Bellingham Business Journal, September 03, 2012 by Sound Publishing

THE POWER OF SUN

hospital alliance aims to control care costs

As energy prices climb, the solar industry is propelled by incentives By Evan Marczynski evan@bbjtoday.com olar-power systems have been seen as the future of alternative energy for decades. But price tags on solar panels—which can range from $30,000 to more than $90,000 for a building array—have often left them in the exclusive domain of property owners with plenty of spare cash. Yet in Whatcom County, with state and federal incentives, lowinterest loans and other initiatives, local proponents, manufacturers and installers are starting to say going solar can be affordable for just about anyone. “You don’t even need to worry about whether it’s good for the environment or not,” said Alex Ramel, a policy and energy manager with the nonprofit Sustainable Connections. “It’s just a good financial decision.” Along with the rosier economic outlook, nationwide solar production is growing. In 1990, there were 19 U.S. companies making solar panels—but by 2009, there were 101, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In Washington state, government officials and lawmakers plan a new push for clean energy jobs and the use of renewable power sources, according to the Department of Commerce’s 2012 State Energy Strategy. By initially focusing on the state’s transportation sector, commerce officials hope to cut statewide spending on energy, which when adjusted for inflation has increased 70 percent over the past two decades. Washington spends more than $20 billion annually on energy, according to the commerce

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Q&A | ALEX RAMEL, P.10

With new partner, PeaceHealth adjusts to changes in the health care world By Evan Marczynski evan@bbjtoday.com

Adam Butler, lead carpenter at Chuckanut Builders, measures a piece of metal siding for a roof-access hatch next to the solar installation (right) at the City Gate Apartments in Bellingham. EVAN MARCZYNSKI PHOTOS

department, most of which is sent out-of-state to pay for power generated from fossil fuels. In recent years, state lawmakers have initiated a series of incentives for residents to use renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and anaerobic digesters. When it comes to the incentives, solar users have a slew to pick from.

For one, the Washington State Department of Revenue offers a complete exemption on salesand-use taxes for equipment and labor needed to install solar systems that produce 10 kilowatts of power or less. It offers a 75 percent exemption for larger systems. On the federal level, part of the 2009 stimulus package included a 30 percent tax credit for owners

of solar panel installations. With panel installs requiring large chunks of money upfront, having the ability to recoup an initial investment is key to making solar financially viable, said Joshua Miller, manager of Western Solar Inc., a Bellinghambased solar installer. “To make the economics of solar pencil out, you really need to take advantage of the incentives,” he said. Miller said solar-panel installations have grown in Whatcom County over the past couple of years, in part from financial incentives, but also due to wordof-mouth popularity. He added that Western Solar encourages building owners to make other energy-efficient retrofits before

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s details fell into place in an agreement that would create a new health care system spanning the Pacific Northwest, executives from both organizations said it is clear their industry is transforming. “Health care economics aren’t sustainable in their current forms,” said John DiCola, Catholic Health Initiatives’ senior vice president of strategy and business development, of his organization’s agreement with PeaceHealth. “I think provider systems have recognized that they need to change.” The two nonprofit, Catholic systems signed a nonbinding letter of intent in August to form the new system by June 2013. Both hope the effort would cut costs with an approach to medical care that DiCola said would empha-

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Business networking and education opportunities Take a tour down on the farm As the premier event of Bellingham’s September Eat Local Month, the Whatcom County Farm Tour offers a free, selfguided trek through 11 of the county’s familyowned farms. The tour, runs SEP which from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, includes educational and interactive activities at each stop such as guided tours of Edelweiss Dairy, train rides and vodka tasting at BelleWood Acres, a compost demo at Farmer Ben’s and a chance to win prizes with a Farm Tour passport. Visitors are encouraged to bring cash for farm products and a cooler to keep purchased foods fresh throughout the day. Three self-guided bicycle routes can be found at www.eatlocalfirst.org. Visitors with dogs are asked to leave them at home. For descriptions and locations of all the Farm Tour stops, pick up the Farm Tour/ Eat Local Month Guide, available at Community Food Co-op stores, local farmers markets, visitors centers, Village Books or at www. eatlocalfirst.org.

Doing business with government

Brothers and custom boat builders, Gary and Paul Nordlund. “We’ve built a lot of boats over the years. Yet, no two have been alike. Each customer has their own needs, specs and dreams. Our job is to bring it to life. And Columbia Bank works with us in exactly the same way. They listen, then partner with us to customize their products and services to fi t our needs—all the way from bow to stern.” Visit columbiabank.com or call 360.671.2929.

September 2012

The city of Bellingham and the Port of Bellingham host a free business forum, titled “Doing Business with Local Government,” allowing local SEPT business owners and operators to learn about contracting and procurement opportunities with various government agencies in Bellingham, Whatcom County and beyond. The forum takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal at 355 Harris Ave. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet with representatives from a variety of government agencies to learn how each agency’s purchasing process works and how

to get their businesses listed on the various procurement rosters. No pre-registration is required to attend the forum. For more information, contact Joan Cady, the city’s purchasing superintendent, at 360778-7700 or jcady@cob. org.

protecting your online reputation The Building Industry Association of Washington, along with Local MarketSense, hosts a webinar from p.m. on SEP 1-1:45 Thursday, Sept. 20, covering how business owners can protect their online reputations from unhappy customers, angry employees and unethical competitors. “Erase ‘Graffiti’-Protecting Your Reputation Online,”

costs $5 for BIAW members, and $10 for nonmembers. Register online at pnw.cc/dgTtE.

Tech stomp for scholarships The Technology Alliance Group for Northwest Washington hosts Tech Stomp from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27. from SEP Proceeds Tech Stomp support scholarships to students in technology programs at local colleges and universities. The event will be held in the Academic Instruction Building on the campus of WWU. Tech Stomp costs $30 for TAG members, and $40 for nonmembers Email Sommer Cronck at sommer@tagnw.org for more information and to learn about sponsorship

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BBJToday.com 1909 Cornwall Ave. • Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone (360) 647-8805 • Fax (360) 647-0502 Circulation: (888) 838-3000, circulation@bbjtoday.com Publisher: publisher@bbjtoday.com Editorial: editor@bbjtoday.com Advertising: sales@bbjtoday.com BBJToday.com (ISSN 21620997) is published monthly by Sound Publishing Inc. at 1909 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225. Periodicals Postage Paid at Bellingham, WA and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BBJToday.com, Circulation, PO Box 130, Kent, WA 98035.

