BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A new report detailing the economic impacts of COVID-19 on Whatcom County businesses suggests an immense need for relief quickly.
The report from the Regional Economic Partnership at the Port of Bellingham details the results of a survey developed with Whatcom Unified Command, the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce, and Western Washington University.
Research and Communications Manager for the Partnership, Jennifer Noveck, says many have taken advantage of programs for businesses and workers but they haven’t been enough.
The survey finds loans and more debt aren’t helpful because many businesses say they were already carrying large debt loads before the crisis began.
450 Whatcom County businesses estimated cumulative losses at over $28 million with the highest average loss occurring in the recreation, public, tourism, and restaurant and bar sectors.
The full report is available on the Port of Bellingham website.