Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Important News for You

Last Call for Parade Sign-Ups

Deadline is Friday, May 1st

Calling all businesses, nonprofits, community organization, marching bands and more! Join us on May 16th for the 79th Annual Armed Forces Day Parade in Downtown Bremerton. What better way to show your support of our local military community than to spend your Saturday morning with 20,000+ locals and visitors alike. Entry to the parade is free! Visit our website to sign up now.

PARTICIPATE IN THE PARADE

Chamber News

Check out and like the

Greater Kitsap Chamber Facebook pages!

April Membership Luncheon

Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 11:00am

Parking is ONLY available on the Green Level underneath the Kitsap Conference Center. If you park on the first level (Anthony's or the Hampton Inn), you may be subject to tickets and towing.

Social Security 101: Just the Basics

Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 4:30pm

Armed Forces Day Culinary Arts Competition

Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:00am

RECAP: April Off the Clock

The vibes were high at this month's Chamber: Off the Clock! Huge thanks to Vibe Coworks for hosting and creating such a welcoming space for meaningful conversation and connection among our business community. And a big shoutout to Honeybee Horticulture for the delicious treats, and to Jeff and Dale for their stellar bartending.

RECAP: Old Town Kitchen Ribbon Cutting

The Greater Kitsap Chamber was honored to be part of Old Town Kitchen's official ribbon cutting on Saturday, April 25th. While the space may look a little different to longtime customers, Old Town Kitchen continues to be a beloved gathering place for our community. Congrats to Donna Prior and her team on this exciting new chapter!

Accessible Healthcare with NICE

Business Health Trust Has You Covered

Not loving your current benefits experience?

If your current plan feels harder to use than it should, it may be time for a closer look. Through our chamber’s partnership with Business Health Trust, members can compare options from major carriers and build benefits that work better for both employers and employees.

Many BHT medical plans also include Nice Healthcare, giving employees a simple first stop for $0 care with virtual visits, mental health support, physical therapy, and in-person follow-ups in many areas.

🔗 Webpage Link: https://businesshealthtrust.com/products/nice-healthcare/

Questions? Contact BHT!

(425) 201-1972

nice@businesshealthtrust.com

Not a BHT member? Are you ready to build a better benefits package?

Visit bhtquote.com to learn more and get a free quote.

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 us now!

Missed a previous edition of the Chamber's Community Connections?

View all the past issues on our website HERE.

Member News

New Members - Welcome to the Chamber!

Post Your Event on the

Kitsap Business Calendar

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT

Changing Faces, Changing Places

Share your business news today

Has your team recently welcomed a new hire, celebrated a promotion, or marked a retirement? Kitsap Business magazine's Changing Faces, Changing Places section highlights the people powering our local business community. Chamber members are invited to share their staff updates for inclusion in an upcoming issue.

Send your announcements to news@kitsapbusiness.com and let us help you recognize the faces behind your success.

Member Spotlight

The Greater Kitsap Chamber is pleased to recognize Reliable Storage as our April Member of the Month. A trusted local provider, and Chamber member since 1989, Reliable Storage has built a strong reputation for dependable service, safe facilities, and a genuine commitment to the Kitsap community. Their ongoing involvement with the Chamber reflects a business that values connection, relationships, and local impact.

Secure Solutions, Strong Community Ties

Serving individuals, families, and businesses throughout Kitsap County, Reliable Storage offers clean, accessible, and secure storage solutions designed to meet a wide range of needs. Whether supporting residents during life transitions or providing space solutions for local businesses, their services help make every day logistics simpler and more reliable.

Beyond their facilities, Reliable Storage is an engaged community partner. Their team is a regular presence at Chamber Luncheons and Chamber: Off the Clock, where they actively connect with fellow members and contribute to the collaborative spirit that defines the Greater Kitsap Chamber. Their participation helps foster meaningful relationships and strengthens the region’s business network.

A Reliable Partner in Every Sense

With a focus on customer service, professionalism, and local engagement, Reliable Storage consistently delivers on its promise of reliability. Their active participation in Chamber programs and events highlights their dedication to being more than just a service provider - they are a dependable partner invested in the success and well-being of Kitsap County.

