystop.Com Llc, 4565 Curtis Rd., Bellingham, WA.Tim Manzo, Tim Manzo, 811 Eldridge Ave., Bellingham, WA.Tkk Communications and Services, Tkk Communications and Services, 73 Polo Park Dr., Bellingham, WA.Today’s Masonry, Today’s Masonry Llc, 157 Harbor View Dr., Bellingham, WA.Tommy Jordan, Thomas J Couling, 302 Flora St Apt 3, Bellingham, WA.Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy, Beautiworks Washington, Llc., 1411 Railroad Ave., Bellingham, WA.Trunk & Limb Llc, Trunk & Limb Llc, 2638 Bay Shore Dr., Bellingham, WA.Ty Whitcomb, Ty Whitcomb, 1824 Northshore Dr., Bellingham, WA.Value 3d Print, Loren Alexander Mccleve, 3713 Seeley St., Bellingham, WA.Verdelux Licensing Llc, Verdelux Licensing Llc, 924 Kentucky St., Bellingham, WA.Waxman Training, Wendy Waxman, 2911 Patton St., Bellingham, WA.Whatcom Janitorial Llc, Whatcom Janitorial, Llc, 2602 Carolina Street Unit D4, Bellingham, WA.Willow B, Brandy Cheree Blecker, 1053 Northwest Ridge Ln, Bellingham, WA.WWU Properties, Llc, WWU Properties, Llc, 1329 N State St Ste 205, Bellingham, WA.Wyatt’s Lindy Hoppers, Wyatt’s Lindy Hoppers Llc, 2762 BroadWay St., Bellingham, WA.

BUILDING PERMITSIncludes commercial building activity in Bellingham with an estimated valuation listed at $10,000 or more. Records are obtained from the City of Bellingham’s Permit Center. Status updates on permits are available on the city’s website at http://pnw.cc/sVCen.3/16/15 to 3/20/15Issued permits2701 Nevada St., $60,413 for commercial: roof replacement for unheated storage building removal

of existing layers down to car decking install new OSB over decking with TPO on flat portion and laminate on pitched areas. Contractor: Nolan’s Roofing Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00104. 3/17/15.1701 Birchwood Ave., $38,000 for structural modifications to reinforce existing 83′ monopole wireless facility: addition of 3 bolted flange bridge stiffeners at 46′ level. Contractor: Sterling telecom and Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00089. 3/17/15.405 32nd St. 301 & 302, $70,000 for tenant improvement: construct new walls in an existing shell for new offices. Contractor: Dawson Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00082. 3/17/15.4041 Home Road, no listed value for commercial: remove man door and install new roll-up door. Contractor: Eagle Contracting/STL Building. Permit No.: BLD2015-00092. 3/18/15.409 York St., $23,000 for commercial alteration: remodel laundry room after fire. Contractor: Roosendaal Honcoop Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00087. 3/18/15.1224 N State St., no value listed for tenant improvement: construct new dressing room and convert old dressing room to office space. Contractor: Home Improvement Network. Permit No.: BLD2015-00097. 3/19/15.224 36th St., $85,000 for tenant improvement: interior remodel for dental office: Gentle Dental. Contractor: Am Ruyle LLC. Permit No.: BLD2014-00541. 3/19/15.2901 Squalicum Parkway CN ground floor, $289,000 for tenant improvement: interior non-patient care remodel of 1880 square feet. Contractor: The Franklin Corporation. Permit No.: BLD2014-00588. 3/20/15.4370 Tull Road, $25,350 for multifamily alteration: convert existing 845-square-foot recreation room into a dwelling unit and addition of three parking spaces: unit 106. Contractor: Oram Construction.Permit No.: BLD2014-00152. 3/20/15.Pending applicationsRF Western Washington University, $50,000 for commercial: convert storage bunker adjacent to recreation center into training room. Permit No.: BLD2015-00100. 3/16/15.1308 Northshore Drive, $80,000 for stormwater treatment facility including cast in place and block retaining walls. Permit No.: BLD2015-00101. 3/16/15.PA Western Washington University, $260,000 for commercial alteration: removal of existing roof/insulation system and install new roof/insulation system. existing roof drains to remain. Permit No.: BLD2015-00105. 3/17/15.615 N. Garden St., $800,000 for multifamily: new seven unit multifamily building. Permit No.: BLD2015-00102. 3/17/15.1251 Lincoln St., $37,000 for new stormwater detention vault. Contractor: Franklin Corporation. Permit No.: BLD2015-00107. 3/18/15.ES Western Washington University, $50,000 for educational: remodel existing metal/welding shop for new biomechanics lab on basement level. Permit No.: BLD2015-00106. 3/18/15.4105 Arctic Ave., $1,225,000 for commercial: new fuel station. Permit No.: BLD2015-00047. 3/18/15.4125 Arctic Ave., $16,975,000 for commercial: new retail warehouse and tire center. Permit No.: BLD2015-00046. 3/18/15.3929 Spur Ridge Lane 101, $40,000 for tenant improvement: interior demo, new kitchen and plumbing for marijuana growing: Mt. Baker Homegrown LLC. Permit No.: BLD2015-00081. 3/19/15.750 Lakeway Drive, $415,000 for tenant improvement: remodel of former video store for tire store: Discount Tire (amended 3/20/15 to relocate fire line). Permit No.: BLD2014-00550. 3/20/15.3/23/15 to 3/27/15Issued permits750 Lakeway Drive, $340,000 for tenant improvement: remodel of former video store for tire store: discount tire (amended 3/20/15 to relocate fire line). Contractor: Deacon Corp. of Washington. Permit No.: BLD2014-00550. 3/25/15.3500 Meridian St., $30,000 for commercial: awning addition off the rear of building and replacement of front entry doors. Contractor: Triple S Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00063. 3/27/15.

