Local

Local developer donates $50M to Bellingham hospital

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham has received a huge boost to help expand its facility.

A $50 million donation came from local developer Peter Paulsen.

Paulsen is best known in Whatcom County for developing the Hotel Bellwether. He sold the hotel in 2010 but has continued to give back to the community.

Hospital officials said the money will be used for a six-story, 120,000-square-foot expansion that includes a new emergency department and family care area.

Paulsen has previously given to the hospital’s hospice programs.