Wednesday, January 31, 2024 |
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GKC Recaps First Annual Hill Climb |
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber leadership team took their advocacy efforts to Olympia last week, along with nearly a dozen members representing small business, nonprofits and local government, to share legislative priorities with elected officials during this short session. The Chamber participated in their first-ever in-person Hill Climb, courtesy of the Association of Washington Business, whose role as the state Chamber of Commerce is to advocate for businesses in Washington. Prior to this year's event, Chamber leadership had actively participated in virtual hill climbs due to the pandemic. 2024 marked the return to in-person legislative days like this one.
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While in Olympia, the GKC delegation was able to meet with Kitsap legislators, including Senator Emily Randall of the 26th legislative district and Senator Drew Hansen of the 23rd LD, Representatives Spencer Hutchins and Michelle Caldier of the 26th LD, Representative Greg Nance of the 23rd LD, Representative Travis Couture of the 35th LD, as well as representatives from the office of Representative Tarra Simmons of the 23rd LD. Hill Climb participants were able to share their concerns with various pieces of legislation and hear where their local representatives stand on issues.
The Association of Washington Business (AWB) also provided opportunities to sit in on committee hearings throughout the day and offered a lunchtime address by Lt. Governor Denny Heck.
The GKC encourages all members to be active in the legislative process and is a ready advocate for our members and businesses in the region. Please reach out to the Chamber to learn more and plan to spend the day with us next January for our 2025 Hill Climb.
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February Luncheon @ Kitsap Golf & Country
Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 11:00 am
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Join us on the 28th as we welcome our special guest speaker, Beth Wolfe, Chief Creator and Founder at Platinum L.I.F.E. University & Coaching. Beth will share her tips on increasing your energy and decreasing stress, and how daily biohacks could improve your business life. Enjoy some business self-care at this month's luncheon - you won't want to miss!
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Military Appreciation Day Booths Available
Reserve a spot at our family day for Kitsap's military community
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We're putting the family fun back into our annual Military Appreciation Day! We'd love to have your business join us as we introduce Kitsap's military community to all the amazing businesses, services, and nonprofits in and around our county. Reserve a booth and share what you do with active duty, reservists, and retiree families.
Families will enjoy learning all about Kitsap and what it has to offer and can sample yummy bites from some of Kitsap's favorite food trucks, while the kids enjoy carnival games, bouncy houses, and will even get to run an obstacle course made just for them.
Sign up now for a booth and join in this long-standing military family tradition - the only event like this in Kitsap County!
Sponsorships are also available. Contact Tiffany to learn more!
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Get the Most Out of Your Member Benefits |
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Insurance done differently. Our benefits partner BHT offers quality, cost-effective medical plans plus a whole lot more, including concierge level customer service and innovative cost-saving programs and resources.
Before you renew this year, be sure to benchmark your benefits with BHT – and learn how purchasing your benefits package through an Association Health Plan can benefit you.
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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! |
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Bremerton School District Hosts
Community Open Houses
January 31 & February 5, 2024
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Learn more about the bond and levy at one of the Community Open Houses hosted by the District. Have your questions answered and tour the facility. This is a great opportunity to learn just what your taxpayer dollars can do. |
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Central Kitsap School District
Asks for Levy Support
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Congratulations again, to the team at Help Desk Cavalry, for their outstanding service and their selection as the January 2024 Member of the Month for the Greater Kitsap Chamber! If you know a business that goes above and beyond for the community, and is actively engaged with the Chamber, nominate them now for consideration as a future Member of the Month by emailing us here.
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1676 NE McWilliams Road | Bremerton, WA 98311 | (360) 930-6990
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Legislative Alerts for Your Consideration
Contact your lawmakers in response to these bills
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Lawmakers in Olympia are considering a bill that would provide unemployment insurance benefits to workers who voluntarily go on strike.
This is not what the UI trust fund was designed to do, and it will lead to a host of issues including:
- Higher UI costs for employers
- The potential for longer strikes
- Financial hits to school districts when teachers go on strike
- Increased costs for state infrastructure projects including affordable housing and transportation projects impacted by construction strikes
The UI fund, which is 100% paid for by employers, was created to provide benefits for people who lose their job through no fault of their own and who are actively searching for work.
