Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | |
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Kitsap Women's Summit Returns this March
Tickets on sale Monday, February 3rd
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We are thrilled to announce the return of the Kitsap Women's Summit, Thursday, March 20th at the Kitsap Conference Center. Tickets go on sale Monday, February 3rd at 8:00 am and seating is limited. We hope you will join us for this empowering day of community building and conversation. A very special thanks to our sponsors, Business Health Trust, along with Pier 52 Bookkeeping, Kitsap Bank and KEDA. We'll see you in March! | |
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February Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
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Join us for our annual State of Kitsap luncheon, with special guest speakers, Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler and Kitsap County Commissioner Katie Walters. Hear from our local elected leaders about accomplishments from this last year, and what 2025 has in store for both Bremerton and Kitsap County. You won't want to miss this informative luncheon!
This month's luncheon will be held at the Kitsap Conference Center. Paid parking is available on the GREEN (2nd level) underneath the Conference Center.
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Save-the-Date: Military Appreciation Day
Saturday, March 15, 2025
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Contact Tiffany to sign up now or to secure your sponsorship! | |
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Looking for a Travel Escape in 2025?
Travel Abroad with the Chamber
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Contact Irene to learn more! | |
Insurance Needs for You & Your Employees: Business Health Trust Has You Covered | |
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Big changes are coming to healthcare and insurance in 2025. Did you know the IRS has expanded preventative care benefits for high-deductible health plans? This includes coverage for over-the-counter contraceptives, continuous glucose monitors, and certain insulin products.
Our partner, Business Health Trust has summarized the insurance and healthcare changes impacting Washington employers and employees this year.
Click the link to read:
🔗 Article Link: https://businesshealthtrust.com/news_insights/insurance-changes-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know/
Not a BHT member? Are you ready to build a better benefits package? Email quote@businesshealthtrust.com to learn more and get a free quote.
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Renew your membership today to ensure your benefits as a member of the Greater Kitsap Chamber! Questions about when to renew or how to upgrade your membership? Need a new membership window cling or digital badge? 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! | |
Kitsap Regional Library Community Survey | |
WorkSource Seeking Input from Job Seekers | |
Valentine's Special from Honeybee Horticulture | |
Congratulations to the Leadership Kitsap Foundation on being selected the January 2025 Member of the Month! | |
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Legislative Day & Hill Climb
Today is your last day to register with the Chamber
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Join the Greater Kitsap Chamber as we participate in AWB's annual Legislative Day and Hill Climb! Bring your business concerns directly to Olympia, speak to our local legislators, and learn about policies and legislation that could impact Kitsap-county businesses. Registration includes transportation to and from Olympia. | |
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House Labor Committee Hears HB 1184
Bill addresses high overtime salary threshold
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Courtesy of the Washington Retail Association
The House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee recently heard testimony on HB 1184, a bill designed to alleviate the burdensome overtime-exempt salary requirements affecting nonprofits and small businesses. Advocates, including the Nonprofit Association of Washington and chambers from across the state, highlighted how the Labor & Industries (L&I) rules have forced organizations to alter service models, harming communities and demoralizing staff by converting directors to hourly positions.
In January 2020, L&I introduced rules significantly increasing the salary threshold for overtime exempt employees. Since then, the threshold has risen by 93%, far outpacing the 21% increase in the minimum wage during the same period. If the current multiplier schedule remains unchanged, the threshold is projected to increase by another 40% by 2028, assuming a 3% annual minimum wage rise.
Washington Retail testified in support of small and main street retailers, emphasizing that the high salary threshold stifles innovation, creates barriers, and fosters inequities for entrepreneurs seeking to address unmet needs.
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WA Lawmakers Look for Ways to
Build More Housing in Rural Areas
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Published in the Washington State Standard, January 27, 2025
Photo: Getty Images
Building more housing in rural parts of Washington is again top of mind for some state lawmakers.
Bills to allow backyard cottages in new areas, to expand where developers can receive tax breaks for building apartments and to let property owners split their plots are all making their way through the legislative process.
Similar proposals came up last year, but many failed, sparking criticism from Republicans who said the Democratic majority was not doing enough to expand rural housing.
This year, bipartisan support and early public hearings could signal an opening for getting the proposals across the finish line before the legislative session ends in April.
Read the story here
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Fix Our Ferries Townhalls
Community meetings across Kitsap
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Representative Greg Nance of the 23rd Legislative District will again be hosting townhalls across Kitsap to talk about fixes for our Washington State ferry system. Save the date to bring your questions, hear complaints and suggestions, and find out what our state legislators have planned moving forward to fix our ferries.
SAVE THE DATE
1pm Saturday, February 1 — Bainbridge City Hall
1pm Saturday, February 8 — Poulsbo City Hall
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Business & Professional Development Committee | |
Member Education & Training Resources | |
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SCORE: Building a Formal Business Plan
Monday, February 3, 2025, 4:00 pm
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Planning is the key to business success, and it all comes together in a detailed business plan. This 3-hour workshop is designed to give you, the business owner, the skills and know-how needed to write a successful and detailed business plan, which will cover these main topics:

