In addition to presenting the oath of office for Brenda Fantroy-Johnson and recognizing the service of outgoing mayor Rasham Nassar, a jam-packed regular business meeting looks to:

More legislators from both sides of the aisle in both houses have joined the effort, pre-filing bills to prevent the WA CARES long-term care fund from going into effect on January 1, 2022.

In addition, Citizen Initiative I-1436 is looking to get 325,000 valid signatures by December 31 in favor of making the program optional rather than mandatory.

U.S. unemployment claims dropped by 43,000 to 184,000 last week, the lowest level since September 1969.

The unemployment rate in November dropped to a pandemic low of 4.2%, down from 4.6% in October.

The CEO podcast with Washington Hospitality Association President/CEO Anthony Anton recently discussed vaccine mandates, and implication of the Omicron variant on business across our state.

Click here for updated statistics and additional resources.

Last week's well-attended public session both confirmed broad support of the project and raised concerns around adequate parking for the potential new affordable housing subdivision.

A final decision on the project from Hearing Examiner Andrew Reeve is now likely by the end of the year.

At last week's Study Session, Council learned from the City Manager that over the past 15 years, COBI has been subsidizing the planning process by up to $1.4M per year.

Current rates have not been adjusted since 2006, and the City's target is to recover 100% of their operating costs while also greatly increasing the speed and efficiency of the process.

In the new year, Council will consider whether fee increases will be introduced all at once, or phased in over a 3-year period, and if discounts will be made in the fees associated with appeals, affordable housing, green infrastructure, tree removal, and reasonable use exceptions.

Last week's Ferry Town Hall meetings last week are now all available to watch on demand.

The meetings featured State Senator Christine Rolfes (LD 23) and State Representatives Tarra Simmons (LD 23), Drew Hansen (LD 23) and Emily Randall (LD 26) alongide Ferry officials.

The U.S. Small Business Administration recently announced lifting the cap from $500,000 to $2 million for the COVID-19 EIDL program.

The deadline for applications via the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan homepage is Dec. 31

The Small Business Flex Fund provides access to working capital to those that need it most – smaller, local business and nonprofits with fewer than 50 employees and annual revenue of less than $3 million.

The fund recently announced a new $40 Million funding round of low interest loans up to $150,000 for:

As part of their new seasonal campaign to bring visitors to the Island, Visit Bainbridge presents an extensive listing of holiday fun.

Remember to tag your events and posts with #bainbridgeholidays to have VBI amplify your efforts with reposts and spotlights...

As Island vendors make their preparations for the holidays, this is a reminder to submit up to 5 products per business for free.

The store is here to help showcase the best of Bainbridge businesses, makers and more.

In 2020, more than 5,000 General Store visitors clicked through to buy Bainbridge more than 1,500 times...

Facebook Live recording of the sold-out December 12 performance

Through December 17

100% of funds/winter wear collected donated to relief organizations in our community

Open online through December 15

Featuring the art of Jean-Claude Louis to raise funds for AHB

December 15-22

Fundraiser for pandemic-affected Philippines at Grace Church + Zoom

Wednesday, December 15, 6pm

Thursday, December 16, 3-5pm

Thursday-Sunday

December 9-12 & 16-19

Through Sunday January 9.

Bainbridge Ballet's The Nutcracker

December 17-20

Wed-Sun throughout the holidays

Through Friday December 31

Full run-down of community events

In the aftermath of Thanksgiving, COVID-19 cases in Kitsap County continued their up-and-down trend to jump back down to 86 cases per 100,000 residents.

Island numbers are also down by more than 50%, falling to 28 cases per 100k (moderate transmission).

Island vaccination rates now exceed 92% for those aged 12 and above, as well as 2/3 of all Island's 5-11-yr-olds (triple that of other parts of Kitsap).

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 664 total cases on Bainbridge, 4 new since last week.

No more clinics are expected on Bainbridge this year, but vaccines continue to be available at local pharmacies.

Until we know more about Omicron, businesses should take action to increase vaccination and protect workers. For now, the advice of public health experts is clear: vaccination and boosters provide the best protection, and there are 4 more steps businesses can take right now to protect employees and customers:

With the support of the City, County, and Bainbridge's own Breath Café, the Chamber still has fresh supplies of N95 masks, disposable masks, and hand sanitizer available for free to all public-facing Island business and nonprofit organizations.

We also have free posters available to help businesses make it clear to all customers that masks are required for entry at their location.

To grab yours, give us a call, stop by our offices, or simply email us - we are here to help...