Bellingham appoints strategist to help businesses navigate city processes

Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund has appointed Darby Galligan as the city’s Urban Transformation Strategist, a new position intended to help businesses and development projects navigate city processes.

The city announced the appointment September 15 and said Galligan began the role August 14. Galligan previously worked in the city’s Planning and Community Development Department.

Responsibilities include helping businesses, developers and creative partners identify incentives and funding opportunities, coordinating projects across departments, and representing Bellingham in regional economic-development work.

The city describes the position as part of the mayor’s June economic-opportunity initiative. Its stated goals include reducing obstacles to business expansion and job creation; the announcement does not report measured outcomes from the new role.