The Milken Institute ranks Bellingham 35th in the nation for 2012.
That is up 69 places from 2011 when Bellingham was ranked 104.
The Milken Index is an overall snapshot of how regional economies perform.
Mayor Kelli Linville says this is the first time Bellingham has received national “best of” recognition in a category beyond ecological sustainability and quality of life.
She says she is proud of the ranking because it lets people know Bellingham is a good place to do business.