People who are choosing not to work — for whatever reason — don’t meet those criteria.
Please take a moment to contract your state senator and urge them to vote NO on SB 5777.
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The Association of Washington Business is still urging businesses and consumers across the state to contact their legislators and urge them to vote no on all of the proposed gift card bills.
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HB 2095/SB 5988 require businesses to transfer unspent gift card funds to the state as unclaimed property after three years, report consumer data to the Department of Revenue related to gift cards, and honor gift cards even after funds have been turned over to the state
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HB 2094/SB 5987 require businesses to cash out gift cards to customers when the balance is below $50 (raising the threshold from $5)
Proponents have tried to “amend” the gift card practices bill to change cash out provisions to $9.99 (from the current $5.00 level) and do not seem to see anything wrong with the unclaimed property bills.
Some of the concerns that AWB has voiced in opposition to these bills include:
- Reloads in small amounts cost retailers more due to financial charges for each transaction. A minimum reload threshold helps retailers absorb costs associated with the transactions.
- The $9.99 “cash out on demand” by the owner is still problematic.
- This would put Washington on par with California at the under $10 threshold.
- There are only 13 states that require any level of cash-out, and all other states (beside CA) have the threshold below $5.
- In California, the cash out can be done by cash OR check, which is not allowed in the Washington “cash out on demand” language. This could put workers and customers safety at risk because businesses would still have to maintain cash on hand.
- The language on “electronic” or “internet-based application” may still impact loyalty programs.
If you have any questions or concerns, or would like additional information on these bills, please contact Emily Shay, AWB Government Affairs Director for Taxation and Fiscal Policy at emilys@awb.org or Crystal Leatherman, Local and State Government Affairs Director at cleatherman@washingtonretail.org.
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The Washington Hospitality Association is calling on voters to take action on the above bills that could drastically impact the hospitality industry and consumers. Click on each bill for more information. |
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Member Education & Training Resources |
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SCORE: The Key to Business Success if Authentic Leadership
Thursday, February 1, 2024, 4:00 pm
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"The Key to Business Success is Authentic Leadership" workshop is designed for entrepreneurs who want to optimize their business' potential. In this workshop, you will discover the distinction between managing and leading, and how it impacts your business success.
You will learn the responsibility that comes with being an entrepreneur as a leader and how to lead yourself first, to enable you to lead others including your team, your followers and your customers successfully. You will discover the principles of authentic leadership and how to apply them to your business to create a positive impact, boost productivity, and increase customer satisfaction. With practical tips, tools, and strategies, this workshop will empower you to become an authentic entrepreneurial leader and drive business growth. Join us and discover how authentic leadership can transform your business.
Workshop Fee: FREE
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SCORE: Redesign Your Website for 2024
Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 1:00 pm
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When did you last look at your business’s website? Or perhaps you are still trying to develop one? Websites remain an incredibly popular destination for site traffic. When you add up all of the functions and ways they can work for and represent your business, nothing works harder online than a professional website.
It can also be daunting to create one with various tools and design suggestions floating around. In this workshop, we will cover recent trends in website design for businesses and other organizations. That will include the latest in content and design best practices and what tools you can use to create a site and why. But most importantly, we will cover the 10 key elements of website design that determine whether a website is just OK or great. We will also touch on submitting your site to Google for rankings and security and hosting considerations.
So, if you want to super-charge your website and make it an active resource for getting new customers, this workshop is for you!
Workshop Fee: FREE
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Business News & Resources |
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WTIA Founder Cohort Accelerator Now Open
Applications accepted until March 4, 2024
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WTIA Founder Cohort program helps 30-35 venture-scale, seed-stage startups grow and scale over the course of 6 months. We and our partners will provide founders with a roadmap that will help guide them through their next milestones as they navigate increasing revenue, securing investment, and growing the team.
Specifically, founders in the program will learn:
- How to fundraise (running a fundraising process, term sheets, cap tables, etc.)
