BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Over half of surveyed local businesses in Whatcom County say their business has been impacted by the drop in Canadian visitors.

That’s according to the results of a newly released survey by the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and WWU Border Policy Research Institute.

Roughly half of the 58 local businesses that responded between May and June said the drop in cross-border travel is damaging their business.

Over 70% of the businesses said the newly enacted and proposed U.S. tariffs are expected to directly impact them.

BPRI Director Dr. Laurie Trautman told My Bellingham Now that the number of cars coming from B.C. into Whatcom County in May was down 47% compared to the same month last year.

“I would say it’s probably affecting retail more than anything else,” Trautman said. “We know that Canadians just have a pretty significant impact on our retail sales, especially in places like Blaine, Lynden and Sumas.”

Several businesses in the survey also noted that the increased cost of imported wood will have a direct impact on repair costs for homes and businesses.

Other businesses supported the tariffs and their aim to increase domestic manufacturing.

Read the full findings of the survey on CEDAR.