Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Important News for You
Carlisle Pop-Up Ferry Finds its Riders
Historic ferry linked Silverdale and Bremerton for the weekend
Bottom left pictured: David Emmons, President/CEO, Greater Kitsap Chamber; Katie Walters, Kitsap County Commissioner; Christine Rolfes, Kitsap County Commissioner; Michael Goodnow, City Councilmember, City of Bremerton; and Felix Garza.
For the first time in nearly a century, the Carlisle II ferried passengers from Silverdale to Bremerton this past weekend as a group of forward-thinking Kitsap business leaders partnered with the Greater Kitsap Chamber to host a pop-up ferry event. The result - nearly 2,500 people ferried between the two cities over three days, some to enjoy Bremerton's Annual Blackberry Festival, others simply wanting to journey on this historic ship to view Kitsap from a new lens and new location.

Stay tuned for future pop-up ferry opportunities throughout Kitsap County and follow Friends of the Carlisle II on Facebook for more information or to share your ferry stories.
Bottom right pictured: Rhonda Brown, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health; Katie Walters, Kitsap County Commissioner; Greg Wheeler, Mayor, City of Bremerton; Steve Sego, Waterman Mitigation Partners; Caleb Reese, Port of Silverdale Commissioner; and John Clauson, Executive Director, Kitsap Transit.
Survey: Carlisle Pop-Up Ferry
We'd love to hear your feedback on the Carlisle Pop-Up Ferry event, whether you were able to enjoy a ride this weekend, or if you just heard about it. Please complete this short survey to be entered into a drawing to win $500 (winner will be notified by email).
Chamber News
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Open House & Re-Launch Party @
The Spot - a Vibe Space
Thursday, September 14, 2023, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Bremerton GreenDrinks @ Marina Square
Thursday, September 14, 2023, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
September Chamber Luncheon
Wednesday, September 27, 2023, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Heroes Golf Tournament
Friday, September 29, 2023
It's time to start rounding up your golf foursomes - the Heroes Golf Tournament returns on September 29th! Enjoy a day on the links at Gold Mountain Golf Club, try your luck at winning our "Wheelbarrow of Booze," connect with the Greater Kitsap Business community and more!
RECAP: Daisy Mae Consignment Event
Congratulations again to Lora Boyd and her team at Daisy Mae Consignment on their grand opening and ribbon cutting last week! If you haven't checked out this little gem in Bremerton across from the Perry Avenue Mall, you're missing out!
Visit them today at 2135 Sheridan Road.
Get the Most Out of Your Member Benefits
Renew your membership today to ensure your place as a Charter Member of the Greater Kitsap Chamber! Questions about when to renew or how to upgrade your membership? Contact Irene 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!
New & Renewing Members for August
Thank you for your continued investment & support!
Friends of the Carlisle II: Waterman Mitigation
Maintaining environmental balance & providing solutions for the future
This month we are honoring a group of businesses and their leaders who made up the coalition that brought the pop-up ferry to Silverdale over the Labor Day weekend. Each week we will highlight a new leader and their Kitsap-based business.

Leading the charge on bringing the Carlisle II pop-up ferry event to the greater Kitsap community was Kitsap-native, Steve Sego, President and Founder of Waterman Mitigation Partners in Port Orchard. After assembling a team of community and business leaders, Sego set forth on the task of creating a pop-up ferry event during Bremerton's Blackberry Festival, shuttling people from Old Town Silverdale to the Bremerton Marina. Juggling tasks that included finding donors to support the project, coordinating sailing logistics and parking plans in Silverdale, working with the Port of Silverdale and Kitsap Transit on ferry details and much more, Steve expertly executed this unique event for residents to enjoy.

Sego's Waterman Mitigation Partners and its associates are wetland mitigation professionals from the fields of environmental science, wetland biology, land surveying, ecology, environmental restoration and preservation, construction and landscaping services. Waterman Mitigation Partners has developed a high level of trust and success with Washington State/SE Alaska permitting agencies and IRT members, including US Army Corps of Engineers (Juneau, Kenai, Sitka, Anchorage, Vancouver and Seattle district offices), USFWS, EPA, NMFS, WA and AK Fish and Game, US Forest Service, and municipalities/entities as relevant to local projects. Their clients have included mining companies, corporations, port districts, not for profit associations and municipalities.
100 Bethel Road | Port Orchard, WA 98366 | 360.271.4028
Kitsap Humane Society Needs Help Finding Homes for Dogs During Renovations
Construction is currently underway on a number of new projects at Kitsap Humane Society (KHS), including a new low-cost veterinary clinic, a livestock holding barn, and renovation of its Admissions building. While they’ve been able to distance the animals in their charge from much of the construction noise, the Admissions renovation will greatly affect the canine holding space, with the noise potentially causing fear and anxiety in the resident dogs. For that reason, KHS is asking for the community’s help in rehoming some of the larger dogs, between September 1 and 17. The public can help in the following ways:

Adopting a dog – In order to make way for construction and protect resident dogs from the stress that all the noise will cause, KHS is waiving all adoption fees for adult dogs over 40 lbs. from Sept 1 to 17. You can view adoptable dogs at www.kitsap-humane.org/adopt/available-pets.

