Wednesday, June 19, 2024

As Building Grows in Kitsap, County

Aims for More City Density

Published in the Kitsap Sun, June 17, 2024

Photo: Levin Rd and Mountain View in Poulsbo; MEEGAN M. REID/KITSAP SUN

Neighbors on Levin Road could only watch last week, as giant cedar trees skirting the area around rural homes not far from the Bangor gate were logged and shorn of their limbs. 

The forest has provided a “magical little canopy” where people would walk and ride their bicycles, said John Bial, who’s lived in the area for 30 years. Bial says he would have bought the 28 acres of land himself and kept it in perpetuity, had he known it was up for sale or that the trees would be cut down ahead of possible development. 

County commissioners are working to strike a balance between the two interests as they steer the county’s growth plan in a new direction. That's been part of the ongoing Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan negotiations, which commissioners have issued a preferred alternative for the 2024 update. And it may in fact preserve some of the forest land that in the past has been cleared for development. Commissioner Christine Rolfes says the preferred alternative is intended to channel new growth upwards instead of outwards, instead of following planning philosophies from 10 and 30 years back, which paved the way for the type of projects that are being protested for extending beyond urban centers into undeveloped pastures and forests.

Read the full article here

RECAP: Ribbon Cutting @ NW 4x4 Outfitters

The Chamber was thrilled to join owners, Kathy and William Young, for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of NW 4x4 Outfitters in Silverdale last week. Congratulations to the team at 4x4 and best wishes for your continued success here in Kitsap!

Save-the-Date: July 24th is Education Carnival

Reserve your carnival booth today

Contact Tiffany at the Chamber to learn more and to reserve your booth today!

U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc. - Bremerton Base

DBA Presents: Femmes & Thems

Thursday, June 20, 2024, 4:30 - 8:00 pm

SCORE: Beyond Fans and Likes

Thursday, June 20, 2024, 12:00 pm

Modern marketing has created opportunities for businesses to serve more people, with less cost than traditional marketing channels, paving the way for a new level of profitability.

Your online presence needs visibility, credibility, and the currency of trust, so your ideal clients take notice and take action to work with you.  

With more than 15 years of experience, social media maven and strong business acumen, Margaret Hernandez has flexed her own influence and grown her company from a solopreneur venture to a business with 10 employees and hubs in Los Angeles, New York City and most recently a Pop-Up in the UK.

In this entertaining and dynamic presentation, Margaret will show you how you can easily and comfortably own your stage and attract your ideal clients through simple marketing strategies.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Go “viral," and define what that means for a small business
• Avoid the overwhelm and mistakes that are costing you credibility and clients
• Keep up to speed in the ever-changing marketing landscape
• Create a brand that is loved, respected, and easily monetized

Workshop Fee: FREE

Principles of Lean Manufacturing

Thursday, June 27, 2024, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Servsafe Manager Training Class

Monday, July 8, 2024, 8:30 am @ The Point Casino

A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) must be certified through an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited program. ServSafe Manager is an ANSI-certified program with a proctored exam. It is listed by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) for accredited Certified Food Protection Manager programs (ID 0655).

ServSafe Manager is an advanced food safety certification developed by the National Restaurant Association for foodservice and hospitality personnel. The ServSafe brand offers the highest standard of training to your staff and was named one of America’s Top Online Learning Providers of 2024. It also keeps customers safe with advanced food safety knowledge and complies with the Demonstration of Knowledge (DOK), Person In Charge (PIC) and Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) requirements within the Washington State Food Code.

Why an in-person class?

Participating in the material review increases student pass rates and provides an opportunity for questions.

Trainers are industry veterans and help students bridge the connection between knowledge and application.

Students come away with the skills to implement active managerial controls into their workplace.

Consumers Continue Spending

Amid Slower Growth

Courtesy of Washington Retail Association

Despite slower job and wage gains and high interest rates, American shoppers remain willing to spend, according to National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz. Kleinhenz highlighted that while economic growth has decelerated, consumer spending continues to drive momentum. The U.S. GDP is projected to grow around 2.3% in 2023, supported by an unexpected rise in employment and moderated inflation.

