BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS | |
L-R: Chris Wierzbicki (Director of Public Works for COBI), Erika Thayer (Owner of The Ravine), City Manager Blair King, Stefan Goldby (Chamber President), Alex Sanso (Owner of Island Life Artisan Gifts), & Aloysha d'Alaine (Manager of The Ravine) |
Chamber In Action: New Crosswalk Added To Winslow Way
On behalf of its members, the Chamber has been delighted to work with City Manager Blair King and City Staff over the past few months to create this additional way to cross the road in the middle of what was previously the longest stretch of Winslow without a crosswalk.
The project improves pedestrian access to the businesses at the Ravine and Island Gateway, flow on Winslow Way, and calms traffic coming off 305, creating more gaps for vehicles turning left from Ericksen Avenue onto Winslow Way.
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Potential Green Light Garage Bike Path Compromise Up For Vote At Council Tonight
After months of public and Chamber engagement, and extensive work by both city staff and council members, a new design alternative has emerged that offers a compromise to improve bike safety AND allow long-time auto repair shop Green Light Garage to continue to serve the island.
At tonight's City Council Meeting there will be a vote to choose between that compromise (Alternative 2 - using the roadway as a shared use lane with traffic calming on the northbound lane for 200 feet) and the original design (Alternative 1 - widen the road by claiming up to 9 feet of right of way from Green Light) at the head of Eagle Harbor.
The meeting also provides a chance for islanders to provide 3 minutes of public comment on the project ahead of the Council's discussion and vote, and to learn more of the revised plans, funding opportunities, and potential to later expand the street further on the opposite side to Green Light Garage.
Also on Tonight's Agenda:
- Review of goals and policies for building hotels in Winslow
- Approve clearing land at former police station to build workforce housing
- Consider potential for City to buy local housing for employees
- Support BI Land Trust obtaining 24 acres south of Manzanita Park and 6 acres adjacent to the Gazzam Nature Complex
- Consider limiting remote public comment after recent hate speech incidents
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Bainbridge School Measure Vote on Feb 13 Ballots
The school board for Bainbridge Island recently approved measures to seek voter support in the form of replacement enrichment programs and operations (EP&O) levies at a Special Election in February.
Such levies support additional staffing above what the state funds, including school nurses and counselors, librarians, paraeducators, special education and support staff, and also supports athletics and extracurricular activities.
Bainbridge's current three-year EP&O levy is set to expire at the end of 2024. The new four-year levy, if passed, would seek to collect $11.9 million in 2025, $12.25 million in 2026, $12.6 million in 2027 and $12.95 million in 2028. The proposed tax rates for each year would be $0.85 per $1,000 of assessed value.
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Ferry Operators Receive $200M in Federal Grants to Modernize Fleets
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) was recently awarded $4.8 million by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to help refurbish aging passenger spaces on our state ferries.
WSDOT plans to use the funding to improve passenger spaces on multiple ferries built between 1979 and 1982 - including the M/V Cathlamet, Chelan, Issaquah, Kitsap, Kittitas, and Sealth.
WSDOT estimates the project will extend the useful life of the vessels for another five to 10 years
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Calico Cat storefront on Winslow Way decorated for the Holidays | |
AWB: Shopping Small is a Big Way to Help your Home Town
One of the best ways to help your community this holiday season is to shop local and small, AWB President Kris Johnson writes in his latest column.
Small businesses need support year round and especially during the holiday season when they generate 65% of their annual income.
"For every dollar spent at a small business, an average of 67 cents stays in the local community," Johnson notes. "The small business owners pay taxes that support the local community and schools. They give to nonprofits and sponsor youth sports leagues."
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The Review Wants Your Help To Celebrate Landmark 100th Anniversary
The Bainbridge Island Review is beginning to celebrate its 100th anniversary, and would like you and the whole island to be a part of the fun!
- If you have saved any old newspaper clippings for whatever reason they'd love a photo of it with a description of why you kept it.
- If you ever worked for the newspaper or were ever featured in the newspaper, they would like you to share your thoughts on what that experience was
Both will be featured in an upcoming special section included both in the weekly Review and monthly 98110 publications.