The Greater Kitsap Chamber is grateful for Reliable Storage’s continued engagement and we’re proud to spotlight them as our April Member of the Month.

www.reliablestorage.com

Business & Professional Development Committee

Member Education & Training Resources

SCORE: 10 Free Marketing Tools Every

Small Business Should Be Using

Friday, May 1, 2026, 10:00am

10 Free Marketing Tools Every Small Business Should Be Using: You don’t need a big budget to market like a pro. In this practical, fast-paced workshop, we’ll walk through 10 powerful (and free) marketing tools you can start using immediately to grow your business. You’ll learn how to improve your visibility, attract more leads, create better content, and track what’s working — all without spending a dollar on software. Bring your questions and leave with a curated toolkit you can implement right away.

Registration Fee: $10

SBDC: Business Ownership Decoded

Independent vs. Franchise Models

Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 1:00pm

Are you curious whether franchising could be the right path to business ownership? Most people think of McDonald's, but food represents only about a third of franchises in the U.S. The other two-thirds span automotive, home services, senior care, pet services, children's programs, health and wellness, and dozens more. This presentation offers a practical overview of how the franchise model works in the real world and what it takes to invest in and operate one successfully. Attendees will learn what to consider before moving forward, including costs, personal fit, operational expectations, long-term goals, and common risks to watch for. Join us to gain a clearer foundation, ask smarter questions, and decide whether franchising is the right next step for you.

Firebrand Action Lab: How Customers Find You

Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 9:00am

Join us for our first-ever Firebrand Action Lab, focused on the question at the heart of every business:

How do customers actually find you—and what makes them decide to buy?

This half-day working session brings entrepreneurs together to tackle these challenges in real time. It’s a working session, not a lecture.

Come ready to work through real business questions alongside your peers and experienced mentors. You’ll walk away with:

A clearer way to talk about your business and value
New strategies for reaching and connecting with customers
Practical tools to strengthen sales conversions and follow-up
Peer and mentor insights tailored to your real business challenges

Whether you’re still figuring out how to start customer conversations or refining your approach, this Action Lab will give you practical strategies you can use right away.

Business News & Resources

19 Free Resources for Small Businesses

to Leverage Year-Round

Published by the US Chamber of Commerce, April 21, 2025

Photo courtesy of the US Chamber of Commerce

From operations and logistics to employee and customer management, small business owners wear many hats to keep things running smoothly. Without experience, acting in this role can be challenging at the least—and a fast track to failure at the worst.

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of resources available to support you through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship—whether you’re just starting out, trying to stay on track, or want to take your business to new heights. Here are some of the best tools and resources you can use to support your small business year-round.

Amazon

Amazon’s Small Business Academy provides a wealth of free resources, ideal for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs. These resources include live events, podcasts, and on-demand classes, along with access to a network of like-minded business professionals. Additionally, they offer practical guides for starting and growing a successful business, and specific resources catered to those interested in selling their wares on Amazon’s store.

Read the full article here

L&I Resources

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.

Seasonal Safety Tips

April is Ladder, Stairway & Scaffold Awareness Month.

And next month is Heat Related Illness Awareness Month. How do I know that? By staying in the safety loop with the Northwest Independent Contractors Association’s safety calendar. This amazing training tool, funded by L&I, provides a safety topic for each month, along with a safety meeting tracker and attendance sheet.

Quick ladder safety tips:

Inspect ladders for physical defects before use.
When you ascend or descend a ladder, do not carry objects that will prevent you from grasping the ladder with both hands.
Always face the ladder when ascending and descending.
Labels must be original and weight loads must be followed for each class of ladder.

And let’s look ahead to May with some heat related illness information:

Employers must supply adequate water and encourage workers who work in hot weather to drink regularly
Even for workers who are not thirsty, a small amount of water every 15 minutes is recommended rather than a large amount after hours of sweating.
Learn and look for the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.
This is especially important for non- acclimatized workers, those returning from vacations, and all workers during heat waves.
Try to do the heaviest work during the cooler parts of the day.
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored, breathable (e.g. cotton) clothing and a hat.