Kleinhenz noted that stronger-than-anticipated immigration has boosted the labor supply, particularly in low-wage sectors, mitigating wage-driven inflation and sustaining consumer spending. The Congressional Budget Office reported net immigration of 3.3 million last year, significantly higher than previous estimates. This influx has alleviated labor shortages and enhanced production capacity without spurring excessive inflation.

Inflation trends, particularly in services, have been a concern but are expected to stabilize. The PCE Price Index indicated a 2.7% inflation rate in March, primarily driven by service-sector costs. Goods prices, however, remained unchanged from the previous year. While initial projections suggested the Federal Reserve might lower interest rates by July, persistent inflation may delay cuts until later in the year.

Despite challenges, core retail sales, excluding automobiles, gas, and restaurants, rose 3.8% year-over-year for the first four months, aligning with NRF’s forecast of 2.5%-3.5% growth in 2024. Kleinhenz emphasized the resilience of consumer spending as a critical driver of the economy, even amid slower growth.

NRF’s Monthly Economic Review

Courtesy of the Puget Sound Business Journal

Progressive’s $1 million Driving Small Business Forward grant program

Insurance giant Progressive is awarding 20 small businesses with $50,000 grants to buy a new vehicle and an invitation to a 12-week virtual Boost Camp business-coaching program as part of its new grant program.

To be eligible, businesses must have 10 or fewer employees and less than $5 million in annual gross revenue and have a demonstrated need for a qualifying commercial vehicle. That purpose, however, cannot be for a ride-share business as a driver, or for a third-party delivery service. Progressive is working with fintech Hello Alice to administer the grant program.

Applications close June 14 at 6 p.m. ET.

QuickBooks offering $10,000 grants

Small-business owners in the United States can apply for one of 20, $10,000 grants being awarded by QuickBooks and parent company Intuit. Winners also get access to three months of mentorship resources, including a series of webinars.

Businesses will be asked to submit a brief essay describing how the grant will help them overcome business challenges or achieve a business dream. 

Applications will be accepted until June 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Creative Business Boost Initiative offers $5,000 grants

The Creative Business Boost Initiative, presented by Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network, with support from Etsy’s Uplift Fund!, will pick 100 creative entrepreneurs to get $5,000 grants and access to a coaching program. 

The program is open to “creative entrepreneurs,” but that does not mean owners have to be Etsy sellers or on the platform at all. They must, however, have a business in operation for at least a year and have an existing product or service on the market.

Applications close June 21 at 6 p.m. ET. 

Grubhub and National LGBT Chamber of Commerce team up

The Grubhub Community Fund and the NGLCC Community Impact Grant Program are providing grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to LGBT-owned bars, restaurants and other food-related small businesses across the country.

The program debuted earlier this year, with applications opening up by region. East Coast applications have already closed, as of May 21. Central Region applications close June 4, and West Region applications close June 25.

eBay launches fifth-annual Up & Running Grants program

E-commerce giant eBay will be awarding 50 sellers on its platform $10,000 each as part of a bid to fuel the growth of their respective businesses. The money can go toward physical and digital store improvements, equipment, inventory, hiring, training, marketing and other expenses. The company also is offering recipients a stipend worth $500 each that sellers can use for office technology from the eBay Refurbished online store.

The application window closes June 7.

LegalZoom offers $3 million small-business grant program with NBA, WNBA

LegalZoom’s Fast Break for Small Business grant program, in partnership with the NBA and WNBA, will be awarding $1.5 million in grants to 150 small-business owners and $1.5 million in products and services to 3,000 entrepreneurs looking to start their own business.

Small businesses that have been in operation for at least three months are eligible to apply for the individual $10,000 grants or up to $500 in LegalZoom products and services. Winners will be announced on social media. Action Opportunity Fund will administer the small-business grant awards.