RECORDS, PAGE 19

The Bellingham Business Journal MAY 201518

Pending applications2612 W Maplewood Ave., $50,000 for tenant improvement: 850-square-foot addition to existing market. Permit No.: BLD2015-00118. 3/23/15.1125 N Garden St., $838,000 for new four-unit apartment building. Permit No.: BLD2015-00116. 3/23/15.4060 Meridian St., $28,000 for tenant improvement: demo of non-bearing wall and change of occupancy. Contractor: Scoboria Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00122. 3/24/15.635 Telegraph Road, $20,000 for construction of new stormwater detention vault to serve 635 and 655 Telegraph Road. Contractor: Palakika2 LLC. Permit No.: BLD2015-00062. 3/24/15.112 E Holly St., $150,000 for tenant improvement: interior remodel to provide ADA compliance. Exterior and interior work at recessed corner entry. Permit No.: BLD2015-00123. 3/25/15.RA Western Washington University, $50,000 for commercial: Convert storage bunker adjacent to rec. center into training room. Permit No.: BLD2015-00100. 3/26/15.4545 Cordata Parkway 1A, $25,000 for tenant improvement: interior remodel for new restroom and business office with small procedure room remodel: Pacific NW Urology. Permit No.: BLD2015-00124. 3/27/15.1905 N State St., $46,000 for commercial: Storage rack installation: NAPA Auto Parts. Permit No.: BLD2015-00073. 3/27/15.Demolition permitsNone reported with a calculated value of $10,000 or more.3/30/15 to 4/3/15Issued permitsPA Western Washington University, $105,176 for commercial: remodel existing classroom. Contractor: Regency NW Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00007. 3/30/15.FI Western Washington University, $147,295 for commercial: remodel and expand existing lecture room 238: fine arts, WWU. Contractor: Regency NW Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00006. 33/30/15.FA Western Washington University, $433,099 for commercial: remodel existing auditorium into a multipurpose room. Contractor: Regency NW Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00005. 3/30/15.ES Western Washington University, $208,174 for commercial: upgrades to classroom 318 environmental sciences, WWU. Contractor: Regency NW Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00004. 3/30/15.ET Western Washington University, $163,003 for commercial: expand and upgrade classroom 328: engineering technology. Contractor: Regency NW Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00001. 3/30/15.3929 Spur Ridge Lane 101, $40,000 for tenant improvement: interior demo, new kitchen and plumbing for marijuana growing: Mt. Baker Homegrown LLC. Permit No.: BLD2015-00081.1515 Cornwall Ave., $50,000 for tenant improvement: construct offices and conference room for new tenant with no change to the exterior. Contractor: Signature Maintenance. Permit No.: BLD2015-00099. 4/1/15.901 N Forest St., $17,000 for commercial repair: remove and reinstall approximately 100 square feet of brick veneer and make necessary repairs: work is taking place in front of unit 121. Contractor: Construction by Champion LLC. Permit No.: BLD2015-00135. 4/2/15.495 E Bakerview Road, $36,224 for commercial: cover over one layer TD roofing with single ply TPO membrane. Contractor: Topside roofing and construction. Permit No.: BLD2015-00134. 4/2/15.4545 Cordata Parkway 1A, $25,000 for tenant improvement: interior remodel for new restroom and business office with small procedure room remodel: Pacific NW urology. Contractor: The Franklin Corporation. Permit No.: BLD2015-00124. 4/3/15.HH Western Washington University, $1,127,541 for educational: renovation and modification of existing rooms and systems to create a digital video production studio and related rooms. Contractor: Regency NW Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00033.PH Western Washington University, $202,234 for educational: renovation and modification of existing rooms and systems to provide a new classroom. Contractor: Regency NW Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00002.Pending applications714 Ohio St., $285,000 for tenant improvement:

