Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Important News for You

Kitsap County Hiring Leaders Include

DoD, St. Michael, and OC in Q2 2026

Published in the Kitsap Sun, July 24, 2026

Photo courtesy of the Kitsap Sun

While the Department of Defense remains the largest employer in Kitsap, the county's diverse industries — including healthcare, education, construction, and retail — all contributed to job growth, according to research with 2025 and 2026 data.

According to the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA)'s 2025 Top Employers report released this month, the top three employers in Kitsap County by headcounts are Naval Base Kitsap (Civilian), Naval Base Kitsap (Active Duty), and St. Michael Medical Center — the same ranking as in 2024.

NBK employed 24,340 civilians and 18,360 active duty service members in 2025. The headcount of St. Michael Medical Center, the top employer in the healthcare industry, was 2,087 in 2025, a slight increase from the 2,007 in 2024.

Central Kitsap School District, the fourth-largest Kitsap employer in 2024, dropped to fifth place, while South Kitsap School District rose from fifth to fourth and became the largest employer in the education industry in 2025. The headcount of SKSD in 2025 was 1,774, followed by 1,541 in CKSD, 1,077 in Olympic College (ranked 7th), 839 in North Kitsap School District (ranked 8th), and 720 in Bremerton School District.

Read the article here

Don't Forget to Vote: Ballots Due August 4th Ballot boxes open 24-hours daily until 8pm Election Day

Vote Centers open the Saturday and Monday before the Primary and General Election Day and on Election Day for Special Elections.

The centers are designed primarily for new voters needing to register, voters who lost or did not receive their ballots in the mail, voters needing to change their addresses, and voters wishing to vote using the Accessible Voting Unit.

Voters who want to vote in a voting location are also welcome. A ballot from the vote center is the same as the one you receive in the mail. If you receive a ballot in the mail but want to vote in the vote center, bring that ballot and step into one of the voting partition spaces. This will help keep the line short for voters who need to register or receive a replacement ballot.

Beginning 18 days before each election, ballot drop boxes remain open 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

There are 27 ballot drop boxes located throughout Kitsap County. Ballot drops provide a safe, secure way for voters to deposit their ballots. No postage is required. Our ballot drop boxes also meet accessibility requirements for voters with disabilities.

Please note: In some elections some boxes may not be in use if there are no elections in that part of the county.

Chamber News

Check out and like the

Greater Kitsap Chamber Facebook pages!

July Membership Luncheon

Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 11:00am

Join us at our July luncheon at Olympic College for "Bingo & BBQ" as we celebrate summer with our annual luncheon benefiting the Greater Kitsap Chamber Foundation and scholarship programs. Enjoy fun games and networking while we fundraise to support foundation programs.

Activities will be in the Bremer Student Center (Building 10) with parking available in Lot 5 and Lot 7. We can't wait to see you there!

RECAP: July Off the Clock

What a beautiful evening for Chamber: Off the Clock at The Resort at Port Ludlow on July 21! Surrounded by stunning views, we had the opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and welcome new ones as business leaders from across Kitsap County and the Port Ludlow region came together to network and build relationships.

Off the Clock reminds us that wherever you are in the area, there’s always a connection to be made, helping to build a vibrant community to live, work, and do business.

RECAP: Byron Street Bites Ribbon Cutting

There's nothing better than seeing local businesses thrive! The Old Town Mercantile in Silverdale recently expanded with the opening of their new food trailer, Byron Street Bites. From tasty meals to waterfront views, it's a great new addition to the community. Congratulations on this exciting milestone!

Accessible Healthcare with NICE

Business Health Trust Has You Covered

Care Should Keep Up With Full Calendars

Summer and early fall don’t leave much room for healthcare delays. When work is busy, kids are home or heading back to school, and schedules are stretched, a hard-to-use plan can cost more than money. It can cost half a day.

Through our chamber’s partnership with Business Health Trust, members can compare benefits from major carriers and build plans that work better for small teams. Many BHT medical plans also include Nice Healthcare, giving employees a simple first stop for care when something comes up.

With Nice, employees can get same-day help for many common needs, start with virtual care, and get guidance if more support is needed. For everyday concerns, starting with Nice can help avoid an unnecessary urgent care trip and keep the week moving.

🔗 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!

Bainbridge Island & Poulsbo

Kitsap Humane Society: Wine & Whiskers

August 1 - September 30, 2026

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.

Business & Professional Development Committee

Member Education & Training Resources

SCORE: Funding for Start-Ups

Tuesday, August 4, 2026, 10:00am

Ready to Fund Your Business Dream?

Whether you’re launching a new venture or looking to grow an existing business, this workshop will help you better understand the funding options available to entrepreneurs today.

Join us for an informative and practical session covering:

Different sources of business funding
What lenders and investors are really looking for
The pros and cons of various financing options
Types of business loans and how they work
Tips to help you prepare for funding success

Designed especially for start-ups, this workshop is also valuable for established business owners seeking new opportunities to finance and grow their businesses. Gain insights, ask questions, and leave with tools to help move your business forward with confidence.

Registration Fee: FREE

SBDC: Access to Capital - Preparing Your Business for Funding Success

Thursday, August 6, 2026, 11:00am

Access to capital is one of the most common challenges facing small businesses—but many owners pursue funding without fully understanding how to prepare for it.

In this practical and informative webinar, you’ll gain insight into how lenders evaluate risk, what makes a strong funding request, and how to avoid common mistakes that lead to denials.

Gain a clearer understanding of:

How to align your funding needs with the right financing options
What lenders expect to see in your financials and documentation
How to strengthen your business before applying
The key numbers every business owner should understand

Whether you are just starting out, growing, or preparing for your next opportunity, this session will help you approach funding with confidence, clarity, and a stronger chance of success.

