Whatcom County is full of opportunity
Rising costs will continue to push essential workers and families farther from the communities they help sustain. We have an opportunity to create lasting solutions to these challenges.
Designed for lasting public value
The Millworks is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform the Bellingham Waterfront into the vibrant space this community deserves with the housing, childcare, and small business support it needs.
The Millworks is developed in the public interest, where returns are measured in all the ways that help a community prosper: stable families, economic opportunities, stronger businesses, and a more resilient Whatcom County.
That means creating more opportunities for our neighbors to spend time more time with their families and community, save more, and enjoy financial security.
Whatcom County has the building blocks for everyone to thrive
The Millworks is unfolding in phases
Phase 1
83 affordable homes and an early learning center
The first phase delivered 83 permanently affordable rental units and an early learning and childcare center. These homes reached full occupancy within months, demonstrating the enormous unmet needs.
Phase 2
More housing, job creation, and gathering space
The next phase will expand the project with 100+ units of workforce housing, a food business incubator, nonprofit workspace, and outdoor gathering spaces. Now we need community investment to make it happen.
Beyond Phase 2
A model for community-centered development
Everyone benefits when essential workers can live locally, small businesses can get a start or a boost, neighbors can gather, and the waterfront is alive with activity and vibrancy. The Millworks is designed to demonstrate how public benefit, private partnership, philanthropy, and place-based investment can create lasting commnity benefit for Whatcom County.