- Describing your product or service.
- Describing your product pricing, packaging and distribution.
- Describing your marketing plan.
- Describing your business operations.
- Describing organization structure and management structure.
Workshop Fee: FREE
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Summit Business Workshop
Friday, February 21, 2025, 9:30 am
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Unlock the Secret to GROWTH
an Executive Leadership Masterclass
Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 8:00 am
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Business News & Resources | |
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Grant Opportunity for Small Non-Profits
Deadline to apply is Friday
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The Olympic Workforce Development Council is proud to sponsor a Small Non-Profit Business Grant with our Commerce Reinvestment Program (CRP) initiative, in collaboration with WorkSource Clallam and WorkSource Kitsap.
The CRP initiative aims to support non-profits serving Black, Latine, and Tribal communities in Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties.
Selected organizations are eligible to receive up to $10,000 toward growth and expansion asset purchases.
Deadline for Applications: January 31, 2025
Grant Award Announced: Beginning of March 2025
Click here: Commerce Reinvestment Funds Grant Application
Solicitud de Subvención CRP disponible en Español.
Para cualquier pregunta, contacte a: Frank Portello.
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Quick and interesting reads for employers, employees,
local leaders, and everyone in between!
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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. | |
1st Quarter Webinars for Small Businesses
L&I Essentials for Business webinars cover:
- Essentials about workers' compensation, quarterly reporting, what to do if your employee is injured, workplace safety and health requirements, wage and hour laws, and contractor registration rules;
- How to access a range of L&I resources and services designed to help your business save time and money; and
- Various ways L&I partners with you to keep your workforce safe and healthy.

Upcoming monthly 80-minute L&I Essentials for Business Webinars:
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Nonprofit News & Resources | |
Nonprofit Fundamentals Series | |
Levies in South Kitsap, North Mason School Districts No Sure Thing | |
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Published in the Kitsap Sun, January 28, 2025
The North Mason and South Kitsap school districts may be destined for close calls when voters decide the fate of funding measures in the Feb. 11 special election.
Both districts are seeking renewal of four-year educational programs and operations (EP&O) levies set to expire at the end of 2025. Levies supplement the state's basic education allotment to operate and maintain schools and help districts pay for classroom support, special education, counseling, transportation, food service, arts, athletics and activities, security and utilities.
Read the story here
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Silverdale GreenDrinks @ BC Fitness
Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 5:24 pm
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Bremerton GreenDrinks @ Fairfield Inn
Thursday, February 13, 2025, 5:00 pm
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My Furry Valentine
Now thru February 14, 2025
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Masks Still 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. Pick up your supply at both GKC locations today. Available while supplies last.
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Can I still get COVID-19 tests?
You can order free, at-home COVID-19 tests from CovidTests.gov
Tests are available from many pharmacies and retailers. Healthcare providers can provide testing. If you test positive for COVID-19, follow CDC guidance.
If you need tests for your organization, contact Kitsap Public Health at ready@kitsappublichealth.org or 360-728-2235.
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Free immunization clinics for children
Kitsap Public Health is offering free immunization clinics for children 18 and younger on Jan. 22 and Jan. 23 in Bremerton. Our clinic provides flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, and routine childhood immunizations.

Learn more and book an appointment at kitsappublichealth.org/clinic.
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Admiral Theatre: Whose Live Anyway?
Friday, January 31 & Saturday, February 1, 2025
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Clearwater Casino Presents:
ABBAGRAPHS - ABBA Tribute
Friday, January 31, 2025, 8:30 pm
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13 Til Midnight - Taylor Swift Tribute
Saturday, February 1, 2025, 8:30 pm
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JBT Presents: Curtain Up!
Now thru February 2, 2025
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BCT Presents: Agatha Christie's Spider's Web
February 7 - March 2, 2025
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Spider's Web by Agatha Christie
In Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web, the charming and imaginative Clarissa Hailsham-Brown finds herself in a real-life mystery when a dead body turns up in her drawing room. As the wife of a diplomat, she’s used to spinning tales of adventure, but this time, she must navigate the chaos of a murder investigation while trying to keep her household in order. With the help of her quirky guests and the arrival of the wry Inspector Lord, hilarity ensues as they attempt to dispose of the body before her husband returns with an important politician. This delightful comedy-thriller is filled with suspense, hidden doorways, secret drawers, and Christie’s signature blend of tension and humor.
Content Advisory: Themes of murder, mystery, and deception, all presented in a comedic and light-hearted manner; some mature themes related to crime and deception, but they are handled with Christie’s characteristic wit and charm; there is no graphic violence, though the plot revolves around a murder and the comedic attempts to hide the body; there are mentions of drug addicts, but these are not central to the plot and are handled in a non-explicit manner.
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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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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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