WWU’s CEV to restructure, refine focus

Western Washington University’s Center for Economic Vitality (CEV) is in the process of restructuring to coincide with a redefined focus brought on by a significant reduction in governmental funding support for the CEV. 


CEV Director Tom Dorr informed CEV staff on Tuesday of several changes, including transfer of some CEV functions to Western’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC). There also will be a few layoffs. Western’s Human Resources will offer its services to all affected staff.

Dorr stated that the CEV will be reorganizing its services over the next few months to support the community’s needs and WWU’s community outreach mission. Funding for CEV’s export services will continue to allow the no-cost support of Whatcom County and all Washington state businesses wanting to expand or start exporting relationships. Export services include technical assistance, research, matchmaking and trade show coordination.

For more than 25 years, the Center for Economic Vitality has enabled Western Washington University’s College of Business and Economics to give back to the business community and has helped to shape the economic future of our region one business at a time. The CEV has provided free, confidential business counseling and technical assistance combined with competitive intelligence research / economic gardening services and export assistance to over 6,000 business owners and managers throughout Washington state during that time.