remodel former bakery wholesale/retail for paint wholesale retail tenant; includes two concrete pads for trash enclosure & delivery pad. Contractor: The Franklin Corporation. Permit No.: BLD2015-00045. 3/30/15.4825 Meridian St., $35,763 for commercial: install new TPO roofing system. Contractor: Hytech Roofing Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00130. 3/31/15.4277 Meridian St., $35,763 for commercial: install TPO membrane over top of existing roofing. Contractor: Hytech Roofing Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00129. 3/31/15.4265 Meridian St., $35,763 for commercial: install new TPO roofing system. Contractor: Hytech Roofing Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00128. 3/31/15.4291 Meridian St. $35,763 for commercial: install new TPO roofing system. Contractor: Hytech Roofing Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00127. 3/31/15.1710 Barkley Boulevard, $289,152 for commercial: new 3,000 square foot one-story shell building with covered drive thru lanes for future retail bank. Permit No.: BLD2015-00042. 3/31/15.923 W Holly St., $15,000 for tenant improvement: existing storage room to become ADA restroom. New interior walls to create new childcare space. Permit No.: BLD2015-00133. 4/1/15.2211 Queen St., $10,000 for commercial: construct wheel-chair ramp, deck and ADA bathroom for future tenant. Permit No.: BLD2015-00131. 4/1/15.3920 Affinity Lane, $85,000 for new swimming pool and spa. Contractor: Taylor industries Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00085. 4/2/15.4090 Meridian St., $27,504 for tenant improvement: interior renovations to create a private consult room adjacent to pharmacy: Walgreens. Permit No.: BLD2015-00136. 4/3/15.1251 Lincoln St., $37,000 for new stormwater detention vault. Contractor: The Franklin Corporation. Permit No.: BLD2015-00107. 4/3/15.Demolition permitsNone reported with a calculated value of $10,000 or more.4/6/15 to 4/10/15Issued permits1905 N State St., $46,000 for commercial: storage rack installation: NAPA Auto parts. Permit No.: BLD2015-00073. 4/6/15.4277 Meridian St. 104, $150,000 for tenant improvement: minor demolition, new partitions, interior finishes, plumbing and mechanical: America’s Best Contacts & Eye. Permit No.: BLD2014-00585. 4/6/15.4285 Meridian St., $35,763 for commercial: install new 60 mil TPO roofing system over existing built-up roofing. Contractor: Hytech Roofing Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00130. 4/7/15.4277 Meridian St., $35,763 for commercial: install new 60 mil TPO roofing system over existing built-up roofing. Contractor: Hytech Roofing Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00129. 4/7/15.4265 Meridian St., $35,763 for commercial: install new 60 mil TPO roofing system over existing built-up roofing. Contractor: Hytech Roofing Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00128. 4/7/15.4291 Meridian St., $35,763 for commercial: install new 60 mil TPO roofing system over existing built-up roofing. Contractor: Hytech Roofing Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00127. 4/7/15.218-228 N Samish Way, $207,563 for commercial: new single story commercial building with two tenant spaces. Permit No.: BLD2014-00529. 4/7/15.ES Western Washington University, $50,000 for educational: remodel existing metal/welding shop for new biomechanics lab on basement level. Permit No.: BLD2015-00106. 4/8/15.1155 E Sunset Drive 118, $40,000 for commercial repair: reconstruct front entry posts and beams damaged by rot and replacement of exterior stucco. Contractor: Henifin Construction LLC, Permit No.: BLD2014-00590. 4/9/15.Pending applications4105 Arctic Ave., $1,225,000 for commercial: new fuel station. Permit No.: BLD2015-00047. 4/6/15.4125 Arctic Ave., $16,975,000 for commercial: new retail warehouse and tire center. Permit No.: BLD2015-00046. 4/6/15.2900 Woburn St., $30,000 for tenant improvement: extend existing CMU walls for exterior seating and infill existing metal canopy. Permit No.: BLD2015-00141. 4/7/15.4210 Meridian St., $119,000 for tenant improvement: combine suites for new retail mattress store. Permit No.: BLD2015-00140. 4/7/15.2122 Barkley Boulevard, $119,000 for tenant improvement: reconfigure second floor office space for new tenant. Permit No.: BLD2015-00142. 4/8/15.

