Tuesday, September 13, 2022 |
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RESERVE YOUR SEAT: September Luncheon
Wednesday, September 28, 2022, 11:30 am
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RECAP: Admire Medical Aesthetics
Grand Re-Opening & Ribbon Tying
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Owner of Admire Medical Aesthetics, Karen Markovich, and team, along with County Commissioner Ed Wolfe, Greater Kitsap Chamber Board of Director, Amanda Smith (The Kitsap Life), and Chamber President/CEO, David Emmons. |
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Photo Credit: Debbie Gilman Photography |
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NEW EVENT: GKC After-Hours
Tuesday, September 20, 2022, 5:30 pm
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Please join us as we launch the Greater Kitsap Chamber Business After-Hours on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at the Kitsap Golf & Country Club. Admission is free for all members of the Greater Kitsap business community. Ten local businesses serve as host for each of these quarterly networking nights - reserve your business spot now by contacting the Chamber!
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Heroes Golf Tournament
Friday, September 30, 2022
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Thank you to our sponsors - join them today! |
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Registration is still open for foursomes - lace up those golf shoes and dust off your clubs for a fun day out on the course! Can't make it for a day of golf? Support this event through sponsorship and make sure everyone on the course leaves the day with your business top of mind.
Contact the Chamber to secure your sponsorship today!
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Save-the-Date: Eggs & Issues
General Election Forums
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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!
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Member of the Month: Kitsap Bank
Here for Your Family Now and In the Future
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Kitsap Bank is a proudly independent, multi-generational family-owned bank. Founded in the small community of Port Orchard in 1908, we have expanded our presence throughout the Pacific Northwest and continue to grow by remaining connected to our deep local roots.
We are committed to our communities; contributing to crucial causes, and investing in the sustainability of our region.
Kitsap Bank is built around long-term relationships with our co-workers, customers, and communities.
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Silverdale Branch
10488 Silverdale Way NW
Silverdale, WA 98383
(360) 698-9325
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Commercial Banking Ctr
607 Pacific Ave
Bremerton, WA 98337
(360) 895-5810
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East Bremerton Branch
3425 Wheaton Way
Bremerton, WA 98310
(360) 876-7825
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Fieldstone Silverdale Open House & Ribbon Tying
Friday, September 23, 2022, 4:00 pm
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Leadership Kitsap Welcomes Class of 2023 |
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Jenifer Andersen
Anna Aruiza
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at Kitsap County
Jayne Barton
Office Manager at Olympic College Foundation
Pete Boissoneau
Financial Manager of Investments at Kitsap County
Michael Carson
Assistant Call Center Supervisor at United Way 211
Kim Cizek Allen
Development & Mktg Director at Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center
Brittany Corona
Hailey Crow
Branden Davis
Martha Evenmoe
Joshua Goss
Jason Hedstrom
Roxanne Hockett
Tiffany Hye
Community and Operation Outreach at Catalyst Public Schools
Anthony Ives
Vanna Lombardi-Gilles
Jeremiah Marchand
Kelly McKinley
Alexandra McLaughlin
Cammy Mills
Ed & Outreach Coord at Kitsap County Public Works Stormwater Division
Ronnie Oswald
Melynda Phelps
Jessica Reicks
People/HR Leader at Watson Furniture Group
Roniqua Smith
Operation Director at YWCA
Jill Stanton
KristiAnn Stecker
Amanda Tjemsland
Misty Tobin
Peter Tunis
Susan Van Ort
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Kitsap Bank Shred Events
Saturday, September 17th @ Silverdale Branch
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Need to get rid of sensitive information? Bring your outdated documents for safe destruction and disposal, and help our local food banks at the same time!
Kitsap Bank is pleased to partner with local food banks around the region to host Shred events on Saturdays throughout the months of September and October.
