State representatives prioritize border-blocked Point Roberts

In her May 6 “What next” update, representative Sharon Shewmake included support for Point Roberts as one of her top priorities for the next legislative session.

Representative Alicia Rule's Main Street program bill passed this session, which allows the Point to form a non-profit similar to the Downtown Bellingham Partnership. The Point can now take advantage of a tax credit worth 75 percent of contributions given to the formed organization, according to RCW 82.73. It would also give Point Roberts a centralized organization to partner with and promote businesses and the community.

But Shewmake says there's more work to do. “We also need to be strategic about Point Roberts and its business sector which is reliant on tourists from Canada,” she said.

Shewmake and Rule will continue to reach out to residents to look for strategic ways to help out the Point and advocate for relaxed restrictions between the Point and the rest of Whatcom County, she said.