4060 Meridian St., $28,000 for tenant improvement: demo non-bearing walls and change of occupancy from auto repair to retail. Contractor: Scoboria Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00122. 4/8/15.1015 Girard St., $50,000 for tenant improvement: repair existing building, renovate exterior, divide space into two, and add bathroom and heating system. Permit No.: BLD2015-00147. 4/10/15.Cordata Park, $65,000 for installation of premanufactured bridge over a stream as part of new trail between Cordata Park and Cordata Elementary School. Permit No.: BLD2015-00145. 4/10/15.Demolition permitsNone reported with a calculated value of $10,000 or more.4/13/15 to 4/17/15Issued permits1251 Lincoln St., $37,000 for new stormwater detention vault. Contractor: The Franklin Corporation. Permit No.: BLD2015-00107. 4/13/15.935 14th St., $30,000 for commercial: replace existing retaining wall. Contractor: Tiger Construction Ltd. Permit No.: BLD2015-00037. 4/13/15.923 W. Holly St., $15,000 for tenant improvement: existing storage room to become ADA restroom. New interior walls to create new childcare space for up to five children. Contractor: Deyoung and Roosma Construction. Permit No.: BLD2015-00133. 4/14/15.1270 Barkley Boulevard, $289,152 for commercial: new 3,000 square foot one-story shell building w/ covered drive thru lanes for future retail bank. Contractor: Corstone Contractors LLC. Permit No.: BLD2015-00042. 4/14/15.RF Western Washington University, $50,000 for commercial: convert storage bunker adjacent to rec. center into training room. Permit No.: BLD2015-00100. 4/15/15.2900 Woburn St., $30,000 for tenant improvement: extend existing CMU walls for exterior seating and infill existing metal canopy. Contractor: Woodman Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2015-00141. 4/16/15.1 Bellis Fair Parkway 310, $60,000 for commercial: finish and fixture upgrades for existing retail tenant. Contractor: Horizon Retail Construction Inc., Permit No.: BLD2015-00095. 4/17/15.Pending applicationsNA Western Washington University, $124,000 for commercial: repair sections of existing roof and make weatherization improvements: Nash Hall. Permit No.: BLD2015-00152. 4/13/15.760 W. Bakerview Road, $2,428,024 for new four-story multifamily building: Building C. Permit No.: BLD2015-00150. 4/13/15.760 W. Bakerview Road, $4,263,197 for new four-story multifamily building: Building B. Permit No.: BLD2015-00149. 4/13/15.760 W. Bakerview Road, $2,582,299 for new four-story multifamily building: Building A. Permit No.: BLD2015-00148. 4/13/15.400 36th St., $22,500 for commercial: replace ceiling hung bike rack and replace stock shelving with boat storage rack. Tenant: REI. Permit No.: BLD2015-00154. 4/14/15.1030 Lakeway Drive, $400,000 for commercial: add new exterior entry vestibule, replace grocery store front and skylights. Contractor: The Franklin Corporation. 4/15/15.635 Telegraph Road, $182,935 for new single story three-unit multifamily building. Permit No.: BLD2015-00065. 4/15/15.468 W. Horton Road, $126,000 for commercial: installation of walk-in freezer with racking inside and outside of freezer. Permit No.: BLD2015-00157. 4/16/15.1251 Lincoln St. 101, $75,000 for tenant improvement: new office. Permit No.: BLD2015-00094. 4/17/15.

