Name: Whatcom County Economic Development Investment (EDI) Board Meeting
Start: 2025-08-26
Location: Whatcom

Attendees

✓ Satpal Singh Sidhu (Whatcom County Executive (Chair))

✓ Mark Stremler (Whatcom County Council)

✓ Andrew Calkins (Bellingham/Whatcom Housing Authority (Housing Representative))

✓ Dan Dunne (Whatcom County Business and Commerce Committee Designee)

✓ Drew Smith (Peoples Bank (Commercial Finance Representative))

✓ Guy Occhiogrosso (Bellingham Whatcom Chamber of Commerce)

✓ Kayla Schott-Bresler (Whatcom County Deputy Executive (Non-voting))

✓ Ken Bell (Port of Bellingham Commissioner)

✓ Kevin Hester (Small Cities Caucus Representative (Mayor of Nooksack))

✓ Kim Lund (Mayor of Bellingham)

✓ Scott Korthius (Small Cities Caucus Representative (Mayor of Lynden))

✓ Tyler Schroeder (Associate Development Organization Representative)

✓ Atul Deshmane (PUD Representative)

✓ Marcus Warolin (Comptroller at Whatcom Community Foundation, Philanthropy Representative)

✓ Present: 14/14

Decisions

#1

PASSED

#2

FAILED

#3

PASSED

Agenda Items

#1

Welcome and Introductions

Chair Sidhu called the meeting to order and emphasized the EDI Board's deadline to finalize recommendations.

#2

Public Comment

Paul Schissler spoke about the importance of housing for strong local economies and the need for additional funding from the state.

#3

Minutes Review and Approval

The board approved the minutes from the August 5, 2025, meeting.

#4

Discussion - Outstanding 2026 Housing Project Applications

The board discussed the remaining housing project applications and the County Council's target allocations for the 2026 EDI funding cycle.

Public Comments

1 speaker

Paul Schissler · Topic: Importance of housing for strong local economies and need for additional funding from the state

Schissler spoke about the importance of housing for strong local economies and the need for additional funding from the state to support affordable housing projects.