Business
Congressman visits Ferndale, Bellingham to talk business, infrastructure
April 7, 2023 at 4:57 p.m.
U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen visited Ferndale and Bellingham on Friday, April 7, meeting with leaders at Bellingham Technical College and touring two businesses to discuss operations and priorities.
Larsen first toured Marcon Metalfab's Ferndale facility, speaking to president Ari Burstein about the company's production of components for infrastructure projects around the country, including brigdes. The Ferndale location opened in March 2021 at Grandview Industrial Park, and employs 48 full-time staff.
Larsen is lead Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and recently supported the bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The law has poured $2.1 billion in roads, bridges, roadway safety and other major projects in Washington state.
The congressman next met with Bellingham Technical College President Jim Lemerond, Board of Trustees Chair Rick Kaiser, and others to discuss ways to make short-term job training initiatives accessible for low-income students.
Larsen ended his Whatcom County visit with a tour of Chuckanut Bay Distillery in downtown Bellingham with co-owner Matt Howell. Howell spoke about the future of the business, including its plans to expand the second-floor event space and an upward expansion: a rooftop bar that is set to open by the summer.