Wednesday, August 30, 2023 |
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Carlisle Pop-Up Ferry Bridges Silverdale to Bremerton Blackberry Festival
Free event to run through Labor Day Weekend
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Join the Chamber for this unique opportunity to travel from Silverdale to Bremerton via the Carlisle II, the last of Kitsap County's mosquito fleet ferries. We will be hosting free ferry rides between the Port of Silverdale and the Port of Bremerton over Labor Day Weekend for those wanting an alternative route to the Bremerton Blackberry Festival, or those who just want to see a new view from the water. You won't want to miss this event! |
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Bremerton Blackberry Festival
September 2-4, 2023
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Ribbon Cutting: Daisy Mae Consignment
Thursday, August 31, 2023, 4:00 pm
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Chamber Seeking Volunteers
Blackberry Festival Info Booth
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Save-the-Date: Heroes Golf Tournament
Friday, September 29, 2023
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It's time to start rounding up your golf foursomes - the Heroes Golf Tournament returns on September 29th! Enjoy a day on the links at Gold Mountain Golf Club, try your luck at winning our "Wheelbarrow of Booze," connect with the Greater Kitsap Business community and more! |
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RECAP: August Luncheon and
Member Showcase
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As part of this month's luncheon, we were excited to include a Member Showcase where local member businesses were able to host a display table during our networking time prior to lunch. We also enjoyed a presentation from Jenn Evenson and Stephanie Kirk who shared our newest member benefit courtesy of the Washington Business Health Trust. To learn more about health insurance options now available to even the smallest of businesses, please visit www.businesshealthtrust.com or contact Stephanie Kirk here.
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Renew your membership today to ensure your place as a Charter Member of the Greater Kitsap Chamber! Questions about when to renew or how to upgrade your membership? Contact Irene now!
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Missed a previous edition of the Chamber's Community Connections?
View all the past issues on our website HERE.
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New Members - Welcome to the Chamber! |
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Puget Sound Energy
Offering Big Rebates to Upgrade Heating & A/C
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You can considerably lower your business's monthly bills by improving your HVAC system's energy efficiency. Apply for PSE's commercial HVAC incentives to save on energy-efficient HVAC equipment and waste-reducing service, and put your savings where they belong—back into your business. For eligible PSE commercial electric customers, PSE offers up to $200 rebate when you purchase a qualifying commercial smart thermostat for your business.
Today's ductless heat pumps can reduce the amount of electricity you use to heat your business by approximately 50% compared to electric resistance heaters, resulting in significantly lower operating costs. In addition to heating, ductless heat pumps also provide air conditioning, and they dehumidify better than standard central air conditioners, which lowers energy usage and boosts comfort during the summer. Receive a rebate of $1,000 per ton of cooling capacity when you replace your current electric resistance heating with a qualified AHRI Certified® ductless heat pump.
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Growing Greater Businesses Grant Spotlight:
Adsorbit
Empowering communities and cleaning up the world
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In a world grappling with environmental challenges, entrepreneur Cecilli Pearse is leading the way with Adsorbit, a company that produces reusable products to clean up oil spills. With a passion for sustainability and a commitment to making a positive impact, Cecilli's story is an inspiration for emerging entrepreneurs and business owners. This blog post explores Cecilli's journey, from taking over the family business to rebranding Adsorbit and becoming a force in the industry. Read more here.
Discover the groundbreaking products, community engagement, and invaluable wisdom that make Cecilli Pearse and Adsorbit shining examples of how individuals can create meaningful change in the world. Learn more about their work here: https://www.adsorbit.com/.
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Member Education & Training Resources |
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Business Structure & Operations
Wednesday, August 30, 2023, 6:00 pm
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Boards in Gear Webinar
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
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You joined a nonprofit board because you care about the organization’s mission. You want your contributions as a board member to positively affect the issues addressed by the organization. As a board, you want your nonprofit to thrive and make a difference in the communities served by your organization. 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. This interactive, virtual workshop is based on the Boards in Gear resources developed in partnership with some of our state’s leading board experts. You will leave with concrete action steps, tools, and connections.
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Coming Soon: WA Biz Fair 2023
Saturday, September 23, 2023, 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
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Biz Fair is a free, annual event for current and aspiring small business owners to learn about the programs, resources, and technical assistance available to help start and grow a small business. Biz Fair is the longest running all government and non-profit-run small business fair in Washington State.
