Finalists Announced for 2026 Business Awards

Changing Faces, Changing Places

Share your business news today

Has your team recently welcomed a new hire, celebrated a promotion, or marked a retirement? Kitsap Business magazine's Changing Faces, Changing Places section highlights the people powering our local business community. Chamber members are invited to share their staff updates for inclusion in an upcoming issue.

Send your announcements to news@kitsapbusiness.com and let us help you recognize the faces behind your success.

Member Spotlight

The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to recognize Olympic College as our October Member of the Month! As a pillar of education and economic development in Kitsap County, Olympic College continues to make a lasting impact on our community.

Where Education Meets Opportunity

Olympic College has long been a driving force in Kitsap County’s growth and success. As one of the region’s largest employers, OC provides affordable, high-quality education and workforce training that directly supports local business development. Their graduates enter critical industries like healthcare, maritime, technology, manufacturing, and public service - helping to power the local economy from the ground up.

But Olympic College is more than just an educational institution - it’s a community partner. Their programs are designed to meet the real-world needs of Kitsap’s workforce, and their commitment to student success is evident in every classroom, lab, and training center.

Local Partnerships, Regional Progress

Olympic College works hand-in-hand with the Greater Kitsap Chamber, local school districts, and industry leaders to ensure their programs align with current workforce demands. From hosting Chamber events to supporting youth mentorship and business development initiatives, OC’s faculty and staff are deeply engaged in building a stronger, more connected Kitsap.

Their customized corporate training programs and apprenticeship opportunities allow local employers to upskill their teams without sending talent out of the region — a win-win for businesses and the community alike.

A Legacy of Impact and Innovation

This year, Olympic College received a transformational $1 million gift from the Tim Ryan family, expanding access to scholarships and educational initiatives for local learners. The college also launched new career pathways and advocated for modernization projects like West Sound Tech, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and regional development.

Olympic College truly embodies the Chamber’s mission of building a stronger Kitsap through education, collaboration, and economic opportunity. We are honored to spotlight their achievements and continued impact on Kitsap County.

https://www.olympic.edu/

Advocacy Committee

28th Annual Eggs & Issues

Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 8:00am

Join us for our upcoming Eggs & Issues at Cloverleaf Sports Bar & Grill with the candidates for Bremerton City Council positions 3 & 7: Christy Cammarata, Michael Simonds, Rick Tift, and Matthew Baptiste-Cerra.

A no-host breakfast will be available.

28th Annual Eggs & Issues

Thursday, October 23, 2025, 8:00am

This year we're expanding Eggs & Issues to North Kitsap with a candidate forum for the Poulsbo Mayoral Race. Join us on October 23rd at Vibe Coworks to hear from Dan Weedin and Ed Stern.

Business & Professional Development Committee

Member Education & Training Resources

SCORE: Chat GPT for your Small Business

Thursday, October 16, 2025, 12:00pm

Are you ready to take your small business's social media marketing to the next level? In today's digital age, harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a game-changer. Join our exclusive workshop, "Chat GPT for Your Small Business," and discover how AI can revolutionize your social media marketing efforts.

Registration Fee: FREE

Murder Mystery Writing Class

Saturday, October 25, 2025, 8:00am

CMMC-PNW 2-Day Conference

October 27 - October 28, 2025

CMMC-PNW 2025 is the Pacific Northwest’s most targeted event for defense contractors preparing for CMMC certification. Whether you’re just starting or preparing for a Level 2 audit, this event gives you the clarity and tools to succeed.

What You’ll Learn

The difference between FCI and CUI – and how to handle each securely
How to determine whether Level 1 or Level 2 certification is required
How to self-assess, prepare for third-party audits, and avoid common mistakes
How to implement enclave solutions and isolation strategies to reduce cost and risk
What Rule 32 and Rule 48 mean for your current and upcoming DoD contracts
Step-by-step walkthroughs of real-world compliance strategies

CMMC-PNW 2025 will be hosted at the Clearwater Casino in Suquamish, WA, a scenic venue offering convenience and comfort for attendees.

A limited block of discounted hotel rooms will be available to conference participants. Group rates are valid through September 15, 2025, or until sold out. Be sure to reserve your room early once booking links are released.

Summit Workshop: Cybersecurity

Friday, October 17, 2025, 9:30am

Evergreen Goodwill

Kitap County Job Training and Education

October 20 - December 11, 2025

Empowering Employers:

Hiring the New Generation

Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 9:00am

SCORE: Financial Basics

for New Small Businesses

Wednesday, October 23, 2025, 1:00pm

This workshop is designed to give you, the business owner, the financial skills and know-how needed to perform key tasks like to determine how to accurately compute the amount of funding you’ll need to start your business. You will also learn how to project your future financial results realistically including:

Projecting sales for a new business
Understanding your cost of goods sold and gross margin
Being able to project your operating expenses
Calculating your net income.
Planning your cash flow successfully.

