Whatcom County is heavily dependent upon the living wage jobs provided by employers in the Cherry Point Industrial Zone. Allocating 150,000 dollars of tax payer money for a study to find legal ways to limit Cherry Point Industrial businesses is directly in conflict with the wellbeing of all Whatcom County residents. Cherry point industries support 11% of all Whatcom County jobs, and contribute over 200 million dollars in annual tax revenue. Those tax dollars are critical for our schools, health services, and county infrastructure. Cherry Point Industries need to be able to adapt to changing markets. Further regulation at the local level is both superfluous and dangerous. Signers of this petition disapprove of current comprehensive plan language which prevents shipping expansion and the proposed study. Signers instead choose to support the Whatcom County business alliance proposal alternative.
