Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | | 2026 Business Needs & Support Survey | | |
As 2026 gets underway, the Greater Kitsap Chamber wants to ensure we are meeting the needs of our members and local business community. Over the next couple of months, we will be sharing a series of short surveys to gain a better understanding of where our members are at and where they need support.
Please take a minute to complete this quick, one-question survey, so we can better support you and your business.
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Sign Up to Participate in
Military Appreciation Day 2026
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This interactive event is designed to show appreciation to the men and women of our military: Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, including Retirees, and their families. Military Appreciation Day includes an information fair for new service members coming to our community in 2026. The general public is welcome!
Questions? Contact Mindy Rocha-Barella at parade@greaterkitsapchamber.com.
Please beware of scam emails regarding Military Appreciation Day and
contact the Chamber if you have any questions.
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Chamber: Off the Clock
Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 5:05pm
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February Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 11:00am
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Premium Ad Placements Are Filling Quickly!
Reserve your ad space now
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Premium ad spaces in the Chamber Map, including covers and feature placements, are filling quickly. Reserve your spot in both print and digital formats today before they're gone!
Contact Brandom Burton at brandon@communitymattersinc.com or 360-362-0929
View the media kit: https://springhillpress.net/greaterkitsap/
| Greater Kitsap Chamber & Leadership Kitsap: 2026 Kitsap Women's Summit | | |
The Kitsap Women's Summit planning committee is proud to present Kitsap Women's Summit 2026: Breakthrough. Join us for our 3rd annual summit where we're diving into topics meant to create and sustain momentum - breaking through limits, beliefs, transitions and noise. This day-long gathering is curated for women, by women, and was brought to life by the need for real space for conversation, community, connection, and personal and professional development, amplifying women's voices and experiences across Kitsap County.
Business Health Trust is proud to serve as our 2026 Visionary Sponsor. For more information on how you can join them in sponsoring this event, please visit our website at www.greaterkitsapchamber.com/kitsap-womens-summit.
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Save-the-Date: Armed Forces Day 2026 | GKC Team at the Annual W.A.C.E. Conference | |
Last week, the Greater Kitsap Chamber team traveled to Tucson for the annual Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) Conference. It was a great week of professional development, filled with new ideas and strategies to help us better serve and support our local business community.
A special congratulations to our President & CEO, Irene Moyer, on her graduation from the W.A.C.E. Academy!
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Accessible Healthcare with NICE
Business Health Trust Has You Covered
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Care that fits real life.
Benefit updates can be a blur in the new year. So start with the part that is easiest to use.
Nice Healthcare is one place to begin for primary care, mental health, and everyday needs.
For many common issues like colds, sinus, UTIs, rashes, or a quick checkup, employees can start with Nice instead of heading to urgent care first. Visits are designed to feel like real care, not a rushed stop. There’s also a Care Team chat thread, so follow-ups and questions stay in one place.
🔗 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.
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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 us 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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Help Us Build a Comprehensive
Pet-Friendly Map for Kitsap County!
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Is your business pet-friendly? Would you like more people to know it?
It’s no secret that Silverdale and Bremerton —and all of Kitsap County—loves its furry friends. Yet pet owners often have to piece together where their companions are welcome, whether they’re running errands or planning a getaway. We’re working to change that.
Leadership Kitsap, in partnership with the Kitsap Humane Society, Visit Kitsap, and our local Chambers, is creating a countywide map of pet-friendly parks, trails, businesses, and pet resources. This interactive resource will be featured on both the Visit Kitsap website and participating Chambers’ sites.
If your business welcomes animal companions, we’d love to include you.
Please take a moment to complete the short survey below to be part of this valuable community guide.
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The Local Business Game Plan
January - March, 2026
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LKPI: The Manager's Guide
Thursday, February 26, 2026, 9:00am
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Intro to Facilities Maintenance with Tessera
April - June, 2026, 2:00pm
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Changing Faces, Changing Places
Share your business news today
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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.