This workshop includes a special section on creating financial statements for service businesses.

Proper management of finances is crucial to any business’s success and a special set of skills is needed to understand and create these critical financial statements. This workshop is suitable for everyone whether you are starting a new business or need to update your skills.

This is an interactive workshop. We encourage participation by all attendees -- so bring along your questions!

Registration Fee: $10

Virtual Small Business Lending Series

Office of Minority Women's Business Enterprises

Thursday, October 23, 2025, 10:00

This series is an on-going effort to address access to capital for small businesses. Connect with small business lenders participating in the Linked Deposit and other loan programs.

Why should you attend?

Learn about loan programs for your stage in business.
Access to capital for early-stage businesses and those thinking about starting a business (Session 3).
Access to capital for established businesses to fund business growth, mobilize new project(s), or stabilize cash flow fluctuations (Session 4).

Business Education Support & Training

Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 6:00pm

WSHRMA: Fall Leadership Conference

Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 9:00am

Firebrand Unconference

Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 9:00am

Business News & Resources

Holiday Season Could Be at Risk as

Federal Shutdown Continues

Published in WA Retail Association, October 9, 2025

Photo courtesy of WA Retail Association

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is urging Congress to end the federal government shutdown that began on October 1 after lawmakers failed to approve a spending bill for the 2026 fiscal year. The NRF warns that a prolonged shutdown could weaken consumer confidence and dampen retail sales during the holiday season, a vital period for the nation’s economy.

The NRF highlighted that reduced income for federal employees, along with wider economic uncertainty, could lead consumers to curb spending by tens of billions of dollars. Disruptions in trade and supply chain operations could also create ripple effects for retailers and manufacturers across the country. Small businesses are particularly vulnerable, as many operate with limited margins and may struggle to absorb delays or drops in sales.

Roughly 900,000 federal workers have been furloughed, with another 700,000 continuing to work without pay. A White House analysis estimates that the shutdown could reduce U.S. GDP by about $15 billion for each week it continues. As of October 6, congressional negotiations remain at an impasse, leaving the retail industry bracing for potential fallout as the holiday shopping season approaches.

Business Quick-Reads

Quick and interesting reads for employers, employees,

local leaders, and everyone in between!

Courtesy of Inc.com

Courtesy of entreprenuer.com

L&I Resources

The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to serve as a resource partner with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Stay tuned to this section quarterly for education, resources and more from L&I.

Workplace Rights Refresher

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There's a lot to know as an employer - get clarity on, and learn about, some of the commonly misunderstood or lesser-known employee rights.

Immigration Status Coercion

Employers may not use immigration status to coerce an employee from engaging in protected activities or exercising labor law rights. Workers may file a complaint with L&I that is enforceable with civil penalties.

Job Posting Restriction

Employers cannot require a valid driver’s license as a condition of employment or include such a statement in a job posting unless driving is one of the essential job functions or is related to a legitimate business purpose for a position.

PSL for Employees

It’s fall which means it’s PSL time, and I'm not talking about Pumpkin Spice Lattes here; I'm talking about Paid Sick Leave. Don’t forget your paid sick leave basics:

Employees accrue one paid sick leave hour for every 40 hours worked, paid at their normal hourly compensation
You must provide a one-time written or electronic notification to each employee detailing their paid sick leave rights.
Review what paid sick leave can be used for, which includes a few new additions:
self or family’s health needs;
child’s school or daycare closures for government-declared emergencies;
absences related to domestic violence;
and for absences resulting from the need to prepare for or participate in judicial or administrative immigration proceedings involving the employee or the employee's family member.
Note: Family also includes anyone living with the employee where there is some expectation of care.
Be sure to visit the Paid Sick Leave page to see all the requirements

Got a question or issue to be solved?

Call L&I's Small Business Liaisons for assistance.

Phone: 1-800-987-0145

Email: SmallBusiness@Lni.wa.go v | Negocios@Lni.wa.gov

Online: Lni.wa.gov/SmallBusiness

Nonprofit News & Resources

How to Build a Robust

Mid-Level Donor Program

Published in Nonprofit Pro, October 10, 2025

Photo: Getty Images/Morsa Images

For years, most nonprofits have struggled with the same problem: The number of donors is declining. Additionally, many continue to bet that the same major donors will contribute again. But the fundraising environment has changed, and depending on your mission, it’s essential to expand your donor base rather than gamble with your mission. That’s where mid-level donors come into the picture.