September 2012

BBJPEOPLE Who’s news in Bellingham & Whatcom business

Halmo honored as top marketer for Valpak Marketing consultant Maricel Halmo of Lynden was honored by Valpak for ranking number one in a 10-month sales contest between all of the coupon-mailing company’s 650 consultants in North America. Consultants earned points for attracting and retaining new clients from October through July. Halmo earned 817 points, Maricel Halmo which was 124 more than the contest’s runner-up. Halmo sells to clients in Whatcom County for the locally-owned Valpak of Western Washington NW. “This achievement is due to the perseverance of small businesses in Whatcom County,” Halmo said, in a press release. “Despite a difficult economy, they aren’t just wringing their hands but are actively marketing their products and services. I’m honored to work with owners and managers whose businesses contribute to our quality of life by providing excellent customer service and employing many people.” Valpak of Western Washington NW mails monthly coupons to 180,000 addresses from Marysville to Lynden. Jeff and Kim Goodman have owned the Bellingham firm since 1991.

from the business community,” said Susie Betts, president of Whatcom Women in Business. “What a great way to celebrate our 30th anniversary.” An awards dinner and auction will be held Oct. 23 at the Bellingham Golf & Country Club. For more information, visit www. wwib.org.

Reeves joins Zervas Group Architects Matthew Reeves has joined Zervas Group Architects of Bellingham. Reeves earned a bachelor’s in architectural studies from Washington State Matthew Reeves University in 2009. He later attended the WSU Interdisciplinary Design Institute in Spokane, Wash., while working for a local architecture firm. He received a master of architecture degree in 2011, and worked in Spokane and Seattle before moving to Bellingham.

BBJToday.com Since joining the Zervas team, Reeves has worked on the health professions building at Whatcom Community College, as well as various residential projects.

Hoyer named RE Sources’ executive director Crina Hoyer has been appointed the new executive director for the Bellingham nonprofit RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, after serving as the organization’s interim director since February of this year. “We all agree that Crina is the best person to move this organization into the future,” said Ken Bronstein, president of RE Sources’ board Crina Hoyer of directors. “Her history with the organization, firsthand knowledge of local environmental issues and her strong leadership skills make her the perfect person for this job.” Hoyer has been with RE Sources since 1997. In her 15 years with the organization, she has been a key player in developing RE Sources’ programs such as North Sound Baykeeper, Power Past Coal, the RE Store, the Sustainable Living Center and Sustainable Schools. Previously as the nonprofit’s

program director, Hoyer helped refine RE Sources’ focus and expand its reach. “My primary objective as program director was to ensure that our programs were helping us achieve our mission and meeting the needs of the community,” Hoyer said. “As executive director, I’ll continue this programmatic work while building staff capacity, engaging our community and creating a positive organizational culture.”

know he will help students across the university as well as within CBE to understand the special relationship of Canada and the U.S., and he also will be a great contributor to the ongoing community discussions about how to improve the economic climate across the border. I’m looking forward to working with him over the next year.”

Sands appointed as new distinguished professor at WWU business college

McNett, a Bellingham outdoor products company, has named Travis Huisman as its new chief executive officer. Huisman, who joined McNett’s executive team in 2009, replaces Gary Cruikshank, who assumed the role of director on McNett’s advisory board after 13 years as CEO. Prior to joining McNett, Huisman was a consultant at the Moss Adams accounting and consulting firm. He has experience in strategic planning, leadership transition and team development. “I’m excited to lead a talented, engaged team at a company with so much potential,” Huisman said. “McNett has done great things over the past three decades, but we’re just getting started. By building a culture that honors and taps into creativity and innovation, we will continue to be a leader in the outdoor industry.”

Western Washington University’s College of Business and Economics has appointed Christopher Sands as the Ross Distinguished Professor of Canada-United States Business and Economic Relations for the 2012-2013 academic year. Sands is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C., where he specializes in U.S.-Canadian relations, as well as North American ecoChristopher Sands nomic integration. “We are very pleased to have Christopher Sands join us as Ross Professor,” said Brian Burton, the college’s dean. “I

Huisman named new CEO of McNett in Bellingham

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peacehealth | FROM 1

size value over volume. The alliance would combine seven CHI hospitals and additional care facilities in Washington and Oregon with PeaceHealth’s eight hospitals in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. With about 26,000 employees and nearly 950 doctors, the new system could generate annual revenue close to $4 billion, according to PeaceHealth and CHI. Both organizations would be equal partners in the endeavor. Vancouver, Wash.-based PeaceHealth, which operates St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, plans to open another hospital in Friday Harbor in November. The new facility would also be included in the partnership. Kevin Lamb, PeaceHealth’s assistant manager of marketing and communication, said few changes would likely be felt at the local level as the two organizations begin a due diligence and final approval process. “For the time being, nothing changes,” Lamb said. “At this point, there’s no planned layoffs, there’s no planned changes in operations.”

BBJToday.com For Bellingham’s hospital, which is one of Whatcom County’s largest employers with more than 2,700 workers, the next year should be “business as usual,” said Peter Adler, a senior vice president and chief strategy officer for PeaceHealth. In statements, CHI president Kevin E. Lofton and PeaceHealth president Alan Yordy both noted the shared institutional values between the two Catholic systems as a key factor in the deal. “We see this as a natural evolution—a perfect way to share economies of skill and scale, improve health services and reinforce our common mission to create and nurture healthier communities,” Lofton said. CHI, with headquarters in Englewood, Colo., operates hospitals and other care facilities in 19 states. With annual revenues of more than $10.5 billion, it is one of the largest Catholic health systems in the nation. John DiCola of CHI said the organization has a long history of linking up with regional providers. Partnerships between care systems are becoming common across the nation, he said. With PeaceHealth, DiCola said CHI’s hope is to revamp the traditional strategy that emphasizes the amount of care a doc-

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The partnership between PeaceHealth and CHI will combine 16 hospitals, including Bellingham’s St. Joseph Medical Center, in addition to other care facilities. IMAGE COURTESY OF PEACEHEALTH tor provides over the actual value of care patients receive. The economic downturn and a decline of medical-care reimbursements to providers make it impossible to justify such a model, DiCola said. For value-based care to work, he added, doctors must focus on giving patients the right treatments at the right times. A larger, regional system could make financial risks of an operational shift easier to manage, he said. “We think we should be in a position to take risks for the outcomes we say we want to produce,” DiCola said. “We are going to have to find a better way to deliver care. It’s going to take some time and effort, but it’s certainly the right thing for our communities.” The partnership could also help PeaceHealth’s expensive effort to overhaul its

electronic health records system, senior executive Peter Adler said. Adler said both PeaceHealth and CHI are seeking lucrative incentives—part of the 2009 federal stimulus package—for providers who use electronic records. Infrastructure improvements, including new information-technology systems, could be made more efficient within a larger organization, he said. “We are now at the place where we are needing to upgrade, and in some cases replace, some of our record systems, and we are seeking the incentives to do so,” Adler said. As transformation in the health care world continues, frugality will likely be a key theme for providers and patients, executives and managers from both organizations said.

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Serving: Bellingham, Blaine, Birch Bay, Ferndale, Lynden, Lummi Island and all of Whatcom County... more to explore.

