When the Shell Oil refinery settled on March Point in 1953, the town was in dire straits. Recently, city leaders cupping their hands to their ears have heard a decidedly softer sound than the chugging of steam-driven locomotives. It's the sound of laptops clacking. Already, health software company SunSystems Inc. has set up base here with 100 employees. And the company is in final negotiations with the Port of Anacortes to build a facility that would employ 300 more.
City administrators describe such industries as a perfect fit.
Salaries are high, environmental impact is low. And an influx of young families would keep the city growing. Fabulous big city stuff.