Mid-level donors — along with micro-sponsorships at lower dollar levels — are the type of donors I would focus on if I were leading a nonprofit again. These donors, typically give between $250 and $1,000, clearly want to support your organization. Many would like to be partners. They’re regular supporters who can give more if you build a strong relationship with them.

Why This Matters Right Now

If you follow nonprofit fundraising trends, you know the challenges. And if you’ve struggled to raise funds in the past, things are only becoming more uncertain. Don’t be surprised if some donors pull back or hesitate when you call for a gift. Consider these realities:

The number of donors continues to shrink.
Nonprofits are struggling to retain donors.
Donors giving between $1 and $100 — the vast majority — declined by more than 11%.
Economic pressures are squeezing both nonprofits and donors.
Donor fatigue is real, and nonprofits can expect more government-related costs.

In short, the situation in many fundraising departments is a challenge. There are too many chaotic things happening at the same time, and it’s time for your nonprofit to join others retrenching and scaling their breadth of revenue streams. Focusing on mid-level and smaller micro-sponsors is the best approach to minimize your risk.

Community Conversations: Estate Planning

Sunday, October 19, 2025, 2:30pm

Washington now has the highest state estate tax in the nation — and with upcoming federal tax changes in 2026, even more families will be affected. Join us for this session to learn about the new changes to tax laws and how to navigate them as nonprofits.

NAWA: Boards in Gear Workshop

Thursday, November 13, 2025, 10:30am

Whether your nonprofit is just starting or is long established, getting your board in gear can help put your organization on a clear path forward. You are invited to join Nonprofit Association of Washington in Shelton on November 13 for a half-day Boards in Gear Workshop.

At this workshop, you will learn tips to build a solid foundation for your organization by strengthening your board's knowledge, performance, decision-making, and ability to take action. Thanks to support from the Washington Office of the Secretary of State and Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, you can attend for free!

Greater Kitsap News

Wait for New WA Ferries Grows Even Longer

Published in The WA State Standard, October 9, 2025

Image: Tom Banse

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson celebrated the state’s award of a $715 million contract for three hybrid electric ferries in July as a milestone in his drive to improve the nation’s largest ferry system.

But under that contract, Washington State Ferries riders will wait a year longer than planned for a new plug-in vessel to bring some relief to the stressed-out system.

That’s because in exchange for a bid that was hundreds of millions of dollars less than a local competitor, the Florida-based firm Ferguson selected will have until 2030 to deliver the first of the three ferries.

Washington State Ferries urgently needs new boats to improve its reliability and restore service to pre-pandemic levels. This is the first time in more than 50 years that Washington has turned to an out-of-state shipbuilder to procure new car ferries.

The state specified, as part of the bid terms, that the first boat arrive in 2029. But the final ferry construction contract shows Eastern Shipbuilding got changes to deliver the first boat in August 2030, the second boat by August 2031, and a third the following year.

Enforcement for Parking in

Downtown Poulsbo Begins in November

Published in The Kitsap Sun, October 13, 2025

Image: Meegan M. Reid/Kitsap Sun

The fight to find a parking spot in downtown Poulsbo could finally see some relief, as the city prepares to begin enforcing timed parking limits next month.

Starting November 1, visitors to Front Street and surrounding areas of downtown will now be subject to warnings and eventually fines for exceeding the posted time limits in parking areas. Poulsbo Police Chief Ron Harding said the new enforcement system will only distribute notices to violators during the first two weeks, but after November 15 violations could cost up to $250.

The city has contracted with national private parking firm LAZ Parking to monitor enforcement, which Harding said will have employees onsite in vehicles equipped with license plate readers to determine if visitors are parked in the correct zones and abiding by posted time limits.

The enforcement zone begins to the north at Sunset Street, in the Poulsbo Place development, and is bordered by the waterfront all the way to the end of the Port of Poulsbo marina, and 3rd Avenue is the border to the east, running behind city hall to Moe Street, along the back side of the Front Street business district.

"Our law enforcement didn't have the resources to enforce it consistently because of other calls and parking was just kind of a lower priority," Harding said. "So, contracting it out made sense to increase the availability of parking so that more people could shop and do things downtown."

CENTRAL KITSAP ROAD REPORT

BREMERTON ROAD REPORT

Community Information

Strawberry Creek Community Mosaic

Saturday, October 25, 2025, 10:30am

Kitsap Halloween Bash

Saturday, October 25, 2025, 1:00pm

Calloween in Charleston

Saturday, October 25th, 2025, 5:00pm

Bring your crew to Charleston for this year's Calloween! Your friends, family, and neighbors of all ages will have a great time!

