Center for Economic Vitality

Western Washington University College of Business and Economics

Advancing the Economic Vitality of Our Communities

About Us

Who we are

We offer three services to our communities:

Counseling/Technical Services

We have been helping businesses stabilize and grow in Whatcom County, Washington since 1983. Our business strategists provide in-depth, confidential business advice to businesses, free-of-change in Whatcom County. Call 733-4014 for an appointment. 

Research Services/Economic Gardening

For 24 years we've been strengthening businesses and communities by integrating business intelligence research tools with counseling in Whatcom County. Today, thanks to funding from the Washington State legislature, we've expanded our "economic gardening" research services to all Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and rural Economic Development Councils (EDCs) in Washington State. Contact Tom Dorr for more information. 

Special Projects

We're also involved in special projects on a fee-for-service basis for local governments, non-profit organizations, and economic development service providers. Examples of past special projects include surveys, feasibility studies, cost/benefit analysis, and business plan development to support our community and economic development partners. Contact Tom Dorr for more information.

While we started out as an outreach program at Western Washington University's College of Business & Economics, we have evolved into an important partner with local governments, other economic development service providers and our clients in driving economic vitality across the Pacific Northwest.