- How to manage a board of directors
- Corporate governance (accounting, legal, etc.)
- Customer development and go-to-market strategies
Our goal is to help invest in our ecosystem and use our connections, sponsors, and partners to support the next generation of companies via mentorship, education, coaching, and connections. We also want to connect early-stage entrepreneurs with similarly staged peers to build cohorts of connected founders that grow together.
The program is completely virtual and kicks off with a bootcamp spread out over 3 days focused on all things fundraising. From there we’ll have workshops each month on stage-appropriate topics that you can implement in your company right away.
This program is free to apply for, free to participate in, and there will be no equity exchanged.
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National Coalition of Retail Associations Rally Behind Economic Growth and Tax Reform |
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In a unified act, 35 state retail associations have joined forces with 255 state and national organizations, representing a broad spectrum of the U.S. economy, to endorse HR 7024, the “Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act.” This coalition underscores the widespread support for the bill, which aims to stimulate economic growth and job creation through key tax policy changes.
The bill, currently under review by the House Ways & Means Committee, proposes reinstating three critical tax policies: immediate expensing of domestic Research & Development (R&D) expenses, enhanced interest deductibility, and 100% accelerated depreciation. These measures are vital for maintaining the competitive edge of American businesses in the global market.
The letter to Congress, signed by a broad array of organizations, including the American Retail Federation, the American Manufacturing Association, and various state chambers of commerce, emphasizes the importance of these tax policies in fostering innovation, job creation, and economic growth. The signatories argue that these measures have historically enjoyed bipartisan support and have enabled U.S. businesses to innovate and create high-paying jobs, thereby contributing to national security and global economic leadership.
The letter also highlights the urgency of this legislation in the context of increasing global competition, particularly from countries like China, which are offering substantial incentives to their industries. The coalition argues that restoring these tax provisions is crucial for protecting small and medium-sized businesses, safeguarding family-supporting jobs, and encouraging billions of dollars in pro-growth investments.
The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act is seen as a pivotal step in bolstering the U.S. economy. By advocating for the restoration of these key tax policies, the coalition of state retail associations and other organizations is sending a strong message to Congress about the importance of supporting American innovation, manufacturing, and overall economic growth. The widespread support for this bill reflects a collective recognition of the need to maintain America’s competitive edge in the global economy.
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3 Steps to Fight Retail Crime |
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The retail crime wave continues to be a national crisis, with businesses and communities struggling in its wake.
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Safety is vital for businesses and communities to thrive in the world of free enterprise, especially as businesses large and small across the United States grapple with a historic wave of retail crime.
Why it matters: Retail crime creates higher prices for consumers, endangers customers and employees, and sometimes results in stores closing, leaving communities without access to goods and services.
- Coordination by businesses and government. Information sharing among local businesses, law enforcement, and policymakers can increase crime detection and quicken response efforts.
- Aggregate offenses to punish repeat offenders. Criminals exploit the law to minimize their chances of arrest and prosecution. They steal just below the threshold of a felony and do it in multiple jurisdictions. If law enforcement can aggregate offenses, we can reduce repeated thefts.
- Prosecute aggressively. States should work to reduce the case backlog for state and local courts, freeing up prosecutors’ ability to address retail crimes. States should also empower attorneys general and special prosecutors to help with multi-jurisdictional cases to send a strong message against retail crime.
Dig deeper: For a real-world perspective, the U.S. Chamber profiled a family-owned coffee roaster in San Francisco who describes the impact of rising crime and inaction by local leaders. Hear their story.
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Quick and interesting reads for employers, employees,
local leaders, and everyone in between!
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Nonprofit News & Resources |
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Nonprofit Association of Washington:
Tools for Running an Effective Nonprofit
Thursdays, February 8, 15, 22, 2024, 10:00 am
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During the Tools for Running an Effective Nonprofit series, we will cover the basics of running a nonprofit. We will draw on tested tips and tools, including Nonprofit Association of Washington’s four learning toolkits on boards, finance, law, and planning. You will leave with concrete next steps on how to strengthen your organization to better achieve your mission. Join us on this road trip to a strong nonprofit!