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber is pleased to recognize Fairfield Inn & Suites Bremerton as our February Member of the Month. Located in the heart of downtown Bremerton and part of the trusted Marriott brand, Fairfield Inn & Suites has become a welcoming hub for travelers, military families, and business professionals visiting our community. Since joining the Chamber, their team has demonstrated consistent engagement—attending luncheons, Off the Clock events, and Chamber programs that strengthen local partnerships.
Where Hospitality Meets Community
Fairfield Inn & Suites Bremerton has been a steadfast supporter of community and economic vitality. Their dedication extends beyond offering comfortable accommodations—they’ve been an active collaborator in efforts to highlight what makes Bremerton a unique and thriving destination. Notably, their partnership with the Chamber and Visit Kitsap Peninsula in the creation of a video advertisement showcased not only their professionalism but their genuine enthusiasm for elevating our region’s visibility.
A Partner You Can Count On
What sets Fairfield Inn & Suites apart is the reliability and warmth of their team. Over the years, they have consistently shown a willingness to support local initiatives, engage with other businesses, and contribute to the Chamber's mission of fostering a vibrant Kitsap economy. Their openness, responsiveness, and collaborative spirit make them a valued partner and a shining example of how businesses can uplift their community.
Whether hosting guests for leisure, business, or naval travel, Fairfield Inn & Suites Bremerton delivers comfort with a personal touch - while staying deeply connected to the place they serve. Visit their website to learn more about their amenities, hospitality, and commitment to Bremerton.
| | Business & Professional Development Committee | | Member Education & Training Resources | | |
SBDC: Setting Yourself Up to Make a Profit
Costing and Break-Even Analysis
Thursday, February 12, 2026, 1:00pm
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Often, we skip over our understanding of our own costs and go straight to pricing. But how can we begin to figure out how much to charge a customer until we know our costs?
In this webinar, we will dive into the development of financial projections with a focus on costing. We will review the characteristics of your costs, learn about the contribution margin approach, and how to calculate what your break-even sales are for your business.
By the end of this webinar, you will be able to apply your understanding of the cost structures for your own business and have the tools to begin to set goals for yourself.
The instructor, Ann Zimmerman, is a Washington SBDC Certified Business Advisor. She earned her BA in Accounting from Western Washington University and received her Master’s degree in Accounting and Tax from Washington State University. Ann has over thirty years of experience in business and has worked in various industries, including retail, construction services, manufacturing, healthcare, and not-for-profit.
Registration Fee: FREE
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SCORE: Legal Basics for Small Business
Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 8:00am
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This comprehensive SCORE webinar will give you the basics to help you comply with Federal, state and local laws, and minimize your legal risks in your daily transactions.
This webinar focuses on the following topics that are key in the life of a small business owner:
SCORE Kansas City has recruited a team of legal experts who will educate you as to how to minimize your legal risks!
Key Topics covered:
* Selecting and forming a legal entity for your business
* How to bring in co-owners
* Creating governing documents, LLC Operating Agreement or Corporation Shareholder’s Agreement
* Employer/Employee Law - Keeping on the right side of Employment Law?
* Employee vs. independent contractor issues
* Leasing property – pitfalls to avoid
* Insurance - Do you need it and what types of insurance should you consider?
* Doing business in other states
* Operating your business over the Internet
* Intellectual property: Patents, Trademarks, and Trade Names
Registration Fee: $10
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SCORE: Social Media Marketing Essentials
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 8:00am
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Social media can be overwhelming for business owners. Which platforms. How often to post. What to post. This class will give you the basics every business owner should know as well as the latest trends to grow your business.
