Each December, the Whatcom Business Alliance gathers the county’s business community for its signature event: the Economic Forecast Breakfast. This year’s edition delivered what local leaders needed most — a clear-eyed view of where the national economy is heading, followed by an unflinching look at what that means for Whatcom County specifically. The message from both presentations: 2026 will bring growth, but navigating it requires understanding both the macro forces at play and the unique challenges we face at home.