Join us at our Silverdale Branch this Saturday on September 17th from 9 am to Noon where all donations will benefit Central Kitsap Food Bank and later this month at our East Bremerton Branch on October 1st from 9am to Noon where all donations will benefit Bremerton Foodline.
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City of Bremerton Broadband Cable TV Survey
City Requests Feedback from Businesses & Residents
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Do you have news you'd like to share about your business or organization?
We'd love to share! Please send information to Irene at the Chamber!
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Cloverleaf Sports Bar & Grill |
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The Cloverleaf Sports Bar & Grill celebrated 20 years with the Chamber in 2022 and we are grateful for their long-time support of local business in Kitsap County. Of particular importance to the Chamber, the Cloverleaf has played host to our annual Eggs & Issues Candidate Forums for both the primary and general elections. These popular election-time forums provide the Greater Kitsap community with easy access to those on the ballot, along with the option of a delicious breakfast.
The Cloverleaf Sports Bar & Grill is one of Bremerton's favorite hideaways and place to watch your sporting events. Situated on Hollis Street and Wheaton Way, Cloverleaf is a fine way to catch up with friends and family over a sporting event or to simply enjoy our food.
The restaurant is always alive with folks winding down their day or week. When you come to our restaurant, it will sure to remind you of sports, with its local sporting memorabilia and state team paraphernalia.
So come on in... Every day, we strive to provide you with friendly service and the best experience in the Bremerton area.
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1240 Hollis Street | Bremerton, WA 98310 | (360) 377-8516 |
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Member Education & Training Resources |
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REPLAY: Back to School - Teen Labor |
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Courtesy of Washington Hospitality Association
This month, Washington Hospitality Association President & CEO Anthony Anton dives into the topic of Teen Labor--how tapping into this demographic can help with your labor shortage and what you need to know before you start hiring.
First up, Anthony talks with Reed Simock, youth employment specialist with Labor & Industries. Later, Superintendent Chris Reykdal from the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction joins Anthony to discuss why employment is good for teens.
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Strategies to Identify and Reach
Your Target Customers
Wednesday, September 14, 2022, 9:00 am
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In this Marketing workshop, we start by helping you identify your target market. These are your best potential customers and knowing them helps you create a better product or service. It also makes all your promotional efforts more focused and effective.
We show you how to finalize the design of your product or service and make sure it’s right for your target market. Then we take you through how to create a value proposition that perfectly captures the unique value your product or service brings to your customers. Next you have to build your marketing message. That’s the information for your brochures, websites, and anything else you use to sell your product or service. We will also review a number of promotional methods and help you draft a promotional plan for your business.
This workshop focuses on hands-on exercises to help you create a target market, value proposition and promotion plan for your business.
Workshop Fee: $40
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Business News & Resources |
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Economic Indicators Clash
on Pending Recession
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Courtesy of the Washington Retail Association
The National Bureau of Economic Research defines a traditional recession as “a significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and that lasts more than a few months.” The committee looks at the three criteria—depth, diffusion, and duration—which must be met individually to some extent. Extreme conditions in one measure can partially offset weaker indications from another.
According to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, gross domestic product dropped by 1.6 percent year over year in the first quarter of 2022 and another 0.6 percent in the second quarter, according to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis. Two consecutive quarterly declines in GDP would typically define a recession. That said, gross domestic income grew 1.8 percent in the first quarter and 1.4 percent in the second quarter, which puts a confident announcement that our economy is in a recession to be a precarious statement.
“All eyes remain on the consumer, and what is happening in retail is very important,” National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said last week. “While consumers have become more cautious and cooled their spending in the first half of 2022, households continue to spend and are contending with inflation by using credit cards more, saving less, and drawing on savings built up during the pandemic. Consumer stamina will be the big question going forward.”
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Cybersecurity Compliance is Coming
for Small Businesses
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Courtesy of Help Desk Cavalry
From time to time, businesses of all sizes face an unstoppable force of change. Sometimes, this force comes suddenly like an earthquake and reshapes the entire business landscape—just like the COVID-19 pandemic did in 2020. More commonly, however, the force begins as a small ripple and gradually grows into a tsunami.