The window to apply closes September 13.

Jobber offers grants for home-services businesses

Jobber, which provides operations-management software for home-services businesses, has launched a grant program in which 15 businesses could get $10,000 each. Business owners can apply for and use the grant however they want, whether it's purchasing new equipment, marketing or training their team.

Applications are being accepted until June 12.

Verizon Wireless Small Business Grants

Verizon Wireless has partnered with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to provide $10,000 small business grants. Verizon has launched a new round of grant funding for small businesses that can be accessed by completing two grant-eligible courses and applying before June 28th.

Courses are completely free, involve minimal time investment, and provide helpful business information on a variety of topics.

Learn more, take courses, and apply now!

Additional opportunities for small businesses

Entrepreneurs and business owners looking for assistance have other resources available to them as well. We've compiled a rundown of some of the other grant opportunities and types of training and technical assistance available to companies throughout 2024.

Courtesy of FastCompany.com

• The hyper-connected consumer: staying in touch with your customers
• What to do when you're struggling with burnout as a leader
• How to improve your judgement at work

Courtesy of entrepreneur.com

• How keeping things simple helps your company innovate and grow
• Thinking of laying off staff? Here's why job cuts might bad for your business

Business Essentials

An overview of some essential requirements and resources for business owners

Still have questions? Want to learn more? Join us for our Business Essentials webinar on Thursday, June 27th at 12:30 pm. Presented by experts from the Small Business office of the Department of Labor and Industries, you'll have the opportunity to have your most pressing questions answered. We'll see you there!

Busting 4 Myths About Millenial Fundraising

Published on NonprofitPro.com, May 21, 2024

Photo: Getty Images by We Are

It’s not news that millennials and Gen Z present a more complicated picture regarding philanthropy than the preceding generations. While they are impact-driven, hands-on and focused on social justice, they are less trusting of institutions and less inclined to give large gifts.

Fundraisers have been vexed by how to approach this demographic for the past decade or more, so here are some prevalent myths I’ve encountered in my work with nonprofits. Discover how you can move beyond the myth to achieve success and gain valuable insight into generational perspectives and competencies.

Read the full article here

The hammerhead crane at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard looms in the background as the Washington State Ferry Walla Walla pulls into the Bremerton ferry dock on Monday, June 6, 2022. The iconic piece of machinery will be dismantled and removed as part of a project to build a new dry dock along the shore of Sinclair Inlet. MEEGAN M. REID/KITSAP SUN

Navy Specifies Lease Needs Near Bremerton for Coming Shipyard Improvements

Published in the Kitsap Sun, June 12, 2024

The Navy is seeking to lease warehouse space, a laydown yard, and office space near the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard to "recapitalize facilities and dry dock capacity" as part of its once-in-a-century investment in upgrading the aging shipyard to meet the fleet's needs.

Last October, the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), Northwest released a Request for Interest (RFI) to seek information on properties that may be suitable to support military operations regarding its Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) at PSNS & IMF, and received over 80 responses from the public. Six months later, the Navy specified their needs and requested leases with certain requirements.

According to a Solicitation For Offers (SFO) issued in May, the Navy wants to rent a 60,000-square-foot warehouse space, a 12,828-square-foot warehouse space, and a 213,966-square-foot warehouse space with 206,910 for outdoor fenced laydown yard and 7,056 for building. Another SFO indicates that the Navy needs a minimum of about 10,200-square-foot administrative office or training space.

Read more here

Kitsap County Joins Regional "Ready, Set, Go!" Evacuation Messaging Campaign

The threat of wildfire has increased across the nation, including in Western Washington. One important step in facing that threat is preparing to communicate quickly with residents and businesses if evacuation from a wildfire or another hazard is necessary. As wildfire season begins here in Washington, Kitsap County is joining forces with six other counties to highlight the regional “Ready, Set, Go!” evacuation campaign. The campaign outlines the three evacuation levels and provides straightforward messages that describe actions to take at each level when alerted by authorities.