Fostering a dog – Whether it’s long-term, short-term, or just for a day-trip, it’s a rewarding way to show your support of KHS and provide a temporary home while construction is underway. Visit www.kitsap-humane.org/get-involved/foster-care to learn more about fostering.

Sponsoring an adoption – If you don’t have the room for another pet, or are allergic, or simply can’t adopt or foster right now, you can still help by donating and offsetting KHS’s budget losses due to the waiver of fees during this time. You can donate by visiting www.kitsap-humane.org/donate.
Member Spotlight
Growing Greater Businesses Grant Spotlight:
Kitsap History Museum
Preserving our past, inspiring our future
Step into the Kitsap History Museum in Bremerton, where history comes to life and the voices of all are celebrated. For over 75 years, this community-driven haven has preserved the rich heritage of Kitsap County through its extensive collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents. From exhibits that shed light on overlooked narratives, such as the impactful Roosevelt Smith collection of Black Americana, to fostering collaborations with neighboring businesses, the museum serves as a bridge between generations and fosters a sense of unity. By supporting the museum through attending events, becoming a member, and spreading the word, we can ensure its continued growth and accessibility for future generations. Read more about this somewhat-hidden Kitsap treasure on our blog.

Let's embrace our shared heritage, learn from the lessons of history, and work towards a more inclusive and compassionate future. Visit https://kitsapmuseum.org/. 
280 Fourth Street | Bremerton, WA 98337 | 360.479.6226
Education Committee
Member Education & Training Resources
Cybersecurity Made Simple:
Must-Know Terms for Business Owners
Courtesy of Help Desk Cavalry
Published August, 29, 2023

As a business owner, you know that cybersecurity is crucial for protecting your sensitive data and keeping your business safe from cyber threats. But with all the technical jargon, it can be overwhelming to understand the ins and outs of cybersecurity. Confidently navigate the world of cybersecurity and keep your business secure with this break down some common cybersecurity terms.
Project & Change Management:
A Toolkit for Nonprofit Results
Thursday, September 7, 2023, 11:00 am
Managing projects while navigating change is difficult, but essential for nonprofit success. Join us for a free live event introducing effective project and change management approaches for nonprofits.

Join us for this one-hour live event to learn how to integrate project and change management frameworks to drive key initiatives like technology upgrades, website redesigns, MFA implementation, or system transitions. This live event will provide you with resources to seamlessly manage projects while navigating uncertainty and change.

Walk away with a strategic toolkit to help your nonprofit execute goals while navigating uncertainty. The live event will provide capabilities to successfully lead both project and change initiatives.

This live event will take place on September 7, 2023, 11am PST. We will cover:

  • Understanding the “job to be done”
  • Using benefit and complexity to prioritize projects
  • Project management principles for nonprofits
  • Why is change so hard?
Boards in Gear Webinar
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
You joined a nonprofit board because you care about the organization’s mission. You want your contributions as a board member to positively affect the issues addressed by the organization. As a board, you want your nonprofit to thrive and make a difference in the communities served by your organization. Whether your nonprofit is just starting or is long established, getting your board in gear can help put your organization on a clear path forward. This interactive, virtual workshop is based on the Boards in Gear resources developed in partnership with some of our state’s leading board experts. You will leave with concrete action steps, tools, and connections.
Coming Soon: WA Biz Fair 2023
Saturday, September 23, 2023, 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Biz Fair is a free, annual event for current and aspiring small business owners to learn about the programs, resources, and technical assistance available to help start and grow a small business. Biz Fair is the longest running all government and non-profit-run small business fair in Washington State.

  • Saturday, September 23, 2023
  • Location: Pierce College Puyallup campus (8:30 AM - 1:00 PM)
Save-the-Date: BIPOC Business Forum
October 25, 2023, 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Business News & Resources
Small-Business Grants to Apply for Now
Updated September 5, 2023

$10,000 grants for mom entrepreneurs sponsored by Lowe's
The High Five Grantor Moms, sponsored in part by home improvement giant Lowe's, offers a $10,000 grant, one $5,000 grant, one $2,500 grant and five $1,000 grants, along with mentoring, shopping credits and more to mothers who want to grow their business.
The grant applies to any mother from any business, with women caregivers of all ages eligible to apply. The business must have had revenue in the last 12 months and the mom must own at least 50% of the business.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 30.