Arts & Culture • Dining Bicycling • Fishing • Wildlife Water Adventures• Casinos Lodging• Winter Activities Shopping • Spas • Health

A Refreshing Change

Visitors – Where would we be without them? Sponsored content provided by Loni Rahm, Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism.

n the visitor industry, the words tourism and hospitality are used synonymously on a regular basis. And although we use these words interchangeably, the more appropriate term would probably be that they are interdependent. The business of hospitality relies upon a strong customer base to succeed. Tourists rely upon the strength and depth of destination hospitality to provide the foundation for a successful visitor experience. The very definition of hospitality is the “friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.” No ambiguity there. It’s a philosophy that our business community embraces not just to survive, but to thrive. Like any good host, we take pride in the experience and environment we share with our guests. We tidy up. Most of the “adopt a highway” supporters are local businesses, who invest their time to make sure our front porch is clean and inviting. Most of the colorful hanging baskets and attractive landscaping that line our streets is supported financially or physically by our business community. Our restaurants provide menu items that are diverse and delicious – many of which feature items that are fished or farmed locally. Galleries spotlight tantalizing works of art to entice potential buyers from the sidewalk or the street. Volunteers spend thousands of hours in the maintenance of our trails, recreational facilities and parks

for greater user enjoyment. Individuals, businesses and organizations develop event and entertainment opportunities to showcase artisans, musicians, athletes, and attractions. All of this energy adds up to a huge investment of time and energy focused on building and maintaining a vibrant community. Ask any resident about their passion for “home” and one or all of the items I mentioned above will undoubtedly come up. One of the greatest benefits of a strong visitor industry is the economic infusion that enables these businesses to be as hospitable (see definition above) to their friends as they are to their guests. Many, if not most, of our businesses, need a steady stream of customers regardless of what their zip code – or postal code – might be. Without the buying power of our cross-border shopping base, we wouldn’t have been in a position to make national headline news over some discontent with the length of shopping lines. Because the business in question would not be here. In fact, many of the businesses thoughout our county wouldn’t be here without regional customers. Not just franchises and big box stores, many of our locally owned, small businesses would close their doors. We would lose the convenience and cost-effectiveness of taking one of the two daily trains to north and southbound destinations. Our airport could not attract low cost, non-stop carriers to take us to exotic places.

Coming Spring 2013

Our retail choices would diminish. The favorite local coffee shop might disappear. The face of our community would change – drastically – without the over $555 million spent annually throughout Whatcom County by visitors. Those of us in the hospitality industry are not immune to the occasional frustration of waiting in long lines, or forgetting to make a dinner reservation to accept the occasional inconvenience at our favorite restaurant. But given the in favor of being hospitable to our alternatives, most people would choose “guests, visitors and strangers.”

Upcoming September Events

Visit our website or call for more details: www.bellingham.org (360) 671-3990 Sept 1 Sept 2 Sept 3 Sept 6 Sept 7 Sept 8 Sept 9 Sept 11 Sept 13 Sept 14 Sept 15 Sept 16

• Eat Local Month Kick Off BBQ • Radio-Controlled and Scale Model Boat Show • Improv Comedy - Upfront Theatre • Community Breakfast • Radio-Controlled and Scale Model Boat Show • Phrasings in Word + Dance • Labor Day • Brown Bag Program: Footsteps on Front Street • Improv Comedy - Upfront Theatre • Downtown Art Walk • Bellwether Jazz Festival, VIP Dinner- Concert • The Poet as Art: Marvin Bell and Anita Endrezze • River Belle Dinner Theatre • Improv Comedy - Upfront Theatre • Fairhaven Runners Waterfront 15K • Compete for a Cause Cribbage Tournament • Awareness Walk for Gastroparesis & Digestive Health • Discover Whatcom County Farms -5th Annual Whatcom County Farm Tour • Meat Rabbit Expo • Whatcom County Farm Tour • WSU Community First Garden Tour • Beer Tasting • Bellwether Jazz Festival • Renee Wilkerson, Modern Homestead Book Event • Bellwether Jazz Festival, VIP Dinner, Concert • River Belle Dinner Theatre • Improv Comedy - Upfront Theatre • PFC's Opera in Cinema Series: La Cenerentola • Community Breakfast • LivFest 2012 • Local Food & Wine Pairing • Phrasings in Word + Dance • Monthly Brew: How to Effectively Grow Your Business • Guild Gathering and Program: Off the Bed, and Onto the Wall • Kneading Conference West • Ciao Thyme presents Incognito at the Movies: Big NightCinema Thyme: Big Night at PFC • Improv Comedy - Upfront Theatre • Kneading Conference West • River Belle Dinner Theatre • Improv Comedy - Upfront Theatre • Quilt Adventure • Tapping Into Outrageous Creativity Workshop/ The Art of Having What Matters Most • Chef in the Market w/ Brandywine Kitchen & Book Fare Café Eat Local BBQ • Kneading Conference WestMuds to Suds • Bellingham Traverse • River Belle Dinner Theatre • Improv Comedy -Upfront Theatre • Community Breakfast • Phrasings in Word + Dance

• The “Cook Local” Chefs Challenge by Acme Farms + Kitchen • Real Foods 101 with Lisa Dixon • "The Restless Plant" - WA Native Plant Society meeting • Welcoming Departure • Brown Bag Program: Blue Legacy - Glaciers and Climate in the North Cascades • Travelogue Series: Vietnam and Laos: Making a Difference as a Volunteer While Traveling • Improv Comedy - Upfront Theatre • River Belle Dinner Theatre • Improv Comedy - Upfront Theatre • Plein Air Painting With Thomas Wood • Whatcom Skillshare Faire • Fairhaven Sidewalk Sale and Salmon BBQ • Writers in the Limelight: Elaine Pagels, "Revelation" • River Belle Dinner Theatre • Improv Comedy - Upfront Theatre • Community Breakfas • Plein Air Painting With Thomas Wood • Muds to Suds Mud RacePFC's Ballet in Cinema Series: Move to Move: Nederlands Dans Theater • Whatcom Harvest Dinner 2012 • Phrasings in Word + Dance • Kid Grown Night with Common Threads Farm • Kids Grown Fundraiser at the Table • Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide • Taste Washington Day • Kid Grown Night Fundraiser @ Boundary Bay • Kid Grown Night with Common Threads Farm • Kid Grown Night Fundraiser @ Brandywine Kitchen • NW Chapter of Am. Inst. of Architects Fall Film Series: The Greenest Building • Improv Comedy - Upfront Theatre • Kid Grown Night with Common Threads Farm • River Belle Dinner Theatre • Improv Comedy - Upfront Theatre • "Edible Puget Sound" with Jill Lightner, • River Belle Dinner Theatre • Improv Comedy - Upfront Theatre • Manhattan Short: One World, One Week, One Festival @ PFC's Limelight Cinema • Improv Comedy - Upfront Theatre • Bellingham Bay Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K • Community Breakfast • PFC's Opera in Cinema Series: La Traviata • Organized Bride Fall Bridal Show • "Edible Puget Sound" with Jill Lightner • Tour of Photographs from Nakhodka, Russia by Photojournalist, Georgy Pakin • Phrasings in Word + Dance

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UNTESTED HEIGHTS

Will an expanded Bellingham airport lead to new business opportunities? By Evan Marczynski evan@bbjtoday.com

nspired by direct flights from Bellingham to Hawaii, Wiki Wiki Park ‘n’ Shuttle has distilled the thrills of a tropical vacation into a parking lot. “It’s a niche,” said co-owner Ernie Hen-

ken, who runs the airport parking and shuttle company with his wife, Velma. “We’re just looking for the right niche.” The Henkens, who founded Wiki Wiki on Pacific Highway in 2011, are seeing the benefits of growth and expansion at the airport.