LIQUOR AND MARIJUANA LICENSESRecords include license activity in Whatcom County. They are obtained from the Washington State Liquor Control Board, online at www.liq.wa.gov.3/25/15 to 4/23/15Recently approvedNorthwest fresh Deli, at 310 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, WA 98225, received approval on an addition/change of tradename to a license to sell beer and wine in a grocery store. License No.: 078194. 4/23/15.Majestic Dharma Forest, at 1027 N Forest St., Bellingham, WA 98225, received approval on a new nonprofit arts organization license. License No.: 407647. 4/21/2015.

Fairhaven Pizza, at 1307 11th St., Bellingham, WA 98225, received approval for an assumption to a license to operate as a direct shipment receiver (in Washington only). License No.: 080359. 4/17/15.Maple Falls Spirits, at 470 W. 2nd St. Unit 110, Sumas, WA 98295, received approval on a new license to manufacture liquor. License No.: 418690. 4/13/15.Cannagenesis, at 5473 Guide Meridian Road Lot A, Bellingham, WA 98226, received approval on a new license to operate as a tier 3 marijuana producer. License No.: 413380. 4/8/15.Green Stop, at 7466 Mt. Baker Highway, Maple Falls, WA 98266, received approval on added fees to a marijuana retailer license. License No.: 413801. 4/7/15.Drizzle Olive Oil and Vinegar, at 1208 11th St. Unit B, Bellingham, WA 98225, received approval on a new direct shipment receiver (in Washington only) license. License No.: 419016. 4/6/15.Crescendo Chocolate, at 4055 Hammer Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226, received approval on added fees to a marijuana processor license. License No.: 412617. 3/31/15.New license applicationsLynden Chevron, G tp G corporation; Jin S. Su applied for an assumption to a license to sell beer and wine in a grocery store at 8195 Guide Meridian, Lynden, WA 98264. License No.: 080245. 4/14/15.Neto’s Market and Bakery, Ernesto Garcia-Apreza and Petra Apreza applied for an addition to a license to sell spirits, beer and wine in a restaurant and service bar at 2612 W. Maplewood Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225. License No.: 401801. 4/14/15.Lynden Wine & Spirits, Jeremy Aaron Lott, Jennifer Rebecca Marion, and Evan Hale Samsill, applied for a new license to operate as a direct shipment receiver, and sell beer, wine, spirits, kegs and growlers in a specialty shop at 610 Front St., Lynden, WA 98264. License No.: 078551. 4/13/15.Maple Falls Cafe, Maple Falls Inc; Tiago Hassan applied for a new license for off-premises wine sales and to serve spirits, beer and wine in a restaurant and lounge at 9990 Mt. Baker Highway, Deming, WA 98224. License No.: 076246. 4/10/15.Whatcom County Museum Foundation, nonprofit arts organization, applied for a new license for 250 Flora St., Bellingham, WA 98225. License No.: 405020. 4/10/15.La Gloria Market, La Gloria Market Inc; Petra and Ernesto Apreza applied for a new license to receive direct shipments; to sell beer and wine in a grocery store; to operate as a wine retailer reseller; and to hold beer and wine tastings at 4739 Guide Meridian, Bellingham, WA 98226. License No.: 4/9/15.Horseshoe Cafe, Step 3 Inc., applied for an assumption to a license to operate as a direct shipment receiver and sell spirits, beer and wine in a restaurant and lounge at 113 E. Holly St. Bellingham, WA 98225. License No.: 355757. 4/8/15.Nisha Chopra, Karunesh and Nisha Chopra applied for a new license to sell beer and wine in a grocery store at 902 N. State St. Suite 102, Bellingham, WA 98225. License No.: 419311. 4/8/15.Taste of India, Gandham Enterprizes LLC; Davinder and Kewal Gandham applied for a new license to serve beer and wine in a restaurant at 3930 Meridian St. Suite 107, Bellingham, WA 98226. License No.: 072758. 3/31/15.Discontinued licensesNo licenses were discontinued during this time period.

