116 years later, the message remains the same
Hanging on the wall of my office is an article from the Aug. 26, 1905, issue of The Puget Sound American, a short-lived newspaper that was published from 1904 to 1906 right here in Whatcom County.
Titled “Knocking against city becomes a disease,” the article claimed — in somewhat negative language — that Bellingham was destined to grow, as long as its citizens focused on taking actions that build up the city instead of continuously complaining and “knocking” people down.
The article’s three subheads provide a good summation of that point:
- “Do Something to Build Up the Place in Which You Live.”
- “Attract Easterners by Enthusiasm for County’s Natural Resources.”
- “Bellingham Is Bound to Grow if Proper Spirit is Shown.”
While we wouldn’t make this argument today in quite the same tone employed by Frank C. Teck, the former secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, we do find ourselves contemplating some of Teck’s arguments.
Watch: Chamber President/CEO Guy Occhiogrosso read the article from Frank C. Teck, his predecessor from 116 years back (embedded below)
Given the beauty and popularity of our area, it’s easy enough to get people to move to Whatcom County. It’s another thing, however, to build a healthy and equitable community — jobs, housing, resources, opportunities — that allows them to stay. That’s why positivity from county residents and business owners is so important to the upbuilding of Bellingham and its environs.
Civic advocates and cheerleaders — those who bring about positive change and who do the work it takes to ensure the overall vitality of our community — are critical to the long-term success of our region.
What’s more, businesses can support other businesses by sourcing much of what they need from each other. When manufacturing companies, for example, use locally sourced materials, they are supporting the producers of those materials and encouraging other companies to move here.
In addition to helping companies choose Whatcom County as a place to set up shop, we also need to be fervent in supporting those businesses that already have put down roots in the area.
That’s why we should shop and buy local. When we do so, we’re keeping our dollars in the community, supporting other families just like ours. Buying products made in Bellingham or grown in Whatcom County can result in lowered unemployment, strengthened home sales, more spending at other local stores and industries, and even reductions in property taxes as the tax base grows, among myriad other benefits that add to the health of Whatcom County.
We also want to push even further than Teck’s vision, driving for a resilient and equitable society that ensures each and every resident is supported by the community and has the chance to succeed. Whatcom County is growing not just in numbers, but in diversity, and that’s a great thing for us all — as long as we maintain a shared vision for community prosperity and develop new policies that support everyone.
Each of us has a role to play. Each of us can “do something to build up the place in which we live.”
While nobody can do everything necessary to help the region grow and improve, everybody can do something — whether that’s buying local, patronizing hometown restaurants, using the services of our neighbors, buying from other Whatcom County companies, choosing to do work that brings about change instead of complaining without action, or simply “showing the proper spirit.”
We live in an area of enormous potential. Given the beauty of our natural surroundings, our proximity to the major markets of Seattle and Vancouver, and our supportive sense of community, it’s no wonder that Bellingham and Whatcom County have been growing strongly for more than a century. Thank you all for your help in ensuring that our area continues to thrive.
-Guy Occhiogrosso, President/CEO