Online Series Fee:
FREE for NAWA Members, $30 for Nonmembers
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Ferry Town Hall with Rep. Greg Nance
Saturday, February 3, 2024, 12:00 pm
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New Kitsap County Website Launches Feb. 1st |
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Kitsap County is excited to announce a significant milestone in our digital presence – the transition of our official website from kitsapgov.com to kitsap.gov This change is part of an ongoing effort to enhance user experience and streamline the agency's online presence.
What to Expect: A Seamless Transition
Starting Feb. 1, staff will initiate efforts to switch the website's domain to kitsap.gov The transition will be relatively seamless. There will be no significant changes to the website or its online services, however, people are encouraged to update their website bookmarks to reflect the new domain.
Our Commitment to You
Kitsap County is commitment to serving the needs of all constituents. The transition to kitsap.gov is a strategic move to improve the overall experience for people who interact with our online platform. The new domain is simple and easy to navigate, plus it offers a better user experience.
"A .gov domain is only provided to legitimate US-based government entities, and this provides Kitsap County with a more secure and trusted presence for our community content," said the county's information services director Craig Adams.
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Kitsap Humane Society "My Furry Valentine"
January 5-February 8, 2024
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Overdose Awareness & Prevention Training
Thursday, February 1, 2024, 6:00 pm
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Topics will include overdose risk factors, signs of an overdose, how to respond to an overdose, and common myths and misunderstandings about fentanyl.
The training will cover how to give naloxone (Narcan), an easy-to-use medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. Naloxone will be provided to attendees as supplies allow.
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Bremerton District 2 Community Meeting
Saturday, February 10, 2024, 11:00 am
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Meals on Wheels: Miles for Meals
Registration Now Open
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Masks & COVID Testing Kits 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 or COVID testing kits. Pick up your supply at both GKC locations today. Available while supplies last.
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Foghat @ Admiral Theatre
Friday, February 2, 2024, 7:30 pm
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Foghat celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2021, and their live performances show why the band is still around and will continue to keep on rockin’ as long as they want to! Join us for the timeless music, incredible energy and expert musicianship of a seasoned band with a remarkable history. These guys just love to play!
Are you ready to take a ‘SLOW RIDE’? Just great Rock ‘n Roll/Boogie & Blues!
With the band as high energy and intense as ever, Foghat’s audience now consists of fans of all ages… kids who learned about Foghat from Guitar Hero III, the ‘Dazed & Confused’ generation, and the boomers who bought their vinyl or 8 tracks!
Click here to submit your name and email into a drawing for 2 free tickets to this show!
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Vitalogy @ Clearwater Casino
Friday, February 2, 2024, 9:00 pm
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Enjoy an evening with amazing entertainment Fridays and Saturdays in the Beach Rock Music and Sports starting at 9pm. General Admission tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or in the Casino Gift Shop for just $15*. Gather the gang and head over for an evening of entertainment and fun. Doors open at 7pm, so come early to secure your seat for the show.
Purchase tickets online at Ticketmaster.com or in the Casino Gift Shop.
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BCT Presents: Crimes of the Heart
February 2-25, 2024
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The three Magrath sisters are back together for the first time in a decade. Lenny is the caretaker of the sisters’ cantankerous Old Granddaddy. Meg left home to pursue stardom as a singer in Los Angeles, but has, so far, only found happiness at the bottom of a bottle. And Babe has just been arrested for the murder of her abusive husband. Under the scorching heat of the Mississippi sun, past resentments bubble to the surface and each sister must come to terms with the consequences of her own “crimes of the heart.”
Content Advisory: Contains adult language, references to attempted suicide, and verbal descriptions of domestic violence.
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Roxy Theatre Presents:
Bremerton WestSound Symphony's
Youth Jazz Winter Showcase
Sunday, February 4, 2024, 3:00 pm
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Frosty Fest
February 9-11, 2024
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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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David Emmons
President/CEO
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Irene Moyer
VP, Membership & Strategic Communications
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Tiffany Diamond
Events Coordinator
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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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