FEDERAL TAX LIENSTax liens of $5,000 or more issued by the Internal Revenue Service. Listings include taxpayer name(s), lien amount, document number and filing date. Records are obtained locally from the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office.Blaine Seafoods Inc, $37,913.25, 2150302403, 3/24/15.Friberg Construction Co Inc, $54,192.35, 2150303148, 3/30/15.Dykstra Construction Services LLC, $13,258.97, 2150303149, 3/30/15.Reference Media Inc, $14,847.38, 2150303552, 3/31/15.Pioneer Woodworking, $5,978.21, 2150303553, 3/31/15.Construction by Champion LLC, $19,738.93, 2150400635. 4/7/15.Charles Eldon Rier, $12,414.97, 2150400637, 4/7/15.Terry A Wolff, $26,433.53, 2150400638, 4/7/15.Michael and Betty Kennard, $87,080.32, 2150400647, 4/7/15.Connec t Communic ations, $18,669.36, 2150401249, 4/13/15.

David L Dame, $59,067.38, 2150401935, 4/20/15.Thomas J Fisher, $7,880.80, 2150401936, 4/20/15.Luxe Thai Enterprise LLC, $12,567.39, 2150401937, 4/20/15.

RELEASE OF FEDERAL TAX LIENSJames Barrett, $72,148.79, 2150302345, 3/23/15.Left Coast Enterprises Inc, $110,202.69, 2150302346, 3/23/15.Melanie K McDaniel, $39,624.03, 2150303554, 3/31/15.Terry Bell, $24,658.68, 2150400640, 4/7/15.Carl A Dawson, $9,683.61, 2150400641, 4/7/15.Joel and Donna Engbrecht, $10,205.29, 2150400642, 4/7/15.Terry E Bell, $110,054.25, 2150400643, 4/7/15.Terry E Bell, $47,820.97, 2150400644, 4/7/15.Terry E Bell, $43,410.01, 2150400645, 4/7/15.Terry E Bell, $26,878.77, 21504007646, 4/7/15.Leo Day and Jennifer Allen-Day, $15,013.54, 2150401938, 4/20/15.Richard J & Caroline L Moyer, $14,007.92, 2150402270, 4/22/15.

STATE TAX JUDGMENTSTax judgments of $5,000 or more issued by Washington state government agencies and filed locally in Whatcom County Superior Court. Listings include taxpayer name(s), judgment amount, the state agency filing the judgment, originating case number and filing date. Judgments can later be lifted or paid; listings are only current as of their filing dates. Records are obtained from the Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk’s Office.El Amigo Mexican Restaurant Inc., $7,542.47, Dept. or Revenue, 15-2-00706-4, 4/21/15.International Autohaus LLC, $32,002.49, Dept. of Revenue, 15-2-00702-1, 4/20/15.Benjamin Vandenbossche, $108,216.67, Dept. of Revenue, 15-2-00703-0, 4/20/15.Benjamin Vandenbossche, $7,070.82, Dept. of Revenue, 15-2-00704-8, 4/20/15.William Blockley, $26,918.54, Labor & Industries, 15-2-00684-0, 4/16/15.Tristan Isely, $5,302.56, Dept. of Revenue, 15-2-00620-3, 4/6/15.Blair’s Repair, $5,069.47, Labor & Industries, 15-2-00628-9, 4/6/15.MTN Inc., $51,892.95, Labor & Industries, 15-2-00631-9, 4/7/15.MTN Inc., $6,277.83, Labor & Industries, 15-2-00632-7, 4/7/15.Ryan David Caillier, $6,733.65, Labor & Industries, 15-2-00634-3, 4/7/15.Baldovinos Landscaping, $5,610.12, Dept. of Revenue, 15-2-00586-0, 3/31/15.Varrus Consulting LLC, $5,509.65, Dept. of Revenue, 15-2-00588-6, 3/31/15.Rutledge Embroidery Corporation, $10,742.36, Dept. of Revenue, 15-2-00604-1, 4/1/15.Dickeys Barbecue Pit, $5,576.11, Dept. of Revenue, 15-2-00578-9, 3/30/15.Dickeys Barbecue Pit Ferndale, 49,298.41, Dept. of Revenue, 15-2-00579-7, 3/30/15.Horseshoe Cafe, $12,799.73, Dept. of Revenue, 15-2-00580-1, 3/30/15.Eugene Ince, $37,479.00, Dept. of Revenue, 15-2-00581-9, 3/30/15.JRG Distributing LLC, $11,234.55, Dept. of Revenue, 15-2-00558-4, 3/26/15.

