Bellingham loses $1.7 Billion in taxes
🚨 Bellingham & Whatcom County are paying a BIG price as part of Washington’s TOP DONOR STATE status!
🚨Washington ranks 3rd nationally in net federal contributions — we send WAY more in taxes than we get back in spending. Latest USAFacts data shows a net loss of about $7,139 per person every year.
For the Bellingham metro area (Whatcom County, home to roughly 235,000–239,000 people), that means an estimated $1.7 BILLION leaves our local economy annually — money that could stay here supporting our ports, trails, Western Washington University, affordable housing, schools, roads, and small businesses!
That's $1.7 BILLION not recirculating in OUR community — instead, it's subsidizing other states while we face housing shortages, infrastructure needs, and budget pressures in our growing region.
Small Businesses & Local Economy Feel It the Most
Bellingham's backbone — independent shops, breweries, outdoor outfitters, contractors, startups, and tourism-related businesses — get hit hardest:
Higher local taxes & fees to cover the federal shortfall: More reliance on sales, property, and other taxes squeezes small ops with thin margins already dealing with high costs and seasonal fluctuations.
Fewer federal grants & programs: Donor states like ours get less per capita for SBA loans, disaster aid, infrastructure grants (e.g., for ports or trails), education support, or rural/community development funds compared to "recipient" states.
Ripple effects on jobs & spending: Less federal investment means fewer contracts, wages, and support for key sectors — leading to tougher times for restaurants, retail, services, and the whole local economy in our vibrant but expensive market.
Extra strain on community needs: Potential shortfalls hit education (WWU research/grants), environmental projects (like bay cleanup), and housing initiatives hard, affecting families, students, and workers.
Our growing economy, beautiful location, and hardworking residents generate real value for the state and nation, but we're acting like the nation's ATM while our own challenges (housing crisis, traffic, small business survival) go underfunded. Frustrating, especially in a place people love to call home!
Want more facts, details, and ways to push for change? Check out Repatriate Washington PAC — a local group educating voters and fighting to end our donor state status:
👉 https://www.repatriatewa.org/
They nail it: Washington sends billions more than we receive — time to demand fairness for ALL parts of the state, including the Bellingham area!
What do you think, Bellingham? Time for more federal equity, or state-level solutions to help our businesses and community? Comment below! 💬 #Bellingham #WhatcomCounty #WashingtonState #DonorState #SmallBusiness #LocalEconomy #RepatriateWA