- Saturday, September 23, 2023
- Location: Pierce College Puyallup campus (8:30 AM - 1:00 PM)
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Save-the-Date: BIPOC Business Forum
October 25, 2023, 5:00 - 8:00 pm
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Business News & Resources |
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Declining Rates of Credentialing & Post-Secondary Education Impacting WA Workforce |
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New report calls for ‘bold action’ after pandemic cut rates of credentialing and post-secondary education
Slow increase: 33% of students in Washington’s high school class of 2006 went on to earn a credential by age 26. The estimated credential attainment rate rose 10 percentage points over the next 13 years (an average of 0.8 percentage points per year), with a 43% estimated credential attainment rate for the high school class of 2019.
Loss during Covid: Nearly a third of the progress made since the class of 2006 was wiped out during the pandemic. The estimated credential attainment rate for the high school class of 2021 is 40% — three percentage points lower than the class of 2019 and 30 points below the goal of 70% that would meet our state’s employer needs.
“Washington was experiencing a postsecondary enrollment and completion crisis before the pandemic, and that crisis is only more acute in the face of declining postsecondary enrollment juxtaposed with rapid economic innovation and intense demand for credentialed workers,” the report concludes. “The needs of our students and our state demand that we come together—across institutions, communities, employers, education stakeholders, students, and families—to catalyze dramatic and demonstrable gains at each stage of the high school-to-credential pathway.”
Why it matters: Workforce has emerged in AWB’s employer surveys as the No. 1 issue for our members. This kind of backsliding matters – and needs to be address – because it's a part of the larger workforce issue.
“It’s time for schools to get real about that message, and for Washington’s education system to promote structural answers that can guide more kids into post-high school training,” The Seattle Times editorialized about the report and the responses needed to it. “In many ways, this is a golden moment for young people. Never in Washington’s history has there been so much state-funded financial aid available. That makes it a great time for students to take advantage and vault themselves onto an upward trajectory.”
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Wildfire Resources for Businesses |
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Several wildfires in Eastern Washington are impacting air quality across the state. Learn what actions you need to take during these conditions with WHA's Wildfire, Extreme Heat & Snow Toolkit.
Additionally, Attorney General Bob Ferguson issued a warning this week to area businesses that his office is watching out for price increases on essential goods and services as a result of the wildfires. Businesses could be fined under the Consumer Protection Act for exploiting a natural disaster for profit.
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Retail Sales Exceed Forecasts, but
Consumer Spending Shows Slowing
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U.S. retail sales in July showcased the resilience of American consumers, surpassing expectations with a 0.7% increase. This rise in sales, as reported by the Commerce Department, was buoyed by gains across various sectors, including sporting goods, clothing outlets, and restaurants. A robust labor market and escalating wages have empowered American households to bolster the economy, even amidst rising interest rates. However, this strength might prompt the Federal Reserve to adopt a more aggressive stance if inflationary pressures persist.
On the other hand, there has been a gradual deceleration in consumer spending growth. While the economy demonstrated unexpected resilience in the first half of the year, the pace of consumer spending is now slowing.
In a recent post, Jack Kleinhenz, Chief Economist at the National Retail Federation (NRF), noted that consumers, although still spending, are feeling the financial pinch. They are adjusting their purchasing habits, transitioning from goods to services. The savings accumulated during the pandemic, which previously fueled spending, are depleting.
The growth of consumer spending, which constitutes about 70% of GDP, has dwindled from 4.2% in the first quarter to 1.6% in the second. While retail sales, excluding certain sectors, grew by 3.1% year-over-year in the second quarter, this was below the 4% growth observed in the first half of the year.
In response to inflation, the Federal Reserve recently raised interest rates, which now stand between 5.25% and 5.5%, the highest since January 2021. This move, while aimed at controlling inflation, also raises concerns about a potential economic slowdown.
While U.S. retail sales have outpaced forecasts, indicating a resilient consumer base, there are clear signs that the growth in consumer spending is tapering off. The interplay of economic factors, including interest rates, inflation, and the labor market, will shape the trajectory of consumer spending in the coming months.
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Quick and interesting reads for employers, employees,
local leaders, and everyone in between!
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Nonprofit News & Resources |
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to be one of only five Chambers statewide selected to partner with the Nonprofit Association of Washington (NAWA) to bring education and resources to nonprofits in Western Washington. Stay tuned to this section of our weekly newsletter for education, resources and more for our nonprofit community.
To learn more about NAWA, please visit their website here.