$10,000 DoorDash disaster relief grants
Restaurants across the country hit hard by a natural disaster can apply for $10,000 grants, courtesy of DoorDash.

The Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund, a partnership between DoorDash, financing platform Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship network, will provide a total of 100 grants across 2023 to restaurants in state or federally declared natural disasters.
 
To be eligible, restaurants must also have a brick and mortar location, fewer than 50 employees per location, be open at least six months and have less than $3 million in revenue per location.

Applications are due by Sept. 29. Applications for a previous round were due June 30. 

NAACP offers grants for $5,000 in certifications
This grant, a partnership between the NAACP and pool and spa company Leslie’s, is aimed at entrepreneurs who need to get vital business certifications, such as minority business enterprise, women business enterprise and disability-owned enterprise among others. 

This program will go to 17 minority entrepreneurs, women or people with disabilities across five states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas. The money can be used for the costs related to the completion of state and federal certification applications and the related legal and consulting fees. The money cannot be used for debt consolidation, marketing, payroll or fixed assets. 

Businesses need to be 51% owned and operate in the consulting or food services industry. Business owners can find out more information and how to apply here.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 8, 2023.

The “Fresh Start” $2,500 grant by Incfile
The Fresh Start Business Grant by small business launch platform Incfile, awards a $2,500 grant to put toward startup costs, alongside a free Incfile “gold plan” package of incorporation and registered agent services for a year.

Winners must be 21 years or older, a U.S. resident and must be planning on starting a new business or grow an existing business.

Those entering will be asked to submit a sample business plan and a short video. Those interested can complete the application here — and its due September 30.

Federal grant and loan options for small businesses
In addition to those options, there are several federal grants and loans from the federal government targeting small businesses.

The America's Seed Fund program from the National Science Foundation, open to early-stage companies that need to prove their technology and find their market potential, has made about 3,400 awards to startups and small businesses since 2012, with 153 exits by those companies and $9.1 billion in private investment.

The grant program gives out roughly $200 million per year to eligible businesses. Click here to learn more.

For small-business owners looking for potential tax credits, here are 10 that every owner should know about. But perhaps the most lucrative is the Employee Retention Credit, which can be a game-changer for many business owners. However, there are a number of pitfalls and red flags to navigate that business owners should know about that. But business owners might want to act soon, as the IRS has said it would push to end the credit early.

For those looking for government-backed loans, the USDA Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program, part of an umbrella loan program offered by the USDA under its OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative, offers loan guarantees of up to 80% on everything from purchasing a building, modernizing equipment, working capital or acquiring a company.
Business Quick-Reads
Quick and interesting reads for employers, employees,
local leaders, and everyone in between!
Nonprofit News & Resources
The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to be one of only five Chambers statewide selected to partner with the Nonprofit Association of Washington (NAWA) to bring education and resources to nonprofits in Western Washington. Stay tuned to this section of our weekly newsletter for education, resources and more for our nonprofit community.
To learn more about NAWA, please visit their website here.
2023 Nonprofit Workforce Survey Results
Courtesy of NAWA

In April 2023, the networks of the National Council of Nonprofits conducted a nationwide survey to secure the latest, comprehensive information about the nonprofit workforce.
When nonprofits cannot hire enough employees to provide vital services, the public suffers. Data from this survey and others show that along with increased demands for services, there are longer waiting lists, reduced services, and sometimes elimination of services. When any of those happen, the ripple effects cannot be ignored: communities lose access to food, shelter, mental health care, and other vital services on which people depend.

The following report analyzes the more than 1,600 responses collected from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It also references data from reports by state associations of nonprofits and others to present the most current information on the challenges nonprofits face.

This report describes the continuing shortage of workers and resulting impact to our communities: service cuts, longer wait lists for services, and stress and burnout for remaining employees. It also contains recommendations for individual organizations and policy solutions to improve our situation.
Greater Kitsap News
Central Kitsap Community Meeting
Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 5:00 pm
Join the Central Kitsap Community Council from 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6 at its new meeting location in the Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue Headquarters and Silverdale Water District building, 5300 NW Newberry Hill Road, Silverdale. Everyone is welcome and there are opportunities for public comment.

The council will hear from Stella Vakarcs, Sewer Utility Manager of Kitsap County Public Works, on proposed sewer rate increases for 2024 and 2025. Washington state law requires sewer rates to be set to produce revenue sufficient to cover the costs of maintenance and operations, bond obligations, loan repayment, and other expenses necessary to properly run all five of the county’s sewer systems. County Commissioners plan a public hearing Oct. 23 on the proposed sewer rate schedule.