Want to learn more? Check out these resources:

Got a question or issue to be solved?

Call L&I's Small Business Liaisons for assistance.

Phone: 1-800-987-0145

Email: SmallBusiness@Lni.wa.go v | Negocios@Lni.wa.gov

Online: Lni.wa.gov/SmallBusiness

Nonprofit News & Resources

Reverse the Trend: Motivate More Giving

in the Kitsap Region

Published by the Kitsap Community Foundation, April 6, 2026

Photo courtesy of the Kitsap Community Foundation

Recent reports suggest that changes to federal tax policy could reduce charitable giving by as much as $5 to $7 billion annually. While philanthropy has never been driven solely by tax benefits, there is no question that tax incentives influence the timing, structure, and level of donations, especially among higher-income donors.

For our nonprofit partners in the Kitsap region, this projected decline serves as a wake-up call. External economic factors will always shift, but our local commitment to community doesn’t have to. This is an opportunity for us to refocus on what matters most: building strong, lasting relationships with supporters and reinforcing the value of giving at every level.

We want to see our local nonprofits stay resilient. Here is how we can work together to reverse the trend and keep generosity growing right here at home.

Deepen Donor Engagement Through Real Connection

When tax incentives fluctuate, relationships become your most valuable asset. Donors who feel a deep, personal connection to your mission, and who clearly see the impact of their gifts, are far more likely to continue their support regardless of what is happening in D.C.

Consistent communication is the key. We recommend moving away from "transactional" fundraising and toward "relational" storytelling. Instead of only reaching out during peak fundraising seasons, we suggest increasing your touchpoints throughout the year. Share the raw stories of the people you serve. Report on specific outcomes. When you highlight the real-world difference a donor’s gift makes, you reinforce that their contribution is an investment in a better Kitsap, not just a line item on a tax return.

Read the article here

Greater Kitsap News

Riding the Ferry Will Get More Expensive

in May with WSF Rate Hike

Published in the Kitsap Sun, April 17, 2026

Photo courtesy of the Kitsap Sun

More fare increases by Washington State Ferries will hit vehicle riders the hardest as the summer season approaches.

Starting May 1, both passenger and vehicle ticket prices will rise by 3% permanently throughout the WSF system, with vehicle riders facing additional charges during the busier months. While peak season pricing previously varied by route, a 35% surcharge will now be applied to single-ride vehicle and motorcycle fares across all routes until Sept. 30. WSF routes in Kitsap County used to reflect a 25% surcharge at this time of year.

For connections servicing Kitsap County in Bremerton, Bainbridge Island and Kingston, walk-on passengers will pay a one-time fare of $11.35 while standard vehicle riders will pay $27 per trip. The hike in ticket prices will cost Kitsap vehicle riders almost $15 more round-trip compared to the early months of 2026, and about $5 more than fares at the same time last year. Walk-on passengers face 30-cent increases, compared to 2025 prices.

WSF has already imposed additional charges to passengers, including a 3% card processing fee on all transactions in March 2026, and a dollar surge to all tickets in October 2025 to help fund construction costs for new ferry vessels. Although, a pilot will also begin in May that will extend expiration dates for multi-ride passes by 30 more days and will be valid for 120 days in total.

Read the article here

CENTRAL KITSAP ROAD REPORT

BREMERTON ROAD REPORT

Community Information

Pop Up Comedy Show @ The Kitsap Mall

April 30 - May 2, 2026, 7:00pm

TICKETS

Bremerton First Friday Art Walk

Friday, May 1, 2026, 5:00pm

Enjoy a free community event that showcases the thriving art scene in Bremerton. First Friday Art Walk is held in Downtown Bremerton, Charleston, Lebo, and Manette every first Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm. Rain or shine. Discover your future favorite gallery, retail shops, and local eats!

CSTOCK Summer Camps 2026

Registration open!

Kitsap Summer Music Discovery Camp

Sign your student up now!

Masks Still Available

Free at the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center

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.