Washington Business Spring 2015 | Page 44

business backgrounder | industry Fueling the Northwest Economy Industry at Cherry Point plays an important role in fueling the regional economy. Richard S. Davis An unprecedented challenge to established industries in Cherry Point, Whatcom County, has thrust the area into national prominence. Outside environmental interests poured money into local council races to thwart further economic development. The targeted industries, firms with a global reach, provide the foundation for much of the Northwest Washington economy. Business leaders fear a sustained deindustrialization effort with significant consequences for the future of manufacturing. The Cherry Point Industrial Zone is home to 2,200 jobs paying an average wage of $114,000 a year, but these important jobs are ensnared in a concerted effort to limit or reduce manufacturing in the industrial zone. at a glance Cherry Point industries face unprecedented challenges from environmental groups opposed to industrial development. This new deindustrialization effort has ramifications far beyond the Whatcom County line. 44 association of washington business A patch of land along the Strait of Georgia on the north end of the Puget Sound has spawned Whatcom County controversies reverberating across the state and nation. The Cherry Point Industrial Zone is home to some of the state’s premier manufacturers. It now is also the scene of a renewed battle between environmental activists and proponents of increased trade and economic activity. While the polarity is neither perfect nor necessary — you can certainly protect the environment while boosting economic growth — the tension in the county is palpable. Business leaders warn of deindustrialization efforts that threaten industries that fuel the Northwest economy. The numbers tell the story. A recent employment impact analysis, “Employment at Cherry Point,” by economists Hart Hodges, Western Washington University, and Bill Beyers, University of Washington, demonstrates the significance of Cherry Point industries to the region.