September 2012 Velma Henken of Wiki Wiki Park ‘n’ Shuttle checks reservations behind the counter in the company’s lobby. EVAN MARCZYNSKI PHOTO

By the end of this year, Port of Belling- service-oriented businesses near the airham officials project nearly 575,000 pas- port, including hotels, retail stores and ressengers will have used the airport in 2012. taurants. Yet he pointed out commercial That figure would continue the strong year- vacancy in the area is at roughly the same over-year growth at the airport since 2005, level it was five years ago. which has been largely fueled by Canadian “I’m very optimistic on commercial real passengers. estate in Bellingham in general,” Muljat Dan Zenk, the port’s aviasaid. “The airport area is not tion director, has forecast good or bad, it’s just a limFIRST OF TWO PARTS: 12-15 percent annual pasited market. It’s untested and In the next BBJ, find out senger growth for the next unproven.” why some businesses 5-10 years. Though Wiki Wiki’s sucand homeowners are “It’s somewhat conservacess can be attributed to the unhappy with airport tive,” Zenk said, “but that’s officials’ expansion plans. airport, Velma and Ernie the trend I’m seeing now Henken said the business with the month-to-month also depends on their qualnumbers.” ity, and sometimes quirky, customer serThe Henkens are not the only business vice. owners turning the expanding airport into Travelers get more than a long-term a business opportunity. parking spot and a ride to the terminal. The But whether future growth will trickle Henkens provide luggage ID tags in their down into new commercial endeavors is a main office and a baggage scale so travelers question with no concrete answer, said Troy can make sure their carry-ons will pass airMuljat, a commercial real estate broker with lines’ weight limitations. They also include a the Muljat Group in Bellingham. airport | Page 7 Muljat said he sees potential for new

September 2012

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airport | FROM 6

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variety of “island” elements such as leis, luau music and non-alcoholic mai tais. Velma Henken said the service extras are meant to turn airport parking, which she considers one of the most stressful parts of a vacation, into a proper send-off for people heading to Hawaii. “It gets the vacation started,” she said. “We really want to take the stress out of this for people.”

could city growth spur commerce? Bellingham City Councilman Jack Weiss, who represents the city’s northern 1st Ward that includes neighborhoods and shopping sectors near the airport, said if two planned hotels in the area—a La Quinta Inn on Bakerview Road and a Marriot Spring Hill Suites on Northwest Avenue—are completed, it could help support new economic development.

“The airport area is not good or bad [for commercial real estate], it’’s just a limited market. It’s untested and unproven.” Troy Muljat But Weiss was not sure the airport could be credited as a driver of commercial activity. He said one thing that could help development of new business was a potential city annexation of a 175-acre chunk of property just west of Interstate 5 and bordering the eastern edge of airport property. City Council approved the annexation in 2007. At the time, city officials valued the property—known as the Bennett/Bakerview/Airport Drive area—at more than $31 million. Weiss said he was “fairly confident” the annexation could be finalized within the next few years. “The true commerce component I think will be when there is an annexation of the area west of the interchange,” Weiss said. “If that area does get annexed, then there’s going to be an opportunity for considerable commercial development.” However, Lydia Bennett, the Port of Bellingham’s business development

airport | Page 12

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September 2012

PORT OF BELLINGHAM September 2012

PORT NEWS Thriving Port Real Estate Adds Jobs to Economy

Sponsored content provided by Port of Bellingham

ringing new businesses to Whatcom County and helping existing businesses thrive are two major focuses of the Port of Bellingham’s Real Estate Division. That’s because job creation and economic development are the core purpose of ports in Washington State. About 250 businesses operate on Port of Bellingham property. They range from tourism attractions such as the Hotel Bellwether, manufacturing businesses such as Wood Stone Ovens and transportation businesses such as San Juan Cruises. One of the larger tenants is Bellingham Cold Storage, which employs hundreds of people. Marine trades, fishing businesses and marine manufacturing combine to make a strong industry cluster in Whatcom County

and many are on Port waterfront property. In addition to existing developments such as Bellwether on the Bay, Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park and others, the Port also has undeveloped land that is available. This year staff is determining if the parcels near the

airport need to be configured differently to attract development. And work is underway at the Blaine Harbor properties to identify an environmental cleanup and redevelopment plan to bring new jobs and

activity. Attracting a hotel developer to the airport property is a high priority and the Port will be issuing a Request for Development Proposals this fall. Continued airport growth and developer interest may mean the time is right for development of a parcel that has long been identified as a prime hotel location. Port Real Estate staff says they have been working much more closely with existing tenants to help meet their changing business needs during this tough economy and have recognized that vacancies often take longer to fill. This summer Port developed properties are 94 percent full.

A recent example of close work with a tenant occurred with Superior Energy and Greenberry Construction as they entered into new leases to build a specialized oil containment barge at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal. In less than a year, Port staff executed eight changes to their lease to respond to their changing business needs. New tenants and developments must be approved by the Port Commission, which evaluates job creation, fair market rents, business stability and community benefit as part of its oversight role.

Contact: Port Administrative Offices 360-676-2500 info@portofbellingham.com www.portofbellingham.com 1801 Roeder Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225 Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Board of Commissioners Scott Walker, District One Michael McAuley, District Two Jim Jorgensen, District Three Meetings: 3 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. Agendas are on the Port website. The Port operates: Bellingham International Airport Bellingham Cruise Terminal Squalicum Harbor Blaine Harbor Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park Bellwether on the Bay Shipping Terminal Airport Industrial Park Sumas Industrial Park

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The Leopold goes solar

BBJToday.com “We take the long view on this, and being paid back over a period of five to seven years is acceptable,” Johnston said. “It’s going to work out really well for us.”

making it a good deal.” Itek recently installed new machines on its production line, that Unterschuetz said could eventually push the company’s daily output from making 50-55 panels to close to 100.

