Guest Commentary: Downtown Bellingham’s Partnership Programs Can Help Small Businesses Thrive
By Nadia Boulos, founder of Reset Web Design
I love Downtown Bellingham. As a website designer who serves small businesses in the Bellingham community–and as someone who has lived here for twenty years–I’m downtown a lot. And I know a good program when I see one.
Recently, I’ve been exploring opportunities with the City Center. The Downtown Bellingham Partnership offers so many events and free programs that make these collaborations happen organically. I’m in the middle of a three-part seminar series offered by both the Downtown Bellingham Partnership and Intellitonic.
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Historic Tax Incentive Boosts Downtown Bellingham Revitalization Efforts
Governor Inslee recently signed HB 2306 into law, expanding the Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program, which allows businesses and organizations who pay state Business & Occupation (B&O) tax or Public Utility Tax (PUT) to pledge donations to Washington Main Street Communities, including Downtown Bellingham, and receive 75% back as a tax credit. This legislative action is in cooperation with the Department of Revenue and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation and enables a potential third pledge season in 2024 and up to $333,333, up from $213,000 in 2023, for qualifying communities to reinvest state dollars into local needs. The Downtown Bellingham Partnership must receive $160,000 in tax credit pledges from businesses and organizations paying state B&O or PUT before October 1, 2024, to earn eligibility for a third round of pledges and is inviting new businesses to the program effective today. The first step for interested businesses is to contact the Downtown Bellingham Partnership’s Development Manager, Jenny Hagemann.
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Bellingham Bike Swap Works To Get Everyone On Bikes
Shifting Gears, a local non-profit in Bellingham, is hosting the annual Bellingham Bike Swap on Sunday, June 9th, 2024, in the Boundary Bay Brewery Alley and Beer Garden in Downtown Bellingham.
The Bellingham Bike Swap allows the Bellingham Community to purchase pre-owned bikes or gear at a lower cost, enabling them to experience the joys and benefits of biking. The Bellingham Bike Swap is a space for community members to sell, shop, and simply share in the greatness of the Bellingham outdoor community. Twenty-five percent of each sale will assist with the funding of Shifting Gears biking and hiking programs that help break barriers preventing all women from experiencing the outdoors and creating a more inclusive outdoor world.
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Bellingham Beer Week is back, as new ‘beer alliance’ promotes local craft breweries
Bellingham Beer Week, an 11-day-long celebration hosted by local breweries, is back for its 10th year from April 18-28.
“For the last decade, Bellingham Beer Week has been an annual celebration of the creative and unique beer scene in Bellingham, making our city a destination for beer drinkers across the Pacific Northwest,” according to a news release from the Bellingham Beer Alliance, an organizing committee for Bellingham’s beer community.
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A Mouthwatering Competition for Sandwich Enthusiasts
Sustainable Connections is thrilled to announce the launch of the second annual Spring Sandwich Showdown, a delectable competition that promises to tantalize taste buds and celebrate culinary creativity.
From April 15 to May 15, sandwich enthusiasts across the region will have the opportunity to indulge in a variety of delectable sandwiches crafted by 37 participating restaurants and cast their votes for the ultimate sandwich champion.
For more information about the Spring Sandwich Showdown, including a list of 37 participating restaurants and voting instructions, visit https://sustainableconnections.org/sandwich-showdown.
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SPARK Museum Launches $2 Million Capital Campaign
The SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention is announcing the launch of a $2 million Capital Campaign to support the expansion of the Museum through the creation of Wonderlab, a fully interactive gallery for youth and families. With $400,000 already pledged as a matching donation, SPARK is excited to tackle their most ambitious project yet with the community at the center of it.
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Pickford Film Center in Bellingham Presents Pixar Classics on the Big Screen for Just $7
Whether you’re revisiting old favorites or introducing the young people in your life to these films for the first time, the theatrical format is essential for appreciating what kind of visual craft PIXAR has to offer in their decades-long history as a studio.
Kid Pickford is Pickford Film Center’s long-running monthly, children’s film series.
Event Details:
Festival Name: Kid Pickford: PIXAR
Dates: April - September 2024
Location: Pickford Film Center, 1318 Bay St. Bellingham, WA
Website: https://www.pickfordfilmcenter.org/kid-pickford
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Twilight Director Catherine Hardwicke In-Person at Pickford Film Center in Bellingham
Hollywood film director Catherine Hardwicke will be at Pickford Film Center in Bellingham, WA on April 27th to introduce, in-person, a one-night-only screening of her 2008 film, Twilight, starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson.
Twilight (2008) is the first in a series of films adapted from the best-selling “Twilight Saga” book series written by Stephanie Meyer.
Tickets on sale now.
Special thanks to CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival, who will be hosting Hardwicke as their guest of honor at this year’s festival.
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