WBA News
Navigating water and property rights in the state of Washington
originally published April 11, 2017— “Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink.” ― Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Washington State can feel like this sometimes. Though it seems abundant, water isn’t necessarily always available for use ― even for those who…
Read MoreBusiness flexibility is a major key to success
originally published April 10, 2017— In an era of turbulent markets, rapidly advancing technology and fickle consumer habits, the most successful businesses tend to be the most agile. Take Trayvax Enterprises, for example. Owner Mark King’s original vision was to create a better way to reuse plastic bags. But as he developed the product, he…
Read MoreRecent Decisions Severely Impact Property Owners
originally published March 27, 2017— By: Jim McKinney, Executive Director, Common Threads Northwest The WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL moratoriums on Cherry Point industrial growth and drilling previously exempt home-use wells have a dramatic impact on our economy and tax base. They cost businesses and individual property owners hundreds of millions of dollars. Because of the Council…
Read MoreStep Up for Business Advocacy: Update
originally published March 2017— Take Action to Support Cherry Point The saga continues! The Cherry Point Amendment to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan is being introduced to the full Council on Tuesday, March 21st with the anticipated vote scheduled for Tuesday, April 4th. The language moving forward continues to concern the Cherry Point businesses: the…
Read MoreWhat Cherry Point taxes mean to Local Schools
originally published March 2017— A significant portion of income for Whatcom County public school districts comes from: Maintenance and operations (M&O) levies, which help fund the ongoing costs of running the school, and Bonds, which typically are used to fund larger school renovations, new construction, and other capital projects. In the Ferndale School District, for…
Read More2017 Business Person of the Year Winner – Doug Thomas
originally published in Business Pulse magazine March 2017— Innovation and caring The directions Doug Thomas has taken Bellingham Cold Storage By Sherri Huleatt Founded by Archibald Talbot in 1946, Bellingham Cold Storage (BCS) got its start as a single warehouse and icehouse. Today, BCS is the largest portside cold storage facility on the West Coast—spanning…
Read More2017 Start Up Business of the Year Winner – Trayvax
originally published March 2017 in Business Pulse magazine– Made To Last Innovative wallet – King’s 3rd invention – takes off from crowdfunding start By Dave Brumbaugh Trayvax Enterprises has a distinctly specific recipe for success: an innovative product, solid values proven over time, and a modern financing technique. Founder Mark King is a good business…
Read MoreWill paid family and medical leave be the next labor mandate imposed on Washington’s employers?
originally published March 2017 in Business Pulse magazine– Erin Shannon | Center for Small Business & Labor, WPC Imposing a paid family and medical leave law has emerged as the business issue du jour this legislative session in the Washington state capitol. While Washington state already has a paid family leave law, it never has…
Read MoreWater rights decision bogs down water rights on wells
originally published March 2017— Perry Eskridge | Executive Officer and Government Affairs Director Whatcom County Association of REALTORS® “Whiskey’s for drinkin’, water’s for fightin’.” – Mark Twain The Washington Supreme Court upended established water law several months ago with the October 6, 2016 decision in Hirst vs. Whatcom County. Prior to the decision, water appropriation…
Read More10 positive behaviors Lean Leadership
Randall Benson | Lean Operations So how do we lead a Lean transformation?” I was recently asked this question by the owners of a small manufacturing company, so I came up with 10 behaviors that could help them get started as leaders in Lean. How many of these behaviors do you embody? Lead a journey.…
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