Things to look forward to:

Dance in the street with DJ Vinny of Beats N' Cats Records spinning tunes and keeping the vibes right!
Spooky stories from the stage from Kitsap Literary Artists and Writers
Dancers at La Poblanita
Haunted cars from American NW Recycling
Old fashioned cake walk with treats from McGavin's Bakery

DBA Trick-or-Treat Street

Friday, October 31st, 2025, 5:00pm

Strawberry Creek Ribbon Cutting

Saturday, November 1, 2025, 11:00am

Kitsap Salmon Tours

Saturday, November 1, 2025

Join us in late 2025 at 8 different stream sites across the county as we explore all things salmon with biologists, local environmental organizations, and trained docents. This FREE event offers exciting opportunities such as interactive activities, guided walks, and much more, with different activities at each site. You can discover local salmon species, their lifecycles, and the role you play in their survival. Bring your family, gather your friends, and prepare your questions. Join us in experiencing this remarkable migration firsthand.

Veteran's Day Ceremony

Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 9:00am

Port Gamble Ghost Walk

October 2025 - April 2026

Masks Still Available

Free at the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center

The Greater Kitsap Chamber still has some supplies available if your local business is in need of KN95 masks. Pick up your supply at both GKC locations today. Available while supplies last.

Tourism Information

Clearwater Casino Presents:

Spike and the Impalers Rock

Friday, October 17, 2025, 8:30pm

Morris Day & The Time

Saturday, October 18, 2025, 7:00pm

Face the Music - Electric Light Orchestra Tribute

Saturday, October 18, 2025, 8:30pm

BCT Presents: The Liar

October 10 - October 19, 2025

Get ready for a whirlwind of witty wordplay and hilarious mix-ups! David Ives, the master of theatrical adaptation, takes Pierre Corneille's classic French farce, Le Menteur, and infuses it with his signature brand of dazzling linguistic acrobatics and laugh-out-loud humor.

Meet Dorante, a charming and utterly incorrigible liar who has just arrived in Paris and is determined to woo the woman of his dreams. The only problem? He's convinced he knows who she is, but he's actually fallen for the wrong girl – and he's spinning an increasingly elaborate web of fabrications to impress her and everyone else around him! With mistaken identities, romantic misunderstandings, and a servant who literally can't tell a lie, The Liar is a comedic tour de force that will leave you breathless with laughter.

Don't miss this sparkling, rapid-fire romp that proves even the biggest lies can lead to the most delightful truths (eventually!). It's a comedic masterpiece for anyone who loves a good story – especially when it's completely made up!

Francesco Crosara @ The Roxy Theatre

Thursday, October 23, 2025, 7:00pm

Within/Earshot Jazz Festival 2025

Batuque: Journey Through Brazil

Friday, October 24, 2025, 7:00pm

Dive deep into the rich and multifaceted traditions of Brazilian music, showcasing its virtuosity, diversity, and depth beyond the familiar sounds of samba and carnival. From the pioneering work of Joaquim Calado to the vibrant rhythms of Brazil’s Northeast, each piece highlights the many musical currents that shaped samba and bossa nova. Select works are newly arranged by some of Brazil’s most talented rising stars, bringing fresh perspectives to this extraordinary tradition.

Within/Earshot Jazz Festival 2025

Mark Lewis Quartet

Saturday, October 25, 2025, 7:00pm

Saxophonist and flutist Mark Lewis has enlivened jazz scenes from Seattle and San Francisco to Rotterdam and Paris, creating a vast and intensely stimulating body of work over four decades—including 1,800 compositions. Recent accolades include Cadence Magazine Top Ten Critics Poll for his album Naked Animals, as well as ranking #2 on alto sax and #3 on flute in the 39th Annual Jazz Station Awards for The New York Session, a collaboration with piano legend George Cables, bassist Essiet Essiet, and drummer Victor Lewis.

Concerts in Port Gamble:

Harry Manx

Saturday, October 25, 2025, 7:00pm

Harry Manx has spent years fusing eastern musical traditions with the blues, switching effortlessly between conventional guitars, harmonica, and banjo and the decidedly different Mohan veena, a 20-stringed instrument invented by Manx’ Indian mentor Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. Manx is often referred to as the “Mysticssippi” Blues Man, because of his expertise in melding both East and West music together and therefore, “creating musical short stories that wed the Blues with the depth of classical Indian ragas”.