The "Ready, Set, Go!" evacuation campaign informs the public on how to respond to the three levels of evacuations (traditionally Levels 1, 2, and 3), and prepares them on actions they should take at each level when alerted by authorities. This messaging is intended not only wildfires but for any hazard which triggers the need for evacuation.

See the full release here

Navy League, City Planning New Callow Ave Park to Host USS Bremerton Sail

Published in the Kitsap Sun, June 14, 2024

Insert provided by Jerry Logan

Years after discussions were initiated at the local Navy League about keeping the sail of submarine USS Bremerton (SSN 698) in its namesake city as a monument, the league has made a request to the Navy and completed a preliminary design of a monument that could recognize the vessel and its history in a new city park.

On May 1, the president of the Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council of the Navy League Tom Zwolfer and Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler jointly signed a letter to the Navy, making a preliminary request that the Navy retain the components of the Los Angeles-class submarine, including its sail, sail planes, anchor, rudders and stern planes, to create a monument. Jerry Logan, retired Navy Captain, the 10th Commanding Officer of USS Bremerton and chairman of The USS Bremerton Sail Memorial Committee, said the group's request to use some of those pieces of history as a monument will now move to the next step.

"Once we get our design finalized, we will submit the official request to the Navy for those components that we have in mind here," Logan said.

Read the full story here

Juneteenth Holiday Service 

Effective Wednesday, June 19

• On June 19, most Routed, On-Demand/Dial-A-Ride, ACCESS, Port Orchard Foot Ferry, and Fast Ferries will operate normal weekday service for Juneteenth.
• Routes 81–Annapolis Commuter and 219–Crossroads will NOT operate.
• Annapolis Foot Ferry will NOT operate.
• Worker/Driver buses will NOT operate. 
• Some vanpools may not operate; call your van driver for information.
• Kitsap Transit's Customer Service phone lines and Customer Service Office will be open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The Administrative Office will be open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The ORCA call center will be closed.ACCESS will take next-day trip reservations from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. 

Kingston Rotary Hosts Fundraiser

Friday, June 21, 2024

Make Music Day Line-Up

Saturday, June 22, 2024, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Join the Music Discovery Center at Evergreen Rotary Park on June 22nd for an unforgettable Make Music Day event!

With 18 live performances, our lineup promises a non-stop musical experience featuring a variety of genres and styles that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

Beyond the live entertainment, enjoy a feast of delicious offerings from local food vendors and explore engaging community booths. For those eager to get hands-on, our TOUCH AND TRY instrument area invites you to experiment with different instruments and discover new sounds.

Make Music Day is all about participation. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or simply love to tap your feet to the beat, this event welcomes everyone. Showcase your talents, join a jam session, or just soak in the vibrant, inclusive atmosphere.

Come and create beautiful music and lasting memories with us as we celebrate Worldwide Make Music Day. Mark your calendars, spread the word, and get ready to let the music move you!

Admission is FREE and open to everyone. See you there!

BCT Presents: Arsenic and Old Lace

Now thru June 30, 2024

Clearwater Casino Resort:

Diamond Star Halo - 70's Glam Rock Hits

Friday, June 21, 2024, 8:30 pm

El Loco - ZZ Top Tribute

Saturday, June 22, 2024, 8:30 pm

See Community Events above for the full line-up!

Kitsap Pride Presents: Laugh with Pride

Sunday, June 23, 2024, 5:00 pm

Two Days of Bridge Blast!

June 29 & 30, 2024

Coming Soon: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

July 19 - August 4, 2024

An absent-minded professor, unsuccessful with several of his inventions, finally has success, when he fixes up an old racing car. Take flight with us on this magical adventure.

Show Dates: 

July 19 to August 4, 2024 

Fridays at 7 p.m.

Saturdays & Sundays at 2 p.m.

Special Saturday Evening Show July 27 at 7 p.m. 

Save-the-Date: Whaling Days Festival

July 26-28, 2024

Bremerton Airshow

August 17 & 18, 2024