Uptick seen in Whatcom County business startups

While the local economy remains troubled, it appears becoming a business owner is a growing trend in Whatcom County.

In the first nearly six months of 2011, I've spotted or written about 67 brick-and-mortar businesses that have opened or are getting ready to open. That's well ahead of 2010's pace, when I spotted 77 business openings for the entire year.