One such tsunami is currently on the horizon in the form of cybersecurity compliance regulations, and no business that has integrated digital technology into it’s operation will be able to escape it. And by “integrated digital technology”, we mean any company that uses any combination of computers, mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, digital cameras, social media platforms and networks, software applications, the Internet, etc to run their business.
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Current State of the U.S. Workforce |
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From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Right now, there are too many jobs without people to fill them. As a result, businesses can’t grow, compete, and thrive. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's America Works initiative is mobilizing business and government to swiftly address the crisis.
Did you know? 315,000 jobs were added to the economy in August. Expectations were between 285,000 and 350,000.
However: The biggest issue in the job market continues to be too few workers in the labor force. While the population and the economy have grown over the past two and a half years, the labor participation rate is still below its pre-pandemic level.
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Get quick facts: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce America Works Data Center captures the trends on job openings, labor force participation, quit rates, and more, for a quick understanding of the state of the workforce. Take a look behind the numbers at what is causing the worker shortage and learn which states and industries have been impacted the most.
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Washington Bizfair
Saturday, September 24, 2022, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
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The 26th Washington State BizFair is FREE with hybrid and in-person options.
Hosted by SCORE, the event:
- Features speakers that have successfully blazed the small business path
- Connects you with mentors, advisors and trainers
- Creates connections to business experts and federal, state, and local government agencies for assistance and contract opportunities
- Supports meetings with nonprofits that can guide you to funding, legal support, and more
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Greater Kitsap Chamber to Sponsor
KEDA 2022 Fall Forum
Level Up The Future of Kitsap's Economy
Thursday, October 20, 2022, 1:00 pm
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In the 2021 legislative session, House Bill 1170, sponsored by Representative Matt Boehnke, unanimously passed the legislature. This bill provides a state goal to double the state's manufacturing employment base, the number of small manufacturing businesses, and the number of women- and minority-owned manufacturing businesses in 10 years. Boosting a diverse workforce is important to the overall success of this industry. Diverse employees present an incredible opportunity for manufacturers to tap into an essential pool of quality talent, innovation, and perspective. A diverse team makes an organization more resourceful and innovative, boosts revenue, and ultimately makes them more competitive in the marketplace.
As the state chamber of commerce, manufacturing association, and the National Association of Manufacturers state affiliate, AWB is uniquely positioned to address this doubling of manufacturing effort through policy, developing solutions for supply chain issues, workforce gaps, upskilling, access to capital, and many other issues that the industry faces.
If you are a woman or a person of color, we want to hear from you about what you need to start or grow your manufacturing business.
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Kitsap County Leaders Talk
Homeless Camps, Response
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Published in the Kitsap Sun, September 8, 2022
The second floor of the new Silverdale Library was packed Wednesday evening with Kitsap residents who told county officials they are concerned about homelessness.
In a monthly meeting hosted by Central Kitsap Community Council, county officials provided an update about their process of cleaning out encampments in county limits and answered questions from council members and the public.
Over 110 people joined the meeting, which county commissioner Ed Wolfe said is the first community conversation to discuss encampments and homelessness.
"It's not a perfect world," Wolfe said. "And we're here tonight to just start ... continue the community conversation and let you know what we're doing in the county."
Photo: Kitsap County Sheriff's Office deputies check a tent at a sweep of a long-running encampment at Veterans Memorial Park in Port Orchard in April. MEEGAN M. REID/KITSAP SUN
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Comprehensive Plan Update
Public Invited to Join Virtual Meetings
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As part of early public outreach, Kitsap County will hold a series of virtual public meetings this fall to discuss the upcoming update to the Comprehensive Plan. These meetings cover a number of key topics including land use, economic development, housing, environmental and climate change, the Silverdale Regional Center, transportation and capital facilities.
