Center for Economic and Business Research

Title Authored on Link to edit Content
Disney Institute coming to Lynnwood Jan. 23
The Disney Institute is bringing its renowned professional development course, Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence, to the Lynnwood Convention Center on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019.
 
Sponsored by Western Washington University and the Lynnwood…
2018-12-11
Import tariffs squeeze small businesses here and elsewhere

Small businesses are much more likely to be negatively affected than larger, more diversified businesses, which typically have deeper pockets and more flexibility to change their product mix, said James McCafferty, co-director of the Center for Economic and…

2018-12-03
Learn about San Juan County data, demographics with EDC

This year’s program, sponsored in part by Island Market and San Juan Propane, will include presentations by noted speakers James McCafferty, director of Western Washington University’s Center for Economic and Business Research; Dr. Anneliese Vance-…

2018-11-19
WWU, Lynnwood Chamber of Commerce to Co-Sponsor ‘Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence’ One-Day Course Jan. 23 2018-11-13
With the Bellingham Kmart closing, what does that mean for other retail stores?

One reason the national chain store closures have been relatively modest here is this market is relatively unique, said Hart Hodges, director at the 

2018-10-22
Online shoppers, here’s how you may be shifting city finances in Whatcom County

Overall retail sales have been climbing, but as a percentage, Blaine and other areas have been climbing faster. That could mean that some shoppers outside of Bellingham are redirecting a trip to the mall or other brick-and-mortar stores to an online source, said…

2018-08-27
Tax revenue increase driven by construction, vehicles

Construction projects and more motor vehicle purchases contributed to an about 9 percent increase in taxable retail sales in Skagit County for the first fiscal quarter of 2018, according to a Department of Revenue news release.

From January to March, sales were 8.8 percent greater than…

2018-08-17
Here’s how Bellingham residents stack up on credit card debt. It’s about to get worse

A couple of factors may be at work when it comes to rising credit card debt, said Hart Hodges, director at the 

2018-07-20
Costs Rise for Builders, Effects Ripple Through Town

Western Washington University Economics Professor Hart Hodges said there is not enough data to determine how much tariffs are to blame for cost increases. Demand is also a factor, as Cook said.

2018-06-20
If there is a trade war with Canada, what does it mean for Whatcom's economy?

If a trade war with Canada does ramp up, it will also impact the Whatcom economy in other ways, said James McCafferty, a director at the Center for Economic and Business Research at Western.

"Uncertainty in any business leads to all sorts of attempts at managing it," McCafferty said. "…

2018-06-01
Subscribe to Center for Economic and Business Research