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How to Use ChatGPT in Fundraising |
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As you come to grips with AI tools, it is essential to recognize their limitations. ChatGPT may fail to fully understand the context of a query, and all output requires human review and interpretation. We encourage you to thoroughly research any AI technologies you adopt and ensure that you are aware of the risks and concerns involved.
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NAWA Resources
Learning opportunities & toolkits for nonprofits
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Starting a Nonprofit
Starting a Nonprofit invites you and your group to think about the difference you seek to make and the ideal structure to move forward. The guide leads you through key decision-making points to assess whether a nonprofit is the best way to accomplish your goals.
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Dissolving a Nonprofit
Dissolving a Nonprofit takes you through the decision-making and actions involved in closing down a nonprofit organization. The guide provides guidance on the key compliance steps as well as information on how to manage communication and community outreach in a way that honors your nonprofit’s legacy.
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County Commissioners Appoint Representative Drew Hansen as 23rd District Senator |
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The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners appointed State Representative Drew Hansen Aug. 23 to fill the vacancy of State Senator representing the 23rd Legislative District. Representative Hansen replaces Christine Rolfes who resigned from the position with her appointment as Kitsap County Commissioner June 5.
Rep. Hansen has represented the 23rd District since 2011. He said he is deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the community in the Senate. The date of his swearing in will be announced at a later date.
Kitsap County Commissioners conducted interviews with three top candidates nominated by Kitsap County Democrats to fill the vacated Senate seat. In addition to Rep. Hansen, those included Brynn Felix and Chris Cancialosi.
The Democratic Party sent us really superb, qualified candidates and we had meaningful conversations with each of them,” said Commissioner Charlotte Garrido, chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “Drew has a proven track record of improving the life of citizens and will continue the great work of former Senator Rolfes, working across the aisle for Kitsap County.”
With Rep. Hansen’s appointment to the Senate, Kitsap Democrats will begin the process to fill the seat he vacates in the House of Representatives and forward three candidates to County Commissioners, who will conduct interviews and make an appointment to fill the position. The timeframe is yet to be determined.
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Comprehensive Plan Virtual Workshops
August 30th & September 14th
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Kitsap County staff has been working diligently over the past few months to assess potential updates to the 2024 Comprehensive Plan goals, polices, and strategies. This has included determining any gaps in the current Plan created by recent changes to Puget Sound Regional Council’s VISION 2050 and Countywide Planning Policies, and the significant shifts in housing requirements under the Growth Management Act.
With draft documents expected to be released this Fall, Kitsap County is holding two virtual workshops to act as a refresher on the Plan’s update process and challenges, and to discuss key additions or revisions being proposed to close any gaps identified. Each meeting will focus on various elements within the Plan, including Housing, Economic Development, Land Use, Environment, Climate Change, and Transportation.
Meetings will be held virtually via Zoom at 6 p.m. on the following dates:
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Wednesday, August 30th – Housing / Economic Development / Land Use
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Thursday, September 14th – Environment / Climate Change / Transportation
Please visit the project website at kcowa.us/compplan (links on right hand side of project page) for more information about how to join these meetings.
Each meeting will include a presentation, after which attendees may choose to participate in interactive “break-out” groups to share thoughts and partake in a discussion related to the meeting topics. Participation may be verbal through facilitated discussion or written using the chat function available in Zoom.
To learn more about the update you can visit our project website at kcowa.us/compplan, where you will find information about upcoming public meetings, story maps describing different comprehensive plan elements, draft documents and other related materials.
Any specific questions may be sent to compplan@kitsap.gov, or you can call Kitsap1 at (360) 337-5777 and ask for Planning and Environmental Programs.
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Effective Monday, Sept. 4
On Labor Day, Sept. 4, Routed buses will operate Holiday Schedules or may not operate. Please see your route schedule for availability and times of service or use our route lookup tool online at: kitsaptransit.com/holiday-schedule.
- Route 184–Harper Shuttle will operate its regular weekday schedule.
- Kitsap Fast Ferries and the Port Orchard Ferry will operate normal weekday service.
- The Annapolis Ferry will NOT operate.
- BI Ride will operate from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Trips after 4:00 PM must be booked through the app.
- Kingston Ride Fast Ferry Commuter and Southworth Ride Fast Ferry Commuter will operate regular weekday service.
- Kingston Ride, SK Ride, Nollwood Dial-A-Ride and Purdy Ride will NOT operate.
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ACCESS service will operate holiday service hours. Any recurring or subscription trips on Labor Day will be canceled. Call ACCESS at 1.800.422.2877 to rebook your ride.
