WWU's Center for Economic Vitality saved or created 200 jobs in Whatcom County in 2010

January 31, 2011

John Thompson

Office of University Communications

Western Washington University’s College of Business and Economics’ Center for Economic Vitality has announced its economic-impact figures for 2010. In Whatcom County:

  • The CEV assisted 421 local businesses in saving or creating over 200 jobs and helped clients in obtaining $13,581,836 in loans and new investments.
  • The staff provided 3,517 hours of in-depth counseling and research that resulted in approximately 8 hours per client.
  • The CEV helped leverage every dollar of local funding. For every dollar of local funding the CEV received, CEV clients generated 56 new dollars in new investment for Whatcom County.

“The CEV continues to emphasize new market opportunities for our businesses with expanded export assistance, access to conventional and alternative financing and innovative marketing strategies. While 2010 was a challenging year, I am happy to say our clients aren’t all about doom and gloom. Over one-third did better in 2010 than in 2009 and actually expanded their businesses,” said CEV director Tom Dorr.

From 1996-2010, CEV business strategists have helped 5,948 companies to stay in business or expand. Those clients, in turn, saved or created 4,945 jobs and generated over $181,504,733 in new capital investment in Whatcom County.

The business development counseling is free to businesses in Whatcom County due to the financial support of Western Washington University’s College of Business and Economics; Washington Department of Community Trade and Economic Development; Economic Development Administration; the Port of Bellingham; Whatcom County; City of Bellingham; City of Ferndale; City of Blaine; City of Lynden; City of Sumas; and private donations.

For more than 20 years, the Center for Economic Vitality (CEV) 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 Whatcom County one business at a time. The CEV provides free, confidential counseling and technical assistance combined with business intelligence research to business owners and managers throughout Whatcom County. For more information, go to http://cbe.wwu.edu/sbdc/index.shtml or call 360-733-4014.