There will be an update on the project to increase sewage capacity and upgrade Pump Station 4 at the corner of Fredrickson Road NW and Bucklin Hill Road NW in Silverdale. This includes replacement of gravity piping along portions of Fredrickson and Bucklin Hill roads and NW Carlton Street, NW Lowell Street and McConnell Avenue NW. Construction is anticipated to begin this month.

The Central Kitsap council meeting also features a presentation from Alex McCracken, Medical Officer with Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue. He will share details about Community Assistance, Referrals, and Education Services (CARES), an innovative program reaching out to residents in their homes to help identify their needs and connect them to care and community resources rather than waiting until emergency situations arise requiring utilization of 911. CFK&R Chief Jay Christian will also give a station update.

Stay informed and engaged! Learn more about the Central Kitsap Community Council and view the meeting agenda at kcowa.us/CKCC.
BI Ferry Terminal Closure Begins this Week
September 7-13 Vehicle Closure on Seattle/Bainbridge Route
Since April, we've shared news of the September closure of vehicle service on our Seattle/Bainbridge route to allow crews to set the bridge spans in place for the new pedestrian walkway. Over six days, cranes will lower four large bridge spans, totaling 338 feet in length, onto their footings (shown in the above photo). This work will take over the entire holding area from the water to the toll booths. As a result, there will be no service for vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters from 1 a.m. Sept. 7 until 3 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13. We will resume vehicle service earlier if work wraps up sooner. 
We will accommodate emergency medical vehicles, in coordination with local emergency services. As mentioned above, ferry service will operate on a one-boat sailing schedule. We will use the existing walkway to load only walk-on and ADA passengers. Staff will be on hand to assist with the additional passenger foot traffic. 

As crewing and vessel availability allows, we will provide partial daily additional service on our Edmonds/Kingston route during the September closure to vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles on our Seattle/Bainbridge run. 

Because we’re operating our Seattle/Bainbridge route on a one-boat sailing schedule during that time, the second boat is available to provide unscheduled service as a third boat on our Edmonds/Kingston run. It will operate around the current two-boat schedule there to handle additional vehicle traffic traveling to or from Bainbridge Island and the Kitsap Peninsula.  

For answers to questions about this closure, we have posted FAQs along with a construction graphic on the project website.
Community Information
Bikes for All
September 9, 2023, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Silverdale GreenDrinks
Wednesday, September 13, 2023, 5:24 pm
Health & Wellness Resource Fair
September 20 & 21, 2023
Old Town Fall Market
Friday, September 22, 2023, 4:00 - 8:00 pm
Cars on Callow
Saturday, September 23, 2023, 12:00 - 4:00 pm
Masks & COVID Testing Kits 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 or COVID testing kits. Pick up your supply at both GKC locations today. Available while supplies last.
Tourism Information
Admiral Theatre Presents: Chris Janson
Friday, September 15, 2023, 8:00 pm
Chris Janson, proud member of the Grand Ole Opry and multi-platinum songwriter and artist, is part of country’s new breed. In touch with the lighter side of life with self-penned No. 1s “Fix A Drink,” “Good Vibes,” and the triple platinum “Buy Me A Boat,” as well as the more thoughtful truths of “Done,” “Things You Can’t Live Without,” and the CMA Song of the Year nominee and ACM Video of the Year “Drunk Girl.” Both “Boat” and “Girl” were named to the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s prestigious “Songs I Wish I Wish I’d Written” list, which is why artists like Tim McGraw (“Truck Yeah,” “How I’ll Always Be”), Justin Moore (“Off The Beaten Path”), Cody Johnson (“Let’s Build A Fire”), and the iconic Hank Williams Jr. (“God Fearin’ Man,” “Those Days Are Gone”) reach for Janson’s songs for their own projects.

Beyond his artistry are his live shows, where all that heart-on-the-four-wheeler songwriting meets the fans where they come to rock. Rolling Stone proclaimed him “a live legacy in the making,” and Janson is a frequent presence at the nation’s biggest country festivals, tours, and unexpected sit-ins. For a man known for his outdoors lifestyle and collaborations with Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, making music from his own life has established the harmonica-forward multi-instrumentalist the go-to guy for young country for the last decade.
Poulsbrew Beer Fest
Saturday, September 16, 2023, 12:00 - 6:00 pm
Save-the-Date: Poulsbo Film Festival
October 13-15, 2023
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David Emmons
President/CEO
Irene Moyer
VP, Membership & Strategic Communications
Tiffany Diamond
Events Coordinator
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.