Port to tackle Point Roberts’ economic impacts due to tariffs, border issues
The Port of Bellingham has plans to address the economic challenges faced by Whatcom County’s most isolated area — Point Roberts.
“Point Roberts is reachable from the mainland U.S. only after crossing two international borders, making the five square mile peninsula one of America’s most isolated rural enclaves. Highly regarded as a safe place with stunning natural beauty, Point Roberts is popular among retirees, families, and artists,” an Oct. 6 news release from the Port of Bellingham said.
The community is connected to British Columbia and depends on Canadian visitors to sustain the local economy. Point Roberts has been especially hard hit by recent political and economic disruptions.
U.S. tariff policies and border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic “highlighted the community’s vulnerability to an overreliance on Canadian tourism,” the release said.
The Port secured a planning grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce Community Economic Revitalization Board as part of a new economic development strategy for Point Roberts.
The strategy will include hiring a professional consulting firm to “address the community’s unique challenges, including geographic isolation, a shortage of skilled labor, inadequate infrastructure, and restrictive zoning,” through working with Point Roberts business owners and residents.
“The Port’s mission is to support sustainable economic development throughout Whatcom County,” Port Economic Development Director Tyler Schroeder said in the release.
The strategy is focused on finding opportunities “to overcome the unique challenges in Point Roberts and build a more resilient local economy,” according to Schroeder.
The strategy will address five key topics to Point Roberts development:
- Economic and Environmental Sustainability.
- Point Roberts Marina.
- Sewer System Improvements.
- Broadband Infrastructure.
- Resilience Hub.
Port staff presented the Economic Development Strategy at on Thursday, Oct. 16 to the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee at the Point Roberts Community Center.
“The Port’s next step will be to work with the residents of Point Roberts to determine economic development priorities and with Whatcom County, Western Washington University and other stakeholders to find funding and put short, medium and long-range plans into action,” the news release states.
The full report can be found on the Port’s website.
