Maritime Economic Development: Bellingham
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Bellingham: Local Solar Panel Manufacturer Expanding to the Waterfront
The Bellingham Port Commission has authorized a Purchase and Sale agreement with Pando Innovations, LLC (Itek Energy) for approximately two acres of property and a 48,000-square-foot warehouse near Bellingham’s downtown waterfront.
The transaction allows Itek Energy, a manufacturer of solar panels, to expand and hire additional employees to meet demand for commercial and residential applications.
The company currently employs 95 full-time workers and plans to hire 30 more after the new plant is up and running.
"Working with the good people at Itek to help them grow and strengthen our economy has been a genuine pleasure," said Port Commission President Michael McAuley. "Their choice to make Bellingham's core the preferred location for expansion was a welcome surprise as the Port works to backfill jobs lost when GP closed."
The negotiated sale price for the land and the warehouse is approximately $1.7 million. Itek Energy plans make upgrades to the warehouse using a variety of sustainable approaches, including solar energy, natural light, recycled materials, and resource efficiency to minimize environmental impacts and create and healthier and more comfortable working environment.
"We are excited to help a local company grow and expand their workforce," said Port Executive Director Rob Fix. "Whatcom County has a strong and diverse manufacturing sector and Itek Energy is another great example that this is an excellent place to do business."
The property is located within the port’s 237-acre downtown waterfront redevelopment area.
Last month, the port finished the environmental cleanup work necessary to support the mixed-use redevelopment of 19 acres of waterfront property near the Itek Energy parcel. The first road, park and commercial building are on schedule to be open to the public next year. Harcourt Developments, a private development partner, recently announced plans to build four large-scale projects on the waterfront within the next several years.
The port is also building a $10 million manufacturing facility for local boat builder All American Marine. It continues to market developable property to help rebuild the waterfront economy.
The Bellingham Port Commission has authorized a Purchase and Sale agreement with Pando Innovations, LLC (Itek Energy) for approximately two acres of property and a 48,000-square-foot warehouse near Bellingham’s downtown waterfront.
The transaction allows Itek Energy, a manufacturer of solar panels, to expand and hire additional employees to meet demand for commercial and residential applications.
The company currently employs 95 full-time workers and plans to hire 30 more after the new plant is up and running.
"Working with the good people at Itek to help them grow and strengthen our economy has been a genuine pleasure," said Port Commission President Michael McAuley. "Their choice to make Bellingham's core the preferred location for expansion was a welcome surprise as the Port works to backfill jobs lost when GP closed."
The negotiated sale price for the land and the warehouse is approximately $1.7 million. Itek Energy plans make upgrades to the warehouse using a variety of sustainable approaches, including solar energy, natural light, recycled materials, and resource efficiency to minimize environmental impacts and create and healthier and more comfortable working environment.
"We are excited to help a local company grow and expand their workforce," said Port Executive Director Rob Fix. "Whatcom County has a strong and diverse manufacturing sector and Itek Energy is another great example that this is an excellent place to do business."
The property is located within the port’s 237-acre downtown waterfront redevelopment area.
Last month, the port finished the environmental cleanup work necessary to support the mixed-use redevelopment of 19 acres of waterfront property near the Itek Energy parcel. The first road, park and commercial building are on schedule to be open to the public next year. Harcourt Developments, a private development partner, recently announced plans to build four large-scale projects on the waterfront within the next several years.
The port is also building a $10 million manufacturing facility for local boat builder All American Marine. It continues to market developable property to help rebuild the waterfront economy.
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