This class will cover :
- How to create a content calendar to sync all your marketing efforts (Participants will receive a complimentary digital copy of a digital calendar-$27 value)
- How to choose which platforms make sense for your business
- The right days and times to post on each platform and how often to post
- What type of content to post for best engagement
- What is a social media influencer and why to use them
Registration Fee: $10.00
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CRP: Small Business Grant Opportunity
Deadline Friday, February 20, 2026
| | Business News & Resources | | |
Expansion of Advertising Taxes
in HB 2257 / SB 6113
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Published in the WA Retail Association, February 5, 2026
Photo Courtesy of WRA
A major policy concern has emerged in the Department of Revenue (DOR) request bill, HB 2257 / SB 6113. DOR has described the measure as a technical codification of last year’s digital-advertising guidance. However, Section 26 goes well beyond technical cleanup by significantly expanding Washington’s sales tax base to include advertising services that have historically been treated as non-taxable.
If enacted as written, Section 26 would make sales tax apply to a wide range of traditional advertising, including radio and broadcast television, newspapers and print inserts, billboards and transit advertising, business-name signage, in-store displays and point-of-sale materials, and sponsorship-style placements such as signage at live events and stadium naming rights. In other words, the reach is not limited to digital advertising; it would touch nearly every channel retailers and local businesses use to reach customers.
This expansion also intersects with ongoing litigation. Washington’s 2025 digital-advertising tax is being challenged in the Comcast lawsuit, which argues the tax violates the Internet Tax Freedom Act by taxing online activity while leaving comparable offline activity untaxed. Section 26 appears to preempt that argument by extending taxability across advertising generally, rather than allowing the digital-only tax to stand or fall on its own.
Finally, the bill codifies a new apportionment standard that bases taxability on the viewer’s location, not where the ad is placed or purchased, raising complex questions for signage and sponsorships viewed in Washington. Retailers, auto dealers, beer distributors, newspapers, broadcasters, and stadium operators have all flagged concerns about the breadth and impact of this proposal.
Read the article here
| | 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. | | |
Changes Affecting WA Workers' Pay
& Improving Workplace Safety
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State law requires the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) to calculate several wage standards, including the minimum wage, each year. The department makes the calculations using the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
State minimum wage going up
Washington’s minimum wage will rise to $17.13 an hour on Jan.1, 2026. That’s 2.8 percent higher than the $16.66 an hour minimum wage in 2025.
Employers may pay 85 percent of the minimum wage, or $14.56 an hour, to 14- and 15-year-old workers.
Local governments are allowed to set minimum wages that are higher than those of the state minimum. Areas with higher minimum wages include Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, Renton, Bellingham, Everett, Burien, and unincorporated King County.
The L&I website includes information about the minimum wage along with details about overtime, rest breaks, meal periods, and how to file a wage complaint. The minimum wage information is available in 15 languages online.
New tower crane safety requirements
Starting Jan. 1, prime contractors must obtain a permit and follow manufacturers’ instructions for the operation, assembly, disassembly, or reconfiguration of a tower crane. L&I will consider a prime contractor’s history of safety and health violations as part of the application process for a permit.
Information about the new crane tower requirements is on L&I’s website.
Overtime-exempt workers
Certain types of employees are considered exempt from rules requiring they be paid overtime if they are paid on a salary basis, perform work consistent with Executive, Administrative or Professional duties, and are paid at, or above, a certain salary that L&I calculates.
For 2026, all employers must pay overtime-exempt workers at least 2.25 times the minimum wage. That means to be exempt an employee must be paid at least $1,541.70 a week ($80,168.40 a year). The rate for exempt computer professionals who are paid by the hour will be 3.5 times the minimum wage, or $59.96 an hour.
Pay for rideshare drivers
The minimum pay rideshare drivers will earn goes up on Jan. 1:
- For trips within Seattle, it’s rising to 70 cents per passenger platform minute and $1.63 per passenger platform mile, or $6.12, whichever is greater.
- For trips outside of Seattle, it goes up to 40 cents per passenger platform minute and $1.38 per passenger platform mile, or $3.55, whichever is greater.
