2024 Annual Report
From Our Director
Dear Downtown Bellingham Community, Supporters, and Friends,
As I reflect on 2024, my heart is filled with gratitude and excitement for the future of Downtown Bellingham. After 16 years with the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, stepping into the role of Executive Director is a true honor. I am inspired daily by the dedication of our community to build a vibrant, welcoming, and prosperous Downtown-and I am eager to lead us forward into a bold future.
This year, we've inspired more visitors to return Downtown through our award-winning events and a multimedia marketing campaign reaching 3.2M eyes and ears with compelling reasons to rediscover Downtown and build a bold future together. This campaign was vital in encouraging locals to return, bringing energy and support back to our small businesses. Here are just a few highlights that demonstrate our commitment to improving Downtown:
Downtown Sounds 20th Anniversary broke records with 26,000 attendees experiencing free music and community spirit, showcasing the power of shared experiences.
Flowers Bring Joy from April to November; our Landscaping Team adorned Downtown with 40+ baskets of begonias, petunias, and vines, adding beauty and vibrancy to our streets.
Graffiti & Visual Litter Abatement program removed over 2,000 pieces of graffiti, keeping our streets clean through cooperation with partners at the City and Police Department.
Micro Grants Make Macro Impact by bringing new energy to Downtown in exciting ways:
Community Activation Zone Grants supported over a dozen summer events like silent discos and makers markets, breathing life into Commercial Street and the retail core.
Storefront Improvement Grants helped six businesses reduce expenses for facelifts to their signage and entryways, enhancing the shopping and dining district's curb appeal.
Holiday Window Display Grants injected small but mighty funding to allow 30 businesses to invest in festive decor and collectively allow Downtown to shine bright all season long.
Busking Grants supported local musicians performing during First Fridays, enriching the downtown experience and expanding our monthly event's economic impact.
As we celebrate these milestones, we're also looking ahead. In 2025, we will embark on an ambitious three-year strategic planning process to envision a future that's bold, inclusive, and transformative. Thank you for being part of our journey and believing in Downtown Bellingham's future.