Local products mean more savings Incentives have Owners receive rebates limited shelf life from the state and Puget

David Johnston, majority owner of The Leopold retirement residence in downMiller said he sees Sound Energy at a base rate town Bellingham, installed a positive outlook for of 15 cents per kilowatt36 solar panels on the roof Western Solar, as well as the hour of energy produced. of the historic building in Washington solar industry in But if they use solar panels March. The Leopold’s sysgeneral, for the next two to and power inverters made tem is expected to produce three years. in Washington state, the 8,000-9,000 kilowatt-hours Beyond that, however, rebate jumps to 54 cents per of electricity annually, which growth in the sector will would be about 10 percent of kilowatt-hour. depend on whether state the building’s total power consumption. SOLAR POWER HAPPY HOUR and federal lawmakers will extend incentives for The Leopold financed Sustainable Connections solar power production. the project with a lowhosts an informational event interest loan from at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. Washington state’s exemption on sales-and-use taxes Banner Bank, which 19, at its main office at 1701 for solar power equipment was procured with help Ellis St., Suite 221, with local is set to expire on July 1, from the Community solar-power manufacturers, 2013, according to the Energy Challenge, a installers and producers. Department of Revenue. partnership between Miller was also conthe nonprofit groups Itek Energy, a Bellingham- cerned about the possibility Sustainable Connections and based solar panel manufacthat the solar industry could Opportunity Council that turer, built the panels used in lose the federal tax credit, helps businesses and homThe Leopold’s solar array. which would expire in 2016 eowners reduce energy costs Karl Unterschuetz, Itek’s unless Congress decides by implementing energyproject director, said the extend it. With the incenefficient projects. company’s production has tives fueling the demand, Johnston believes The nearly doubled each month Miller said it was vital they Leopold will be able to pay since its founding in fall remain in place for solar off the cost of the panels 2011. manufacturers, installers and within five to seven years—a “Right now, we’re anticiproducers. return-on-investment period pate our growth to con“We’re definitely going that Joshua Miller said is tinue through the fall,” to see a slow down if that common for commercial Unterschuetz said. “The doesn’t get extended,” he projects, especially if owners solar industry in Washington said. “We’re so incentive take advantage of another is gaining more traction. based, it’s boom or bust with solar-power incentive that People are aware that it our business.” pays solar producers for the works, and the incentives are power their panels generate.

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September 2012

Q&A | ALEX RAMEL

Alex Ramel in front of the 36-panel solar installation on the roof of The Leopold in downtown Bellingham.

Sustainable Connections’ policy manager sees a new future for clean energy By Evan Marczynski evan@bbjtoday.com

ew programs have been as successful reducing energy use and creating jobs as Bellingham’s Community Energy Challenge, wrote the authors of a recent report on U.S. cities leading a “new energy future.” The Community Energy Challenge, funded through government grants and coordinated by the nonprofit groups Sustainable Connections and Opportunity Council, combines several programs and partnerships designed to help property owners cut

heating and electricity costs through retrofits and weatherization upgrades. With millions of dollars generated in building projects, the program has led to new job growth in the construction sector. And according to the Community Energy Challenge website, the effort has also prevented the release of more than 7,000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. After the program celebrated its twoyear anniversary in August, Alex Ramel, a policy and energy manager with Sustainable Connections, spoke about future goals and the road ahead for businesses and homeowners up to the challenge.

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BBJ: The Community Energy Challenge’s goals are reducing energy use, boosting economic development and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Is one more difficult to achieve than the others? RAMEL: I think they’re all equally easy to achieve, and all equally difficult to achieve, because they’re really part and parcel of the same thing. For better or worse, they’re all tied together. Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are effectively one in the same thing. It differs a little bit based on the type of energy that you’re using, but those two are interwoven with each other. From the perspective of energy efficiency, where what you’re doing is reducing energy use by installing new equipment and reducing the use of existing equipment, all of that is tied to construction work. With that, we’re creating jobs and reducing energy use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. So, the fun part about this work is it’s

achieving multiple policy goals simultaneously. BBJ: Do you think the cost-saving benefits can be used to encourage development of renewable energy sources? RAMEL: I think you could view it two ways. You could view it as the first step in a long series of necessary steps toward solving our dependence on fossil fuels and all of the problems that go along with that. You could also view it as the easy thing to do that makes sense whether you agree with the notion that we need to reduce fossil fuel use or not. We don’t need to have that sort of philosophical discussion to agree that cutting your energy bills in cost-effective ways makes sense for businesses and homeowners. BBJ: Is it easier to attract people with the potential of saving money? RAMEL: That’s absolutely where we start.

RAMEL | Page 11

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ramel | FROM 10

BBJ: How is that a challenge?

Many of our clients, both homeowners and business owners, I think are happy that there’s a positive environmental effect to the work that they’re doing. Some of them are also happy that they’re helping stimulate the economy at the same time. But all of them are looking at the numbers and saying: How much money am I going to save? How long is the project going to take to pay for itself? How much is it going to cost me upfront? In the end, I think that’s where most of the decision making occurs.

Ramel: Just making sure that we’re making the right recommendations to people. So, if you recommend LED lights in a commercial setting, you want to make sure that the color temperature is good and the spread of the beam is similar to what they had in the lighting they had before. That way you don’t end up with a spotlight where you used to have a floodlight. You want to make sure that it’s lighting the space in a way that the client’s going

to be happy with, especially if you’re talking about a restaurant or a retail space where the mood is really important to the business. So, just keeping up with technology and best practices is a continuous challenge. We’ve also set ourselves a goal to expand the program beyond Whatcom County to be able to provide service in Skagit, Island and San Juan counties. We’re just at the starting point of that, but in the next year, I expect to be serving dozens of homes and businesses in those communities as well. So,

adding geographic territory is a challenge. BBJ: The national report said small-city partnerships and initiatives seem to succeed where state and federal lawmakers cannot. Why do you think that is? Are American politicians capable of finding solutions for energy independence? RAMEL: I absolutely think they are capable of it. Whether they are willing to is perhaps another question, but the focus of that particular report was on small cities.

There are big cities that are doing equally compelling work. Some state governments are taking decisive action, and I place Washington state among them. The Community Energy Challenge and the six sister programs like it around Washington state are currently funded through our state Legislature. We’re organized at the local level, but we’re funded through the state government. So decisive action is happening at other levels of government as well. But I think the question

is still a valid one. Smaller governments overseeing populations of 150,000 or less, which is what the report was focusing on, I think are more capable of taking baby steps. What we did was take a very narrow set of things, said these are our goals, this is what we’re going to do, we’re going to work with homeowners and small businesses, and we have been able to focus, whereas larger governments have a tendency to try to do everything. So, it’s easier on a small scale to take a bite-size piece.

BBJ: Where does the Community Energy Challenge go from here? RAMEL: We’re continuously trying to deepen and improve the program. There’s a lot of interesting opportunities out there. We’re always exploring for ways to save more energy, to deepen the energy efficiency that we can get. For example, right now we’re saving about 20 percent of the energy in the average home that we work with.

Do you have to reach out to your banker? Or is it the other way around?