Non-compete clauses
L&I is also responsible for calculating the minimum annual salary required for a non-compete clause or employee contract to be enforceable. In 2026, the threshold for employees will be $126,858.83. For independent contractors, the minimum will be $317,147.09. A non-compete clause or employee contract for a worker earning less than these amounts is not enforceable.
Wage complaints
L&I enforces the state’s wage-and-hour laws and investigates all wage-payment complaints. A worker rights complaint can be filed online, downloaded and mailed to the agency, or at a local L&I office.
| | Nonprofit News & Resources | |
When Does Nonprofit Competition
Become Cannibalization?
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Published in NonprofitPRO, February 4, 2026
Photo: Getty Images/Johner Images
Nonprofits exist to meet specific, real needs in their communities. So, when multiple nonprofits pursue the same mission within the same region, it can create overlap and, in some cases, direct competition. This competition — especially when unacknowledged or unmanaged — can lead to nonprofit cannibalization, where mission-driven organizations chip away at one another’s resources and audiences.
If this situation sounds familiar, consider this: At what point does competition hinder nonprofits’ ability to fulfill their missions? And is there a better path forward? Clarifying where healthy competition ends — and cannibalization begins — helps distinguish productive overlap from harmful duplication.
What Is Nonprofit Cannibalization?
Cannibalization occurs when nonprofits compete for the same mission-critical assets to the point that it negatively impacts all organizations involved. These assets typically fall into two categories: resources and constituents. When competition over either of these becomes destructive rather than constructive, it turns from healthy rivalry into harmful overlap.
Competition for Resources
Imagine you’ve built a strong relationship with a major donor over several years. Then, at a community event, you see a peer from another nonprofit chatting with that donor. Panic sets in: Will they pull their gift and redirect their support? Organizations often assume donors can only support one cause, leading to unnecessary territorial behavior.
Read the article here
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State Bill Would Prohibit Local Bans
on Encampments in WA
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Published in the Kitsap Sun, February 6, 2026
Photo: Meegan M. Reid/Kitsap Sun
Washington lawmakers are considering restrictions to keep cities and counties from criminalizing camping on public property.
Dozens of cities across the state have implemented such bans in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2024 that laws like these don’t meet the threshold of “cruel and unusual punishment” prohibited by the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Democrats on the House Housing Committee advanced House Bill 2489 on Monday with no Republican support. Rep. Adison Richards, D-Gig Harbor, was the sole Democratic vote against the legislation. Multiple Democrats said they supported it despite misgivings.
“Being homeless is not a crime,” said bill sponsor Rep. Mia Gregerson, D-SeaTac.
The measure would prohibit local governments from enforcing local laws banning “life-sustaining activities” unless they can prove adequate shelter space is available for people to go to. The legislation defines “life-sustaining activities” as moving, resting, sitting, standing, lying down, sleeping, protecting oneself and personal property from the elements, eating and drinking.
So cities wouldn’t be allowed to sweep homeless encampments, for example.
Read the article here
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Seahawks Swarm Patriots for Second
Super Bowl Title in Franchise History
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Published in the Kitsap Sun, February 9, 2026
Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
In a Super Bowl defined by smothering defensive performances, the "Dark Side" proved too much for a franchise once known as the NFL's "Evil Empire."
The Seattle Seahawks flustered the New England Patriots throughout Super Bowl 60 on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Calif., to secure a 29-13 win and the second title in franchise history.
Though the Seahawks fell short of recording the first shutout in the game's history after holding the Patriots scoreless through three quarters, the team notched six sacks, falling just short of a Super Bowl record.
Coach Mike Macdonald's overpowering defense served as the engine behind the team's run to the NFC's top playoff seed. Yet it was the dominant display on football's grandest stage that would go down as the unit's crowning achievement.