- There will be no Worker/Driver service. Some Vanpools may not operate; call your Vanpool driver for information.
Kitsap Transit's Customer Service Office and call center will be open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Administrative Office and ORCA call center will be closed. Call 1.800.501.7433 with any questions before the holiday.
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Bainbridge Ferry Terminal Closure Update
September 7-13 Vehicle Closure on Seattle/Bainbridge Route
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Since April, we've shared news of the September closure of vehicle service on our Seattle/Bainbridge route to allow crews to set the bridge spans in place for the new pedestrian walkway. Over six days, cranes will lower four large bridge spans, totaling 338 feet in length, onto their footings (shown in the above photo). This work will take over the entire holding area from the water to the toll booths. As a result, there will be no service for vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters from 1 a.m. Sept. 7 until 3 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13. We will resume vehicle service earlier if work wraps up sooner.
We will accommodate emergency medical vehicles, in coordination with local emergency services. As mentioned above, ferry service will operate on a one-boat sailing schedule. We will use the existing walkway to load only walk-on and ADA passengers. Staff will be on hand to assist with the additional passenger foot traffic.
As crewing and vessel availability allows, we will provide partial daily additional service on our Edmonds/Kingston route during the September closure to vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles on our Seattle/Bainbridge run.
Because we’re operating our Seattle/Bainbridge route on a one-boat sailing schedule during that time, the second boat is available to provide unscheduled service as a third boat on our Edmonds/Kingston run. It will operate around the current two-boat schedule there to handle additional vehicle traffic traveling to or from Bainbridge Island and the Kitsap Peninsula.
For answers to questions about this closure, we have posted FAQs along with a construction graphic on the project website.
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Port of Bremerton Summer Newsletter |
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It's been a busy Summer, but this quarter we wanted to give a snapshot of the most unique happenings at the Port of Bremerton facilities. You will find these stories, along with a foreword from Commissioner Cary Bozeman, in the pdf here.
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Bikes for All
September 9, 2023, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
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Old Town Fall Market
Friday, September 22, 2023, 4:00 - 8:00 pm
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Cars on Callow
Saturday, September 23, 2023, 12:00 - 4:00 pm
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Masks & COVID Testing Kits Available
Free at the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber still has some supplies available if your local business is in need of KN95 masks or COVID testing kits. Pick up your supply at both GKC locations today. Available while supplies last.
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Silverdale @ Sunset Presents:
Victims of Love "Eagles Tribute Band"
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
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Admiral Theatre Presents: Chris Janson
Friday, September 15, 2023, 8:00 pm
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Chris Janson, proud member of the Grand Ole Opry and multi-platinum songwriter and artist, is part of country’s new breed. In touch with the lighter side of life with self-penned No. 1s “Fix A Drink,” “Good Vibes,” and the triple platinum “Buy Me A Boat,” as well as the more thoughtful truths of “Done,” “Things You Can’t Live Without,” and the CMA Song of the Year nominee and ACM Video of the Year “Drunk Girl.” Both “Boat” and “Girl” were named to the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s prestigious “Songs I Wish I Wish I’d Written” list, which is why artists like Tim McGraw (“Truck Yeah,” “How I’ll Always Be”), Justin Moore (“Off The Beaten Path”), Cody Johnson (“Let’s Build A Fire”), and the iconic Hank Williams Jr. (“God Fearin’ Man,” “Those Days Are Gone”) reach for Janson’s songs for their own projects.
Beyond his artistry are his live shows, where all that heart-on-the-four-wheeler songwriting meets the fans where they come to rock. Rolling Stone proclaimed him “a live legacy in the making,” and Janson is a frequent presence at the nation’s biggest country festivals, tours, and unexpected sit-ins. For a man known for his outdoors lifestyle and collaborations with Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, making music from his own life has established the harmonica-forward multi-instrumentalist the go-to guy for young country for the last decade.
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Poulsbrew Beer Fest
Saturday, September 16, 2023, 12:00 - 6:00 pm
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Stay in the know with what's happening for events
in Central Kitsap by checking out and liking the
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Have something to share? CLICK HERE to submit stories and
events for our weekly Community Connections!
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David Emmons
President/CEO
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Irene Moyer
VP, Membership & Strategic Communications
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Tiffany Diamond
Events Coordinator
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Bremerton Office (360) 479-3579 | 4th & Pacific Downtown Bremerton
Silverdale Office (360) 692-6800 | Kitsap Mall next to Macy's
PO Box 1218 Silverdale WA 98383
If you need assistance, please contact us directly.
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