BBJ: How are you doing that? RAMEL: Typical projects include weatherization, air sealing, duct sealing, insulation, replacing an inefficient furnace with an efficient furnace or a heat pump. Some of our clients have replaced their windows. Some of them put solar panels on. So, the average project is somewhere in between all of those things. We’d love to find ways to save even more energy on top of that. For example, LED lighting is a technology that’s been making leaps and bounds over the last few years, and I think is really ready for prime time. The lighting quality is good, it’s dimmable, and the price has come down to the point where when used in fixtures that are used all the time, it will pay for itself in a time period that most people can live with and be happy with. A year and a half ago, we were really starting to ramp up the use of heat pumps in the program. That wasn’t something we used in the program’s pilot phase. The continuous improvement in the services we offer to clients and the technologies that we’re using is an ongoing challenge.

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AIRPORT | FROM 7

director, didn’t agree that the annexation would automatically boost business. Bennett acknowledged that businesses within the annexation area would benefit from lower insurance costs due to being covered by city services such as fire protection. But business owners would also be required to pay city taxes and fees, she said. “I don’t see a huge boost,” Bennett said. “It’s pretty much a wash.”

Master plan will include business expansion The Port of Bellingham has its own development plans. With a new airport master plan in the works, which officials said could be presented to the port’s board of commissioners by the end of the year, Bennett said business growth has been a major factor of the update process. In September, the port plans to request qualifications and revisions from develop-

September 2012

ers interested in available port property adjacent to the airport on Mitchell Way. Bennett said the location could be a good spot for a hotel or aviation-related business. “We’re interested in seeing what a developer would envision for this property,” she said. She added that the updated master plan should include new initiatives to attract tenants, particularly long-term companies, to the airport’s industrial park.

Bright times ahead At Wiki Wiki, Ernie Henken said he’s preparing for a jump in customers once new flights to Hawaii start in November. The company’s lot typically has 35-40 cars come through each month, he said. At the

moment, Wiki Wiki’s capacity is 60 cars, but with additional land at its disposal, Ernie Henken said the business could potentially increase more than threefold. While there is an element of uncertainty to their future, the Henkens are optimistic. The Bellingham airport’s low cost to both passengers and airlines, coupled with the millions of potential passengers within driving distance of Bellingham have them both thinking they’ve hit an investment jackpot. But it’s not just the money that has them excited. With Wiki Wiki’s focus on Hawaiibound passengers, it’s also the chance to work in a vacation atmosphere every day of the week. “When you think about it, this is the perfect place to be,” Ernie Henken said. “We plan on staying in this business. This is fun.”

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September 2012

BBJBUZZ

Top news items from BBJToday.com Home sales and sale prices continue to climb in Whatcom Sale closings on single-family homes and condominiums in Whatcom County rose nearly 18 percent in July 2012 from the same month one year ago, according to figures from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Last month, 224 sales on single-family homes and condos were closed in the county. July’s average sale price was $285,148—the median price was $254,800. Whatcom County’s average sale price was below last month’s statewide average of $315,592, though Whatcom’s July median price was nearly identical to the statewide median of $254,900. MLS directors reported general optimism for the state’s housing market, with favorable financing options and a reduced inventory supporting a rebound. “Simple economics is at play, with an imbalance in supply and demand that is positively influencing both valuations and the ability for banks to efficiently dispose of the remaining distressed property inventory. All of this bodes well for a sustainable housing recovery,” said Joe Spencer, area director of Keller Williams Northwest Region and an MLS board member. Statewide, real estate brokers completed sales for 6,098 buyers in July 2012—a year-over-year increase of 17.7 percent, according to the MLS. July was the third consecutive month with closings reaching above 6,000. Prior to May of this year, the last time home sales reached that level was in September 2007. The Northwest Multiple Listing Service is the largest such service in the Pacific Northwest. Its membership includes more than 21,000 real estate brokers and currently serves 21 counties in Washington state.

Master Auto Tech hosts anniversary open house Master Auto Tech, a Bellingham car maintenance company specializing in service of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Toyota and Lexus models, celebrates five years in business on Saturday, Sept. 15, with an open house and a customer appreciation day. The event is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Master Auto Tech shop at 444 W. Horton Road in Bellingham’s Cordata neighborhood. It includes barbecued hamburgers and hotdogs, door prizes and a chance to speak with a Mercedes-Benz master technician. Bob Taylor, Master Auto Tech’s owner, has 30 years of experience in car maintenance. He is a MercedesBenz master technician and also certified as a master automobile technician by the National Institute for Automobile Service Excellence. In addition, Master Auto Tech announced the hiring

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of Ryan Lambert, who is also a MercedesBenz master technician and has six years of experience in the car maintenance field. The Bellingham company handles repairs and all factory-recommended service for most European and Asian cars. The shop is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. For more information, call 360-7333043.

lette on a bread farm baguette with pickled peach and red onion piccalilli. -“Best gluten free bite”: Pure Bliss Desserts, for its Belgium chocolate torte, pure chocolate melted with other ingredients and topped with chocolate ganache.

-“Dreamiest drink”: Diego’s Mexican Grill, for its cherry limeade, made with fresh-squeezed limes, organic cherry juice and blended with ice. -“Sweetest sweet”: The Mount Bakery Cafe, for its vanilla bean creme brulee.

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Bite of Bellingham draws thousands to pick city’s top eats Thousands of Bellingham residents, along with a three-member panel of local celebrity judges, picked award winners for the seventh annual Bite of Bellingham, held Aug. 18 in downtown Bellingham. About 5,000 people attended the event, according to the Downtown Bellingham Partnership. Attendees sampled a variety of items from local restaurants and cafes, then voted on their favorites in a series of categories. Bayou on Bay’s smoked tasso stuffed rosemary biscuit—stuffed with cured, smoked-spiced pork and coleslaw—won the overall “best bite.” The three-judge panel, which consisted of Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville, Greenhouse owner Chris Foss and cookbook author Mary Ellen Carter, gave its firstplace award to a beet caprese from The Table by Bellingham Pasta Co. The panel’s second-place award went to a veggie samosa from the India Grill— third place went to Diego’s Mexican Grill for a fish taco and cherry limeade blend. Other Bite of Bellingham winners included: -“Best local bite”: Cheese Meat(s) Beer, for its tartine, a house-smoked pork ril-

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Information in the public record

BUSINESS LICENSES A+ Northwest Cleaning Specialist, 6495 Rutsatz Road, Deming, WA 98224. A-Plus Construction, 3735 Camp 2 Road, SedroWoolley, WA 98284. Angela Harrasser Design Studio, 1221 Railroad Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225. Baker Construction & Development, 2711 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane, WA 99202. Bakker’s Dozen Catering, 7448 Clamdigger Drive, Blaine, WA 98230. Bellingham Lawn & Garden, 2580 H St. Road, Blaine, WA 98230. Cat Cuisine, 1400 Moore St. #A6, Bellingham, WA 98229.