Second-year Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who missed out on winning the NFL MVP Award by a single first-place vote, was thoroughly rattled by a diverse and unpredictable Seattle pass rush. The Seahawks repeatedly overwhelmed rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson on the left side of New England's line in the early going, bagging three first-half sacks.
Read the article here
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Community Advisors Needed for
Bremerton's Active Transportation Plan
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My Furry Valentine
Now thru February 14, 2026
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theFoodproject
Saturday, February 14, 2026
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The Neighborhood Food Project is a grassroots initiative spreading across the U.S., bringing neighbors and food banks together in communities like Gig Harbor, Issaquah, and Thurston County. Now, Kitsap and Mason County Food Banks are joining together in a collaborative effort to fight hunger smarter and more efficiently.
Every other month, Bremerton Foodline (BFL) Coordinators share a county-wide wishlist that includes items most needed by the member organizations of the Kitsap County Food Bank Coalition. This means that instead of guessing what’s needed,
theFOODproject donors can confidently donate, knowing their contributions will directly meet the needs of families throughout Kitsap County.
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US Army Jazz Ambassador
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 3:00pm
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Masks Still 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. Pick up your supply at both GKC locations today. Available while supplies last.
| | Clearwater Casino Presents: | | |
Valentine's Dessert & Concert Experience
Cherry Cherry - Neil Diamond Tribute
Saturday, February 14, 2026, 8:30pm
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Valisblot (Valentine's Viking Style)
Saturday, February 14, 2026, 5:30pm
| | Valisblót is a Poulsbo Sons of Norway Viking tradition that marks renewal, the changing of the seasons, and love. The bonfire is a beacon of hope as the days grow longer, as proclaimed during the ceremony. It’s a celebration attributed to Odin’s youngest son, Vali. He is seen as a symbol of hope and renewal. The Vikings take over Front Street and end at a bonfire on the waterfront. The roaring fire offers all present - Vikings and visitors - a time to look into the flames, see the embers rise, pause in their lives to reflect and appreciate their sweethearts, and feel the warmth of the glowing fire. | | |
Shaun Cassidy @ The Admiral Theatre
Saturday, February 14, 2026, 7:30pm
| | Shaun Cassidy is an American writer, producer, actor and singer. After originally making his name as a performer, Cassidy went on to create, write, and produce a number of critically acclaimed television series including AMERICAN GOTHIC (produced with Sam Raimi), ROAR (starring Heath Ledger), COLD CASE, COVER ME, THE AGENCY, INVASION, and EMERALD CITY. Cassidy most recently spent five years as executive producer and writer for the hit NBC/NETFLIX series NEW AMSTERDAM. | |
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Concerts in Port Gamble:
Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light
Friday, February 27, 2026, 7:00pm
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Fresh off a first place win at the 2025 Telluride Bluegrass Festival band competition, Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light have been captivating audiences throughout the northeast. With songs as sweet and biting as the nectar and venom in her voice, Sumner's lyric-forward writing and penchant for snaking chord progressions demand something far beyond folk conventions, highlighting the acrobatic range of her brilliant bandmates Kat Wallace (fiddle) and Mike Siegel (upright bass).
Sumner is no stranger to the stage. She spent her early career on the bluegrass circuit, singing and writing with the genre-bending roots group Twisted Pine. Since setting out on her own, Sumner's songs have been critically acclaimed: winning the 2021 John Lennon Award in the folk category for her song "Radium Girls (Curie Eleison);" earning a spot in the Kerrville New Folk Competition; and being chosen four consecutive years as one of the top Massachusetts entries in NPR’s Tiny Desk Competition. Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light released their debut LP in the summer of 2022 to critical acclaim.
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Quincy Birthday Celebration @ The Roxy
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 7:00pm
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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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Office (360) 479-3579 | 705 Pacific Avenue in Downtown Bremerton
Silverdale Office (360) 692-6800 | Kitsap Mall
PO Box 1218 Silverdale WA 98383
If you need assistance, please contact us directly.
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