Year in Review 2018: Blaine Chamber of Commerce

By Carroll Solomon, secretary

The Blaine Chamber of Commerce ended the year with 76 members, 16 of whom were new members. Our business of the year was Touchstone Health Clinic and our featured members of the month were Community Assistance Program, Atwood Ales, Rescue Ranch, Banner Bank, Hagen’s of Blaine, WECU, Vanderpol Realty, Rawganique, Whatcom Talk, Teriyaki Secret, Stafholt Good Samaritan and US Bank.

Our board members in 2018 were Ray Maxon (Ace Hardware), Michael Ebert (Fortiphi Insurance), Carroll Solomon (Blaine Visitor Center), Kimberli Shea (Umpqua Bank), Bob Boule (Smugglers Inn Bed and Breakfast), Louise Mugar (The Northern Light newspaper), Kathy Sitker (Blaine Senior Center), Laura Mossaro (Pizza Factory) and Heidi Holmes (Blaine Birch Bay Parks and Recreation 2).

The chamber was pleased to sponsor many of Blaine’s festivals and events such as Ride to the Border, Bite of Blaine, Old Fashioned 4th, Drayton Harbor Maritime Festival and Holiday Harbor Lights, which brought thousands of visitors to our downtown and harbor resulting in increased sales for local businesses. The chamber also partnered with other organizations supporting all other events and activities in Blaine and some Birch Bay festivities.

This year brought some great changes to our business community. The new Welcome Center and Chamber of Commerce office, Starbucks, Wildbird Treasure Nest Boutique and Rawganique Lifestyle Store & Café opened this year and other construction projects are under way for 2019 openings.

We would like to thank all the businesses and organizations who faithfully support our organization, participate in our community activities and help to make Blaine the very best place to live and work.