About NWEC

What Do We Do??

The Northwest Economic Council will be focusing on three main initiatives during 2010.  The central focus of our work during the year will be JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!  Our key initiatives are described below.

Key Initiatives for 2010:

ADO Duties & Responsibilities
As the Associate Development Organization (ADO) for Whatcom County, there are several core activities that the NWEC is responsible for in this Region.  Our five core responsibilities include: Business Retention & Expansion, Business Startup Assistance, Support for Regional Research & Planning, Readiness & Capacity/Asset Building, and Recruitment/ Attraction of Businesses.  For additional detail, review our NWEC as the ADO webpage.

Innovation Resource Center
The Innovation Resource Center (IRC) was established by the Northwest Economic Council to connect innovative start-up businesses to resources that will help them to grow and thrive in Whatcom County. The goal of the IRC is to create 1,131 new jobs in its first five years. The IRC goes beyond the role traditionally assigned to business development organizations in that it develops innovative business climates and identifies entrepreneurs who will thrive in that climate. The IRC creates a home in Whatcom County for innovative new enterprises to start up and grow. For more detail, please review our IRC webpage.

Regional Economic Strategy
NWEC is currently working to develop a Regional Economic Strategy for Whatcom County.  This strategy document will set forth key goals and objectives intended to solve the economic problems, and capitalize on the resources and comparative advantages of the Region.  When completed, the Strategy document will help to create jobs and foster a more stable, diverse local economy.  For more detail, please refer to our Economic Strategy webpage.