The Regional Economic Partnership (REP) at the Port of Bellingham is pleased to announce the Washington State Department of Commerce has. awarded the Port with a $100,000 economic development strategic reserve fund (SRF) grant to assist 360 Modular Building Systems with their expansion efforts in Whatcom County.
“We’re pleased to be able to help the Port and its partners support this exciting expansion project in Whatcom County,” said Lisa Brown, Commerce Director. “Innovative manufacturers like 360 Modular Building Systems have tremendous potential to create good, family-wage jobs and fuel sustainable economic growth in Washington’s rural communities.”
360 Modular Building Systems got its start in Whatcom County in December 2020 working with Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham to build 50 individual emergency weather shelters for the local houseless population. The factory is located at 5530 Nordic Place, near the Ferndale Haggen grocery store.
“It’s great to see a promising new enterprise thrive in Whatcom County. The fact that 360 was able to launch this project in the middle of a pandemic is a testimony to the vision of their leadership team,” said Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu. “I must also commend the Regional Economic Partnership, which did an enormous amount of work to attract the business and set the stage for its expansion, including helping to secure this grant from the Department of Commerce.”
The company specializes in building pre-fabricated buildings such as single-family homes, multifamily units, and hospitality products. The modules are pre-built at their Ferndale factory and then quickly assembled on-site.
“360 is bringing a much-needed commercial and residential product to Whatcom County as well as the entire Pacific Northwest,” said Don Goldberg, Director of the Regional Economic Partnership (REP) at the Port. “By reducing the cost of building, modular construction offers one important solution to the nationwide housing crisis.”
Ferndale’s manufacturing cluster has continued to grow through COVID-19. “The Chamber is pleased to see another addition of an innovative manufacturer in Ferndale!” said Anya Milton, Executive Director of the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce. “360 Modular Building Systems brings solutions to local problems through the provision of living wage jobs and products that can help combat the housing shortage in Whatcom County.”
The economic development grant for 360 Modular Systems contributes to over $1.5 million dollars in investments into the Ferndale facility and will aid in the retention of ten employees and the hiring of 35 additional employees by the end of June 2021 and 75 employees total in a five-year period.
“Sustainable economic development is an important part of the Port’s mission and we are pleased to help bring state grant funding to 360 Modular Building Systems and help another local company grow and create new jobs for Whatcom County residents,” said Port Executive Director Rob Fix.
Ferndale Mayor Greg Hansen welcomed 360 to the community and noted “We are grateful and excited for the continued growth of Ferndale’s newest manufacturer. Ferndale is a great place to grow your business and we are proud of 360 Modular for leading the way.”
About the Regional Economic Partnership: The Regional Economic Partnership (REP) at the Port of Bellingham is the associate development organization for Whatcom County. REP is funded by the Washington State Department of
Commerce, Whatcom County, the Port of Bellingham, and the City of Bellingham. The goal of REP is to retain and attract livable wage jobs and to assist businesses, entrepreneurs, and local organizations to thrive. The group works intensively with local and regional partners to create a resilient community and economy for all and to address the magnitude of COVID-19 impacts. The team has expertise in financing, planning, research, real estate, and technology for the purpose of
helping businesses start, develop, and grow throughout Whatcom County, Washington. For more information about the Regional Economic Partnership, please visit www.portofbellingham.com/154/Economic-Development.
About the Port of Bellingham: The Port is a county-wide municipal corporation with a mission to promote sustainable economic development, optimize transportation gateways, and manage publicly owned land and facilities to benefit Whatcom County. Throughout Whatcom County, the Port owns, operates and maintains
approximately 1600 acres of property including a shipping terminal, a cruise terminal, two marinas, industrial development areas, commercial uplands, parklands, shoreline public access areas and an international airport. For more information about the Port of Bellingham, please visit https://www.portofbellingham.com/
About 360 Modular Building Systems: 360 Modular Building Systems was built from the ground up on the idea that change within the construction industry was long overdue. With labor costs rising, margins shrinking, and stagnant productivity, our innovative build processes and efficiencies can help to keep your next project
moving along on time and on budget. Within our state-of-the-art, climate-controlled construction environment, costs are more easily managed and timelines more easily known. Productivity goes up. Costs go down. That is our sweet spot. By revolutionizing the entire construction process from design to build, we are able to deliver higher quality, safer, more environmentally sustainable, and
healthier living spaces. Based out of Ferndale, Washington, 360 Modular serves both the western United States and Canada. For more information about 360 Modular Building Systems, please call: 360.505.0360.