Each meeting begins at 6 p.m. on the following dates:
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Tuesday, Sept. 13 – Land Use and Economic Development
- Tuesday, Sept. 27 – Housing
- Tuesday, Oct. 11 – Environmental and Climate Change
- Wednesday, Oct. 19 – Silverdale Regional Center
- Tuesday, Oct. 25 – Transportation and Capital Facilities
Go to the project website at kcowa.us/compplan for more information and links to join these virtual meetings.
Each meeting will include a presentation and then attendees can choose to join interactive break-out groups to share their thoughts on issues and opportunities in Kitsap related to the topic of the evening. These may be shared verbally, through facilitated discussion or written in the chat option of the Zoom meeting.
The Comprehensive Plan helps guide County decision making in addressing population and job growth, environmental protection and infrastructure investments through 2044. This includes the potential for new development, what it may look like and how it impacts our communities.
For more information about the update, please visit the project website at kcowa.us/compplan. This site is updated regularly with upcoming public meetings, interactive surveys, policy questions, story maps on planning concepts, draft documents and other informational materials.
If you have any specific questions, please send them to compplan@kitsap.gov or call Kitsap1 at (360) 337-5777 and ask for Planning and Environmental Programs.
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Kitsap Community Needs Assessment Survey
Survey Open Until September 30, 2022
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COVID-19 Updates & Resources |
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Updated COVID-19 Boosters Now Available
Appointments May Be Limited
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Updated Moderna and Pfizer booster vaccines have been authorized and recommended by the FDA, CDC, and state Department of Health. These new "bivalent" boosters provide better protection against Omicron COVID-19 variants.
- Shipments of the updated boosters arrived in Kitsap last week. Kitsap Public Health will be distributing orders to local providers. Booster appointments may be limited this week and demand is high. Please be patient as you look for an appointment.
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Go to vaccinatewa.org, contact your healthcare provider, or check with local pharmacies regarding booster availability.
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Masks & COVID Testing Kits Available
Free at the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center
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The Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management is providing free KN95 masks and COVID testing kits to local businesses. Pick up your supply at the Greater Kitsap Chamber's Silverdale office today. |
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COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing Resources |
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Kitsap County Health District is now posting a regularly updated list of COVID-19 vaccine providers in Kitsap County. This list can be found here.
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National Preparedness Month
Getting Your Community Engaged in Preparedness
Wednesday, September 14, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Fire Dangers Remain High
Local Officials Plea for Extreme Caution
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Bremerton Districts 2 & 3 Community Meeting
Thursday, September 15, 2022, 5:30 pm
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Join Bremerton City Council Members Denise Frey and Jeff Coughlin as they facilitate a discussion focused on Public Works projects in Districts 2 & 3. The event will be held at the Sheridan Park Community Center.
Public Works staff will present on the Safe Routes to School project (View Ridge Elementary) and the E. 11th & Perry project. Councilmembers and staff will be available for questions and dialogue all evening.
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GK Chamber Members Participate in
Annual Live Well Kitsap Event
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Day Trip from Central Kitsap: Poulsbrew
Saturday, September 17, 2022, 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
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Admiral Theatre Presents:
The Concert - A Tribute to ABBA
Thursday, September 22, 2022, 7:30 pm
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Port Gamble Theater: The Tempest
September 23 - October 9, 2022
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A ship is caught in a powerful storm. There is terror and confusion on board, and the ship is shipwrecked. The storm is a magical creation carried out by spirit Ariel, and caused by the magic of Prospero. Laughter and magic is on the menu in this Shakespearean classic!
Friday & Saturday - 7:00 pm
Sundays - 2:00 pm
Saturday Matinee on Oct. 1st - 2:00 pm
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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 Tuesday's Community Connections!
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David Emmons
President/CEO
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Irene Moyer
VP, Membership & Strategic Communications
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Joe Barboza
Operations Manager
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Brenda Kelley
Tourism 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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