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D J 360, 1112 E. Maryland St. #1, Bellingham, WA 98226. FWH Terraform, 1207 40th St., Bellingham, WA 98229. Gateway Funding, 300 Welsh Road Building 5, Horsham, PA 19044. March Wind, 2615 S. Harbor Loop Drive, Bellingham, WA 98225. Max Higbee Center, 1210 Bay St. #102, Bellingham, WA 98225. New Nail & Spa, 3930 Meridian St., #105, Bellingham, WA 98226. Pacific Medical, 790 Kentucky St., Bellingham, WA 98225. Propper International Sales, 17 Research Park Drive, Saint Charles, MO 63304. Sharp Construction, 2703 58th St. Court NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. Skagit Valley Farm,1401 6th ST. #201, Bellingham, WA 98225.

BANKRUPTCIES

CHAPTER 7 Joshua Avinash Singh, case no. 12-18760-KAO. Filed Aug. 24. William Henry Apt, case no. 12-18750-KAO. Filed Aug. 23. Eric James Hitz, case no. 12-18740-KAO. Filed Aug. 23. Eduardo Becerra-Navarrete and Elisa Becerra, case no. 12-18738-KAO. Filed Aug. 23. Cory Benjamin Marquis, case no. 12-18736-KAO. Filed Aug. 23. Gail Louise Heflin, case no. 12-18691-KAO. Filed Aug. 22. David Wayne McIntosh and Marlene Augusta McIntosh, case no. 12-18646-KAO. Filed Aug. 21. Danielle R. Haviland, case no. 12-18644-KAO. Filed Aug. 21. Reuben Andrew Gonzales, case no. 12-18627-KAO. Filed Aug. 21. Karen Joyce Manchester F u e n t e s , c a s e n o. 12-18591-KAO. Filed Aug. 20. Wireless Detection, case no. 12-18571-KAO. Filed Aug. 17. Rebecca Lynn Boonstra, case no. 12-18542-KAO. Filed Aug. 17. Lora Lee Espinoza, case no. 12-18526-KAO. Filed Aug. 17. Dedra Ann Shaw, case no. 12-18478-KAO. Filed Aug. 16. Daryl Lee Burk and Jill Elizabeth Burk, case no. 12-18449-KAO. Filed Aug. 15. Miranda Dawn Barnett and Brett Thomas B a r n e t t , c a s e n o. 12-18449-KAO. Filed Aug. 15.

September 2012 Matthew Ryan Bateman and Breanne Michelle Bateman, case no. 12-18436-KAO. Filed Aug. 15. Robert Benjamin Fisher, case no. 12-18405-KAO. Filed Aug. 14. Cher Angela Holleman, case no. 12-18402-KAO. Filed Aug. 14. Tarsem Singh and Ranjit Kaur, case no. 12-18380KAO. Filed Aug. 14. Tracy Scott Epley and Gerri Rae Anderson-Epley, case no. 12-18298-KAO. Filed Aug. 10. Byron Brian Cordova and Joann Cordova, case no. 12-18296-KAO. Filed Aug. 10. Dawson Colt Cornett and Emily Mae Cornett, case no. 12-18235-KAO. Filed Aug. 9. Jorge Raul Rentas and Jessica Lynn Rentas, case no. 12-18235-KAO. Filed Aug. 8. Sande J. Heidi, case no. 12-18195-KAO. Filed Aug. 8. Susan R. Teves, case no. 12-18147-KAO. Filed Aug. 6. Anthony Michael Serrano and Nicole Renee Serrano, case no. 12-18144-KAO. Filed Aug. 6. Fred Hardie Bishop Jr., case no. 12-18113-KAO. Filed Aug. 3. David Parks, case no. 12-18088-KAO. Filed Aug. 3. Tandi Lynn Bergsma, case no. 12-18087-KAO. Filed Aug. 3. John Thomas Williams III and Kathleen Ann Fitzgerald, case no. 12-18069-KAO. Filed Aug. 2. Wilson Everett Gordon and Linda Gail Gordon, case no. 12-18054-KAO. Filed Aug. 2. Jessie R. Dwight and Tamara A. Dwight, case no. 12-18030-KAO. Filed Aug. 1.

TAX LIENS James D. Biddix, Biddix Company, $31,283.90 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 20. Growing Washington, $5,107.52 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 20. Michael A. and Carolyn Sherwin, $43,213.67 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 20. Glen A. Scott, $24,275.20 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 20. Steven T. Hubbard, $9,160.07 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 13.

Alvaro Vicente Ortiz, Vicente Labor Contractor, $69,241.65 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 13. Charles Eldon Rier, $26,543.38 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 13. Bonnie M. Chisum, $23,267.27 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 13. Matt W. Stilwill, $22,274.30 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 13. Juan Augustin Vicente, Vicente Farms, $51,225.60 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 13. Muthia Hidayat, $25,713.30 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 10. Lori Abrams, $42,173.91 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 6. Douglas J. and Cindy L. Sortor, $4,282.90 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 6. Michael A. Moore, $38,737.48 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 3. Paul W. Rook, $25,891.09 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 3. Darryl W. Chen and Linh T. Vu, $45,113.74 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed Aug. 3. Michael A. and Beverley D. Moore, $515.93 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed July 31. Jason Greig, $517.01 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed July 31. Jason A. and Laura M. Greig, $7,943.66 in unpaid IRS taxes. Filed July 31.

JUDGMENTS Health & Exercise Prescriptions Inc., $3,283.99 in unpaid Department of Revenue taxes. Filed Aug. 23. Platinum Builders Inc. dba Platinum Homes, $978.67 in unpaid Employment Security Department taxes. Filed Aug. 22. Huisman Farms Inc. dba Auction Barn Cafe, $6,957.30 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 22. Afghan 2000 LLC, $7,090 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 22. Elite Imports LLC, $733.04 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 22. Sonya’s Quality Furniture Outlet, $293.96 in

data | Page 15

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September 2012

data | FROM 14

unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 22. Rachel Lynn Cox dba Advanced Choices, $858.75 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 21. Beta Oil & Gas Inc, $228.91 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 20. Designlab LLC, $1,466.55 in unpaid Department of Revenue taxes. Filed Aug. 16. Nadine Marie and Zachariah Norman Hildebrand dba Advanced Construction & Design, $1,984.91 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 15. Whatcom Handyman Services LLC, $1,060 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 15. Larry H. Montgomery dba Montgomery Scrap Processors, $1,705.68 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 13. The Ridge Wine Bar LLC dba Redlight Wine Bar and Coffee Roaster, $2,308.87 in unpaid Department of Revenue taxes. Filed Aug. 13. Stauffers Stains LLC dba Twin Sisters Lodge, $2,859.74 in unpaid Department of Revenue taxes. Filed Aug. 13. Pacific Northwest Karate LLC dba Pacific Northwest Karate Center, $785.74 in unpaid Department of Revenue taxes. Filed Aug. 13. F100 Connection LLC, $1,942.39 in unpaid Department of Revenue taxes. Filed Aug. 13. B&J Fiberglass LLC, $18,914.65 in unpaid Department of Revenue taxes. Filed Aug. 13. Solutions Electrical Contracting & Management, $17,595.73 in unpaid Department of Revenue taxes. Filed Aug. 13. Lakeside Marine Inc., $7,569.21 in