Registration Fee: FREE

Business News & Resources

State Budget Outlook Faces Renewed Scrutiny

Published in by the WA Retail Association, July 23, 2026

Photo courtesy of the WA Retail Association

Washington’s latest revenue forecast shows the state’s current budget remains balanced, but it also highlights growing concerns about future budget pressures as economic growth slows and spending commitments continue to increase.

The June revenue forecast raised projected collections for the current 2025–27 biennium by about $554 million compared with the enacted budget, while lowering projected revenue for the 2027–29 biennium by approximately $461 million. The two adjustments largely offset each other, maintaining balance in the current budget. However, the forecast points to challenges ahead, including slower personal income growth, limited employment growth, and weaker-than-expected collections from sales, use, and business taxes.

The updated outlook also relies in part on one-time revenue sources, including higher-than-expected capital gains collections. Looking ahead, projected revenue for the 2027–29 biennium provides only limited capacity before expected spending exceeds available funds, raising questions about future budget decisions.

The forecast has renewed discussion among policymakers and business leaders about state spending priorities. Former Democratic Governors Christine Gregoire and Gary Locke recently raised concerns about the pace of budget growth and the need for greater fiscal discipline. Gregoire noted that the state budget has grown substantially since she left office, while Locke emphasized the importance of setting priorities and ensuring ongoing programs have sustainable funding sources.

State leaders have said recent tax increases were necessary to address long-term budget needs. However, the latest projections indicate that lawmakers will likely face difficult choices in future budget cycles, including evaluating spending commitments, revenue sources, and the sustainability of current programs.

Read the article here

Clearing the Air: Wildfire Smoke Safety

Published in the Economic and Business Resilience Newsletter

For small business owners, smoky conditions raise real concerns, not just for your own health, but for your employees and customers too.

Know Before You Breathe: Monitoring Air Quality

The first step is knowing the air quality in your area. Multiple free resources are available year-round.

Washington Smoke Blog - This is the one-stop shop during wildfire season.
Washington Air Quality Map - Year-round current and forecasted air quality information.
AirNow Mobile App - For checking conditions while you're on the go.

Visit the following websites for additional resources:

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.

Workplace Rights Refresher:

Youth and Young Workers

With summer break upon us, teens and young adults are taking on their first jobs and entering the workforce. I thought this would be a good time to discuss youth workers and share some stats from Young Worker Safety: By the Numbers.

For starters, employees ages 15-24 are a whopping 2.3-times more likely to be injured on the job than those who are 25 and older. Additionally, at 49%, sprains and strains are the most common type of injury this demographic receives. Sprains and strains are both a frequent and costly type of workplace injury, so consider scheduling a no-cost and confidential ergonomics consultation with L&I.

So, what are some things we can do to help young workers stay safe?

Know and comply with rules for workers under 18 such as:
How to hire minors
Prohibited duties
Wages, rest breaks, and meal periods
Provide clear instructions and encourage young workers to ask questions or speak up if something seems unsafe.
Check out L&I’s collection of training materials and resources.
Consider labeling equipment that’s not for use by minors with a free warning label.
As all employers should, regularly update your written, active Accident Prevention Program and be sure to communicate it with your employees.

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

The Secret to Long-Term Corporate

Partnerships Starts Before Renewal

Published by NonprofitPro, July 23, 2026

Photo: VioletaStoimenova/Getty Images

Long-term corporate partnerships aren’t sustained by shared passion alone. They thrive when nonprofits consistently help their corporate partners demonstrate impact, engage stakeholders and achieve the goals that matter to their organizations.

Every corporate partnership has someone on the other side advocating for your nonprofit. That person is responsible for showing leadership how their charitable investments are making a difference, engaging employees in meaningful ways and explaining why your organization should remain part of the company’s ongoing community investment strategy.

When nonprofits understand that reality, partnership retention stops being about asking for the next gift. Instead, it becomes about helping your partners succeed.

That’s an important shift, especially as corporate philanthropy continues to evolve and grow. In 2025, corporate giving accounted for 7% of total giving, a 3.1% jump compared to 2024, according to Giving USA’s 2026 report. Today, companies increasingly expect the same visibility, responsiveness and transparency from charitable partnerships that they experience in other business relationships. They want to understand where funds are going, how they’re being used and their impact. They also want nonprofit partners who make reporting, storytelling and employee engagement easier, not harder.

The nonprofits that recognize these changing expectations are better positioned to build relationships that continue well beyond a single grant cycle.

Read the article here

Greater Kitsap News

Suquamish Hosting Two-Day Stopover

on Tribal Canoe Journey

Published in the Kitsap Sun, July 25, 2026

Photo: Meegan M. Reid/Kitsap Sun

Thousands of native and indigenous peoples are expected to come ashore Suquamish on Monday in a globally-participated voyage honoring the same paths traveled by their ancestors.

The Suquamish Tribe is preparing to welcome up to 100 canoes July 27, carrying an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 visitors as one of the final stops in the 2026 Tribal Canoe Journey through the Pacific Northwest. According to a statement made by the tribe, canoes will start landing on Monday afternoon at the Charles Lawrence Memorial Boat Ramp and participants will take a rest day in Suquamish before departing the following Wednesday, July 29.

The two-day stay is one of the longest in this year's journey, an annual event where participating tribal canoe families launch from their respective communities and all meet at the home of a regional tribe by paddling the same Salish Sea waters traveled by their ancestors. Along the way, several Northwest indigenous nations across the region alternate hosting the tribes along their route, which culminates in a multi-day gathering at the home of the selected host nation.

Read the article here