Mezzanine Financing and Private Debt Solutions for Bellingham Companies

Located in the northwest corner of Washington State in Whatcom County, Bellingham is situated 145 kilometres north of Seattle and 88 kilometres south of Vancouver, BC. The city is tucked among the green islands of the Washington coast with the backdrop of volcanic Mount Baker dominating in the southeast and rising at the edge of North Cascades National Park.

Interstate 5 (I-5), BNSF Railway, and Bellingham International Airport all allow for convenience and ease of transportation. Less than 34 kilometres from the US/Canada border and home to Western Washington University (excellence in education is one of the city's hallmarks), Bellingham has an estimated 88,500 citizens (as of April 1, 2018), according to the Washington State Office of Financial Management.

The city also earns high marks for arts and entertainment with the downtown area showing a mixture of art galleries, specialty shops, brew pubs, wine bars, cafes, and casual eateries that place an emphasis on sourcing local ingredients.

Bellingham offers a variety of housing choices within 25 distinct neighbourhoods. The real estate market reveals low inventory continues to push up home prices in Whatcom County—where sales dropped 9.9% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to a year ago—while the median price of homes sold rose 5% to $383,400, according to a report from Muljat Group Realtors. Much of the median price increase came from the Bellingham market, which jumped 14.1% to $485,000. Fewer homes sold and an increase in purchases at higher price points were big factors in such a dramatic shift.

Noted by various media outlets as the "Best Place to Play Year Round," "Adventure Town USA" and "Best Place to Retire and Live", the community has a well-deserved reputation for pedestrian and bike friendliness, and there are many hiking and mountain biking trails throughout the region.

The temperate climate makes it easy to enjoy recreational pursuits with 71 sunny days annually and an average high in July of 22 degrees Celsius and a low of 12. In winter months it hovers around 7 degrees Celsius and can reach a low of 0 Celsius. The measurable precipitation of 914 millimetres (36 inches) per year has helped garner a nod from the American Lung Association (2002-2006), which has lauded Bellingham as one of the top ten cities in the United Sates with the cleanest air.

Positioned as a commerce hub for the region, Bellingham boasts one of largest natural harbours in the northwest, which is able to dock vast ocean vessels. Because of its central location and proximity to the coast, Bellingham is a transportation centre connecting Seattle and Vancouver with the San Juan Islands and Alaska.

The Port of Bellingham reveals that Whatcom County is home to diverse industries and employment opportunities. Nearly 7,000 firms provide over 85,700 jobs, with higher education and medical services accounting for the leading employers in the county. Health care is increasingly vital to the local economy; Bellingham's St. Joseph's Hospital is a two-campus medical center and a Level III Trauma Center, which offers comprehensive health care for the Whatcom County region.

According to the Whatcom County Profile – Port of Bellingham, technology and outdoor recreation continue to be growing sectors, while food processing and heavy industrial manufacturing are some of the region's essential industries. Manufacturing of wood products and transportation equipment has seen gains in recent years with boatbuilding as a crucial segment of the transportation equipment sector, shifting focus from fishing vessels to the production of luxury yachts and military boats.

Maritime trades remain a critical part of the regional economy. According to a report published by the Center for Economic and Business Research at Western Washington University, 6,033 jobs are created or supported by the marine trades representing 7% of Whatcom County's total workforce. Working waterfront businesses are a diverse and very skilled set of contractors and trades people that provide family-wage jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual economic revenue.

The Port of Bellingham operates transportation terminals and marinas including Squalicum harbour, Blaine harbour, and the Bellingham Shipping Terminal, each offering a variety of services to both commercial and pleasure boaters.

Bellingham's economy has been traditionally based on agriculture, fishing, and timber and today these segments are still vital components of the local economy with the bulk of Whatcom County's agricultural activity involving berry and dairy farming.

Major private industry firms, including petroleum refining, corporate retail trade offices, aluminum smelting, aircraft interiors, power supply systems and industrial maintenance, provide a stable economic base.

The Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce reports that consumer retail is booming in the area, thanks in part to the influx of Canadian shoppers. Construction continues to be strong in Whatcom County as well, with ongoing projects such as Barkley Village, Bellingham International Airport, several new hotels, and additions at the Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa. The Bellingham Waterfront District redevelopment will play a big part in shaping downtown Bellingham and the county in the coming years. The industries of Whatcom County are so well-diversified that there's room for nearly any new business or new extension of an existing business to open.

Business in Bellingham is competitive and the bankers at Bond Capital are adept at accurately matching capital to opportunity to help you grow your business and prosper as a shareholder.

If you are seeking an infusion of capital to stimulate company growth and help facilitate your business strategies, Bond Capital is an experienced Canadian merchant bank and direct source of capital that offers customized total financial solutions.

We can help to build a unique business solution that will foster growth and diversity in your business. You can achieve financial efficiency while increasing competitiveness and gaining access to more capital by working with us.

If you would like to learn more about the business loan options available to you, please contact us today. We will arrange a meeting with one of our Bellingham representatives. ​