BUSINESS BANKRUPTCIESWhatcom County business bankruptcies filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington.Chapter 7None reportedChapter 11Meridian-Pacific HWY LLC, estimated asset range: $1,000,0001 to 10 million; estimated liabilities: $1,000,0001 to 10 million; Case no.: 15-12515-MLB. Date filed: 4/23/15.Chapter 13None reported

RECORDS, FROM 18The Bellingham Business JournalMay 2015 19

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How to save for retirement when it seems like you can’tMost of us have been there: You may be

fresh out of college, in between jobs, rais-ing a family on one income or simply in a situation where you don’t have a lot of money at the end of the month. Here are five tips that may help you make the most with what you have, while helping to build habits that can continue to serve you in the future.

Starting Small is Better than not Start-ing at all

Big goals like buying a house, send-ing your kids to college, or retiring can be intimidating. It’s easy to look at a big number, become discouraged, and give up before you start. But more than likely, you are not going to look back and say, “I sure wish I’d waited longer to start work-ing towards that goal.” In fact, I hear the opposite quite often. Remember that even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step!

Don’t Buy Things you Don’t NeedWhether you make $25,000 a year or

$25,000 a month, make the decision to stop buying things you don’t need. You’ll have more money at the end of the month, more space in your home and you’ll be doing the environment a favor. Next time you’re considering a purchase, ask yourself: Do I need this? Will I use this? Do I have room for this? Can I afford this without a credit card?

Say yes to “Free” MoneyIf you work for an employer who offers

matching contributions to a qualified retirement plan, find a way to contribute

the required mini-mum to get the full match. Even if your employer’s contribu-tion seems small, it adds up and grows over time. Suppose you earn $45,000 per year and your employer offers a 1 percent match. If you work there for five years at the same salary, that would add up to $2,250 in employer contributions. If you started the job at age 20 and left at 25,

and your account earned 7 percent annual interest until you retired at age 65, that $2,250 employer contribution could grow to nearly $23,000 by the time you retire. Sound like a good deal now?

Don’t Forget Insurance!Do you think you can’t afford insurance?

If you’re in a tight position already, choos-ing the cheapest insurance – or not buying it in the first place – can seem like a good way to save money. Doing so, however, can have real risks and repercussions. Say you let your car insurance lapse and then get in an accident, or you choose to not take renters insurance and your home is broken into. Are you willing to take those chances? Take some time this month to review all your policies including medical

insurance as well as auto and homeowners/renters insurance. If you don’t understand your coverage or aren’t sure where to start, find an insurance agent who is willing to sit down with you, explain your current cover-age, and help you determine what is best for you.

Call a ProfessionalAre you still overwhelmed? You’re not

alone! Understanding your finances is a big challenge for many people, regardless of age or income. Consider working with a finan-cial advisor who can help you understand your options and determine the next step in pursuing your goals. If you’re pretty sure

your bases are covered, please share this article with a friend or family member who may benefit.

Nicole Burdick is a financial advisor with Waddell & Reed and can be reached at 360-734-4728.

Author’s note: This article is meant to be general in nature and should not be construed as investment or financial advice related to your personal situation. Investing involves risk and the potential to lose principal. Systematic investment plans do not ensure a profit nor guarantee against a loss in declining markets. Nicole

Burdick

On Financial Planning

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6The Bellingham Business Journal May 201522

Yesterday I was working by telephone with a young man who is a coaching client. In my opinion he is a uniquely talented manager; he’s rare in that he has a keen sense of what it takes to develop a staff that can function well or better without him. Most of my clients these days are younger than forty and I am finding more of them have an inherent understanding of the importance of and skills for staff develop-ment. Still, I find this belief uncommon in many workplaces.

