The Birch Bay Buzz
A Weekly Publication of the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce

March 23, 2022
A Word From The Director:

As we prepare for our 2022 summer events, we have some wonderful sponsorship opportunities available. Without sponsorships, our events would not be possible, and they are a great promotional tool for your business.
If you are interested in sponsoring any of our 2022 events please reach out to Sacha for more information: sacha@birchbaychamber.com.

We are also starting our 2022 Volunteer roster. If you are interested in volunteering for any of our events or would like to hang out at the Visitor Center and help welcome our many visitors please reach out to Sacha (sacha@birchbaychamber.com)or Danielle (director@birchbaychamber.com) for more information on how you can help.

2022 Events:
  • Bike Safety Course - May 13th
  • Kite Festival - June 25th & 26th
  • Sand Sculpture Competition - July 30th
  • Rollback Weekend Car Show - July 31st
  • National Night Out - August 2nd
  • Discover Birch Bay Days - August 27th & 28th
  • Trick-or-Treat on the Berm - October 29th
  • Ring of Fire & Hope - December 31st
  • Polar Bear Plunge - January 1st.

If you have any information you would like to share with our Membership and community please email director@birchbaychamber.com by Monday. Newsletters will be sent every Wednesday.
Blaine-Birch Bay Park & Recreational Needs Survey
Please take the time to fill out this survey for our friends at Blaine-Birch Bay Park & Recreation District 2. The survey is short and will only take about 10 - 15 minutes to complete.
This recreational needs assessment survey will help shape the direction of our local Parks & Rec Department. Let them know what is important to you!
Also, your answers are completely anonymous.
BELLINGHAM CHAMBER - SPEAKER SERIES
STATE OF THE STATE: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
The Bellingham Chamber has generously invited the members of the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce to join them for their annual State of the State - Legislative Update. If you would like to attend please be sure to register in advance.

Tuesday, April 19th
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham
714 Lakeway Dr
Bellingham, WA 98229

RSVP is required. 
Pre-registration is required. Registration closes on Tuesday, April 12 at 5:00 PM.

$35 for Members
$45 for Non-members
The ticket includes lunch.

Join us for the annual State of the State Legislative Update featuring the representatives from the 40th and 42nd Districts to talk about their projects, successes, and goals.
WAS YOUR BUSINESS AFFECTED BY THE NOVEMBER FLOODS?
If your business experienced loss from the November 2021 Flooding, please take 15 minutes to fill out the Whatcom County Business Flood Disaster Recovery Questionnaire. By better understanding your current needs, the Long Term Recovery Group can more accurately advocate for additional assistance, such as grants, low-interest loans, and donations of equipment and supplies for your business. If you could still use some help, this is one of the best ways to let people know. Please respond to the questionnaire by Thursday, March 24. Together, we can continue to work toward a full recovery.
 
If you need assistance navigating options available for recovery, please call or email the WWU SBDC at 360.778.1762 or sbdc@wwu.edu to speak with an experienced business advisor.
IN THE NEWS:
Richard Nelson remembered for Birch Bay Development
Courtesy photo from The Northern Light
By Grace McCarthy
The Northern Light

Former Birch Bay developer Richard Nelson, 88, died on March 8. Nelson was known for developing Birch Bay Leisure Park in the 1970s and having a hand in bringing the sewer system to the community, which inevitably changed the area’s landscape. 
Nelson was born in southern California and moved to Washington when his dad retired to a dairy farm north of Marysville. He was involved in real estate projects in eastern Washington before stumbling upon Birch Bay in 1970. Looking for a new real estate project to do at that time, Nelson purchased an 83-acre site where he built 790 RV units and called it Birch Bay Leisure Park. 
“The timeframe coincided with few land-use regulations and significant demand from the Canadian consumer,” said Stephen Nelson, Richard’s brother. “This project charged right ahead.”
The project’s success drew other investors to Birch Bay, Stephen said. Richard organized partnerships with other investors to gain control of about 900 acres in the area – 83 acres at Birch Bay Leisure Park, 260 acres
around Beachwood and BP Cherry Point Refinery, 100 acres by Birch Bay Water and Sewer District facility, 60 acres by Sea Links Golf Course, 40 acres near Alderson and Blaine roads, 225 acres on Kickerville Road and about 100 acres at I-5 and Birch Bay-Lynden Road... Click the link below to continue reading about Richard Nelson.
Welcome New Member:
Listen to the March Episode of the Buzz
Member Info:
Important Information:
Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce
7900 Birch Bay Drive, Blaine, WA 98230
(360) 371-5004
info@birchbaychamber.com
birchbaychamber.com | birchbaywa.org