public involvement practice
—Project Snapshot: Dumas & Associates, Inc. team, Mary Dumas and Susan Carpenter, assessed public involvement practices in 5 departments at the City of Bellingham. Input from 237 stakeholders, a mix of public officials, administration, advisory commissions, neighborhood association leaders, and community activists, provided valuable insight on capacity-building opportunities.
—Results: The 2006 Public Involvement Assessment findings provide the Mayor, City Council, department heads, and Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee practical strategies to contribute to ongoing improvements in city-sponsored public involvement activities.
regional economic conditions
—Project Snapshot: Business leaders’ perspectives regarding economic conditions in Whatcom County, Washington were analyzed to inform a regional asset mapping project. Western Washington University’s Center for Economic & Business Research’s research and advisory team conducted survey and interviews. Dumas & Associates, Inc. facilitated the inter-disciplinary analysis work sessions and documentation of initial and final findings.
—Results: Emerging themes and key regional concerns summarized in the Interview Report and other asset mapping data will further the Northwest Economic Council’s efforts to develop a regional economic strategy for Whatcom County.