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Helpline House Giving Tree
Might you be able to be an island neighbor helping a neighbor this holiday season?
Grab a tag off the Helpline House Holiday trees at the Chamber office (395 Winslow Way E) or at BIMA (550 Winslow Way E), purchase the item requested on it, & drop it back off unwrapped before Dec 14 or simply bring it to the Holiday After Hours on Thursday night.
Helpline House is also accepting non-perishable food, $25 gift cards & gifts for children.
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The Chamber's Holiday After Hours Party is 100-Strong!
Thur Dec 14, 6-8pm
The Chamber's expanded 100 guest list spots at this week's Holiday After Hours Party are now all full, but our generous hosts have agreed to squeeze in a few more Chamber members currently sitting on our event waitlist...
This special event is hosted by BPA at the new Buxton Center on Dec 14 from 6pm to 9pm - as well as offering the chance for a pre-party drink at the OfficeXpats Holiday Open House at 5:30pm.
Wine is generously provided by our event
partners and party sponsors at Eleven Winery, and rumors of a dance floor are even swirling around for the end of the night....
After Hours tickets are always free for Chamber members and invited guests, with a very limited number available to non-members for $20 each.
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The Treehouse - Vacation Rental on Bainbridge
The TreeHouse is unique, cozy, angled & contemporary vacation rental on Bainbridge within 10 min to Winslow & close to the ferry.
Every inch of space is utilized so it embraces you in a cozy, calming way which is ideal for quiet individuals or couples.
This is a modern treehouse with angles and the ceiling height echoing the surrounding trees.
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Christmas Meals for Pick-Up on Saturday December 23
Pre-Order for pick-up for your Christmas Meal or any part of your Christmas Holiday from starters, salads, entrees, accompaniments, baked goods, & desserts.
Don't be a Grinch this holiday season and let the Chefs at the Manor House take care of the day's feast!
The Grinch: "And they'll feast, feast, feast, feast. They'll eat their Who-Pudding and rare Who-Roast Beast. But that's something I just cannot stand in the least."
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Dec Special: Island Fitness 'Best Deal of the Year'
One month membership for $75 (plus tax) available for purchase anytime between Dec 1-31, 2023 at Island Fitness.
Expires 30 day from purchase and one purchase per person.
Choose to join Island Fitness before your month expires and they’ll credit $75 towards your first month of membership in January!
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Accelerate your Leadership Impact
The role of leader can be lonely. Who do you seek out when you need support engaging a complex challenge? Who are your thinking partners? Who understands deeply the challenges of your role?
Leadership Kitsap, in partnership with Sandbox Leadership, is excited to offer Community Leader Peer Coaching Groups, a cohort-based program for the professional and personal development of leadership in small business, government and nonprofits across our region.
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Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grants 2023-25
The Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grants program is designed to increase the number of manufacturing and research and development jobs in Washington state.
The $2 million in grants will be awarded to eligible manufacturing and research and development businesses as well as organizations defined as innovation clusters in the funding application.
Each grantee will be eligible for a grant between $200,000 and $400,000.
Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the availability of capital investment or matching funds to support a significant business expansion or proposed cutting-edge development work.
DEADLINE: Applications must be submitted by Dec. 21, 2023
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It's the most wonderful time of the year - a season jam-packed with so very many things to do on Bainbridge to celebrate the season... so many that we present them here in abbreviated form - please click 'em all to learn more about 2023's Island Holiday Magic... | |
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Business Info Brochure Racks:
Let everyone know about your business with 4x9" rack cards at both the Ferry Info Kiosk & Winslow Way Info Desk
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The Via Rosa 11 Conference Room:
Seating for 10 people, 50” video screen + internet, giant whiteboard wall: Available to book for 60 or 120-minute sessions
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The PSE Spotlight Pop-Up Window:
Prime position Winslow Way 6ft x 6ft area comes with 43" monitor + stand, power, lights & internet: Available for 2 week slots.
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Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce
Advocacy, Connection, and Community since 1927
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contact the chamber today - we are here to help | | | | |