The conversation we were having involved realizations my client had over the previous two weeks that some of the behaviors he was trying to alter were based on a false or at least no longer valid prem-ise. He characterized it as realizing he had been playing a joke on himself. This would be no small awakening for any of us.

Here’s a guy who has made the high potential list in his company (he probably would in most companies) and has been told there are some behaviors he exhibits that may hold him back. Sound familiar? He’s come to realize that his actions in some cases are driven by a false fear that is now so old it has become thoroughly justi-fied and cloaked in explanation. In another context we might say he was under the spell of a superstition.

The net of the work this client and I are

doing together is not so much to get him to stop doing what he has been doing. Rather, we have gotten him to a place where he now sees he has a choice about how he behaves. Now we get to see what he is really committed to!

Do you appreciate how hard it is for a successful person to unwire a pattern that has led to success in the past? You do if you’ve ever tried it yourself.

Now put yourself in another position. Imagine you are average Joe or Jolene and you are not on anyone’s high potential list. You are not aspiring to anything special. You like your work and the standard of liv-ing it affords you. Most of the time you are able to get your work done in a satisfactory fashion but sometimes you have to work with that person or that department and then it is a different story. You often get “uncomfortable” when you have to interact with that person and you don’t “feel wel-come” when you sit in on meetings with that department. In fact the emotions you experience in these situations are so pow-erful that even the thought of being in sim-ilar situations is enough to upset you. And around that person and that department your performance suffers. You don’t like it and your manager expresses frustration.

Fortunately you don’t need to be in the situations often. In fact, you go out of your

way to not be available for them. Unfortunately for you, not being on a high potential list, it is not likely you’ll have the benefit my young client has and you’ll continue to avoid these situa-tions. Too bad, as your behavior will not go unnoticed and will likely keep you from advancing or maybe assuming more challenging work.

Chances are good that if the data I have from Target Training International holds up—and so it has for me for more than 15 years—the vast majority, somewhere between 65-70 percent, of any given workforce is not motivated by strong negative emotions (think FEAR). In fact, they are often para-lyzed by the experience. Paralyzed as in not able to do what they know needs to be done. That is a lot of productivity that is at risk.

What are the warning signs to look out for?

As a manager, whether dealing with a direct report or someone you report to, when you hear phrases like:

“I am not comfortable with this!”“This doesn’t feel right to me!”“I don’t like the sounds of that!”You are dealing with fear disguised as

reason. Further proof will come as you attempt to provide a reasonable response. It will make no difference. Until the person you are addressing is able to identify their reaction as fear-based you have no hope of proceeding successfully.

It would be great for everyone concerned if you could become sensitized to the need each of your reports—and even your man-ager—have for someone to recognize the signs of paralysis by negative emotions.

It is not cool to even have emotions in the workplace much less own up to the fact they guide your behavior.

Mike Cook

On Managers & Employees

Mike Cook lives in Anacortes. His columns appear on BBJToday.com every other Tuesday. He publishes a semi-weekly blog at www.heartofengagement.com and also facilitates a monthly business book reading group at Village Books.

Negative emotions affect performance in the workplaceBusiness Toolkit

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Affordable plans for small business1

401(k)

You know it’s your people that make your company successful. They are the face your customers see. They are the architects who make your future a reality. They ensure your success. You have the vision to share the rewards of everyone’s work. Saturna Capital has the 401(k) plan to help make managing those rewards easier. Ask us how.

Please consider an investment’s objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. For free prospectuses, summary prospectuses, and brochures that contain this and other important information on Saturna’s no-load mutual funds and other investment products, please visit www.saturna.com or call toll-free 1-800-SATURNA. Please read the prospectuses, summary prospectuses, and brochures carefully before investing.

Distributor: Saturna Brokerage Services, member FINRA/SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Saturna Capital Corporation, 1300 North State Street, Bellingham, WA 98225.

1 $750 Annual Trust Fee (plus 0.25% of year end plan assets, with a 0.25% credit on year-end plan assets in affiliated mutual funds). Self-directed brokerage accounts subject to commissions on trades. Investments in mutual funds are subject to ongoing expenses. See a fund’s prospectus or summary prospectus for details.

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bellingham business journal, may 04, 2015

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