BBJToday.com unpaid Department of Revenue taxes. Filed Aug. 13. Ben S. Frank dba Blaine Auto Glass, $60.21 in unpaid Department of Revenue taxes. Filed Aug. 13. Altus Industries Inc. and Dean Berkeley, $6,581.06 in unpaid Department of Revenue taxes. Filed Aug. 13. Jon Budar dba Accusearch LLC, $601.07 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 13. Larry H. Montgomery dba Montgomery Scrap Processors, $2,416.53 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 13. OPA GS LLC, $7,278.59 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 8. Milt’s Pizza Place, $1,046.96 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 7. Do Construction Inc., $3,350.38 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 7. Gonzalo Farid Barrera fka Prodekx LLC, $14,386.53 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 7. Turtle Island Contracting Inc., $4,194.06 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 7. Harold Thomas and Louise Kay Heeringa dba Ha Lo Heeringa Dairy, $1,467.23 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 7. Eric and Pamela Larson fka Java Town Espresso LLC, $935.88 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 7. B&B Paint Co. Inc., $14,789.98 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 7. Kevin J. and Colleen S. Berg fka Berg Builders Inc., $1,009.01 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 7. Lindbloom Construction LLC, $1,350.84 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries

taxes. Filed Aug. 7. A-1 Gutters Inc., $2,094.04 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 7. Ramon A. Rodriguez; Robin Kae and Oscar Miguel Castillo dba S&R Drywall, $755.03 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 7. Custom Concrete Construction Inc., $4,731.62 in unpaid Employment Security Department taxes. Filed Aug. 7. Barbara J. Bruland dba Hungry Bear Family Restaurant, $2,574.97 in unpaid Department of Revenue taxes. Filed Aug. 7. Grand View Sign & Awning Co., $4,249.30 in unpaid Employment Security Department taxes. Filed Aug. 3. D. Jay Enterprises Inc. dba Swiftsure Food, $2,535.91 in unpaid Department of Labor & Industries taxes. Filed Aug. 3. Diller Construction Enterprises Inc. dba Whatcom Waterfront, $1,949.10 in unpaid Employment Security Department taxes. Filed Aug. 3. Downtown Bob’s LLC dba Bob’s Burgers and Brew, $1,220.24 in unpaid Employment Security Department taxes. Filed Aug. 3. Bellingham Whatcom Radiator & Battery Repair Inc., $3,089.48 in unpaid Employment Security Department taxes. Filed Aug. 3. B&J Fiberglass Repair LLC, $4,767.26 in unpaid Employment Security Department taxes. Filed Aug. 3. Aaron Long Roofing & Construction, $685.77 in unpaid Department of Revenue taxes. Filed Aug. 1. James F. Fox dba Fox & Sons Construction, $4,322.79 in unpaid Department of Revenue taxes. Filed Aug. 1. JSport Inc., $5,510.49 in unpaid Department of Revenue taxes. Filed Aug. 1.

View complete listings at BBJToday.com

Josh Zandstra, Branch Manager

MLO/NMLS 518804

360-305-8857 jzandstra@primelending.com https://lo.primelending.com/jzandstra

Tony Lalonde, Mortgage Loan Officer MLO/NMLS 518798

360-820-1310 alalonde@primelending.com https://lo.primelending.com/alalonde

Ric Shallow, Mortgage Loan Officer MLO/NMLS 119020

360-631-1072 rshallow@primelending.com

https://lo.primelending.com/rshallow

Jack Decook, Sr. Mortgage Consultant MLO/NMLS 409940

PrimeLending Team

THE MOST LISTENED-TO RADIO STATION

IN WHATCOM & SKAGIT COUNTIES IS READY TO GO TO WORK FOR YOU People who live, work and play in Whatcom & Skagit counties are listening to PRAISE 106.5. It’s why we’re the top station in the market for adult weekly listening audience*. And its why your advertising campaign is simply not complete if it doesn’t include reaching PRAISE listeners.

can start working for your business today! * (M-Su 6am-12m, Adults 18-49 CUME: ARB SP11 Whatcom/Skagit Counties)

Proud media partner with

360-319-7119 jdecook@primelending.com https://lo.primelending.com/jdecook

Stefani Young Loan Officer Support 360-739-3084 skyoung@primelending.com Jeremey Beck, Sr. Mortgage Loan Officer

Megan Patterson NMLS#: 609796

360-223-7157 Loan Processor jbeck@primelending.com mapatterson@primelending.com https://lo.primelending.com/jbeck

Bellingham Office address: 4265 Meridian St #104 Bellingham, WA 98226 Mt Vernon Office address: 811 Cleveland Ave Mt Vernon, WA 98273

MORTGAGES WITHOUT OBSTACLES. © 2012 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in the following states: AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY. Licensed by: AL State Banking Dept.- consumer credit lic no. MC21004; AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions- mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334; Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act- lender lic no. 4130996; CT Dept. of Banking- lender lic no. ML-13649; D.C. Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking- dual authority lic no. MLO13649; IL Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation- lender lic no. MB.6760635; IN Dept. of Financial Institutions- sub lien lender lic no. 11169; ME Dept. of Professional & Financial Regulation- supervised lender lic no. SLM8285; MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation- lender lic no. 11058; Massachusetts Division of Banking– lender & broker license nos. MC5404, MC5406, MC5414, MC5450, MC5405; MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth- broker/lender lic nos. FR 0010163 and SR 0012527; Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department- lender lic no. 14553-MB; NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance-lender lic no. 0803658; NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. Financial Institutions Division- lender license no. 01890; ND Dept. of Financial Institutionsmoney broker lic no. MB101786; RI Division of Banking- lender lic no. 20102678LL and broker lic no. 20102677LB; TX OCCC Reg. Loan License- lic no. 7293; VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration- lender lic no. 6127 and broker lic no. 0964MB; WA Dept. of Financial Institutions-consumer lender lic no. 520-CL-49075.

BBJToday.com

What An SBA Preferred Lender Can Do For You. As an SBA Preferred Lender, we can initiate, process and approve your loan internally. And about 95% of the time, that’s exactly what we do. That means less red tape and a lot less waiting for answers. In fact, most of our SBA loans take only a couple of weeks from application to being approved. But quick approval isn’t the only thing appealing about our SBA loans. They also offer very competitive interest rates, longer terms that

can lower your monthly payments, and no prepayment penalties. If anything does arise during the loan process, the experienced staff in our SBA Loan Department can easily handle it for you. Why not see if an SBA loan is a good fit for your business? Call or stop by and talk with any of our commercial lenders. It just might be the most straightforward meeting you’ve had in quite a long time.

For more information, just call us at (360) 757-0170, or visit www.wibank.com

September 2012