Wednesday, September 27, 2023 |
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As Federal Shutdown Looms,
WA Agencies Told to Start Preparing
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As a stalemate in “the other Washington” signals a potential shutdown of the federal government, some Washington state agencies have been directed to identify programs that could be affected if federal funds stop flowing to the state.
If Congress can’t pass a continuing resolution or spending bills by midnight on Saturday, the federal government would begin a partial shutdown Sunday, Oct. 1, the first day of the federal fiscal year.
While some government entities will be exempt — Social Security checks, for example, will still go out — other functions will be severely curtailed. Federal agencies will stop all actions deemed nonessential, and millions of federal employees, including members of the military, won’t receive paychecks. There are roughly 54,000 federal employees in the state of Washington, according to the Congressional Research Service.
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September Chamber Luncheon
Wednesday, September 27, 2023, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
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Join us this month as we focus on Education in Kitsap. Hear from local education leaders, including Dr. Erin Prince of the Central Kitsap School District. Speak to members from the education world about what they have to offer your business and employees, whether its professional development, internship partnerships, return to school, job upskills and more. |
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Heroes Golf Tournament
Friday, September 29, 2023
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There's still time to register your team today - contact Tiffany to sign up!
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Submit Your Nominations Now for
2023 Business Awards Gala
Nominations accepted until September 28th
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Get the Most Out of Your Member Benefits |
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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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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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Friends of the Carlisle II:
Sound West Group
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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. This week we turn our focus to Sound West Group. |
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Founded in 2010 by Wes Larson, Mike Brown and Dr. Pankaj Sharma, Sound West Group has grown to become a leading developer in the Puget Sound region, with a focus on multi-family communities, single family housing, medical buildings, and national credit tenanted retail and office properties. Recent projects garnering attention include the restoration of the Historic Roxy Theatre, the Ellie Passivhaus apartment building in Seattle (the largest net-zero energy-use project in Washington), and Bremerton’s Marina Square, a waterfront living community providing a variety of unique options for workforce housing in support of PSNS and St. Michael Medical Center workers. Marina Square was recently nominated and is a finalist for NAIOP’s Mixed-Use Development of the Year, and Sound West Group was recognized with a nomination for Developer of the Year.
At its core, SWG has a commitment to developing community with vision and integrity, with a long-term goal of improving the quality of life in our region. Sound West Group strives to find ways to engage the local community, consider the environment and create a lasting footprint that will stand the test of time. "We're always looking for the PSI in our projects - Positive Social Impact," explains Larson.
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Groundbreaking at St. Michael Medical
Wednesday, October 4, 2023, 10:00 am
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Coming Soon: 26th Annual Eggs & Issues
Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 8:00 am
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WA Retail Association Call to Action:
Support the Credit Card Competition Act
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Wall Street banks significantly profit from credit card swipes due to the dominance of two companies controlling 80% of the market. They dictate fees and terms, forcing businesses to pay non-negotiable fees or pass costs to consumers. These big banks are pushing for even higher swipe fees, which are especially burdensome for smaller businesses amid inflation.
To address this issue, there's a proposed bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act, aiming to introduce competition by requiring two processing networks on each card. This could potentially save $15 billion for businesses yearly. A survey done by the Merchants Payments Coalition found that over 65% of those interviewed support this act.
Congress is urged to prioritize Main Street interests over Wall Street profits, especially as Visa and Mastercard plan to increase fees. Swipe fees have more than doubled in a decade, significantly impacting merchants and consumer prices. In these challenging economic times, addressing these issues becomes increasingly important.
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Member Education & Training Resources |
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SCORE: Harnessing the Power of AI
Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 1:00 pm
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You’ve heard and read a lot recently about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the new hot business tool that can radically transform certain processes within your business. But for your business, you’re stumped as to how and what processes it could revolutionize.
In this workshop, we'll explain the basics of AI and how it can improve your digital marketing, from helping you find the right audience to optimizing your social media content. Understanding those basics can help you determine how to best utilize AI in your business and drive more sales and profits.
Discover how AI can make your blog and website easier to find online and gather strategic insights about your industry and competitors. Whether you're new to digital marketing or just want to improve your digital marketing strategy, we'll show you how to use AI effectively and confidently.
Workshop Fee: $40
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BIPOC Business Forum
October 25, 2023, 5:00 - 8:00 pm
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Business News & Resources |
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L&I Proposes 4.9% Increase in
Workers' Comp Rates for 2024
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The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is proposing a 4.9 percent increase in the average hourly rate employers and workers will pay for workers’ compensation insurance next year. If adopted, the increase would mean employers and workers on average would jointly pay an additional $65 a year for each full-time employee within a business.
“With help from our reserves, we’re finding a balance between charging enough to cover costs and keeping rates steady and predictable, as Washington employers deal with economic uncertainty and lingering impacts of the pandemic,” L&I Director Joel Sacks said.
The proposed increase is below what L&I expects to pay for 2024 claims, so the agency will augment the premiums with funds from the workers’ compensation contingency reserve.
A typical worker will continue to pay about a quarter of the premium, similar to 2023. The proposed increase means employees would pay about $11 more on average in 2024.
In part, the rate increase is needed because Washington has had higher-than-normal increases in the state’s average wage in recent years.
"It's good for workers that wages are rising, but that means the cost of replacing wages when a worker gets hurt goes up too,” Sacks said. “Our workers’ compensation State Fund investments are performing well, so we're able to use the returns to help cover costs again this year instead of passing it on to employers.”
This will be the fourth year that L&I has reduced the impact on employers and workers struggling from the pandemic by tapping the contingency reserve to avoid larger increases in premiums. If the agency did not tap into the reserve, it would need to raise average rates nearly 10 percent to collect enough premiums to cover new claims in 2024.
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Council Approves Credits for Heat Pumps |
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Reworked rules: Earlier this month, the Washington State Building Code Council approved a credit system for the installation of electric heat pumps in new homes. The changes are a scaled back version of a controversial proposal to mandate heat pumps in most new construction -- but builders warned the credit system still effectively bans the use of natural gas in new homes and will drive up the cost of housing.
Zero credits for natural gas: The scoring system awards up to three credits for a home using a heat pump and zero for natural gas, the Washington State Standard reported. Craig Holt, a member of the council who works for a construction company, questioned if the rules make it viable to build an affordable home with natural gas.
“I saw examples where it was possible to spend so much on the skin that the house is no longer affordable,” Holt said. “I’d just like to know if it is still possible to use gas and afford to buy a house."
Opportunity for legislative fix: The new rules are set to take effect on March 15, 2024, pushed back from late October. Joel White, executive officer of the Spokane Home Builders Association, told The Spokesman-Review that the delayed implementation of the code will allow lawmakers to address the proposed regulations during the 2024 legislative session.
Public review: The public will be able to comment on the proposed code changes, with at least one hearing this fall. Contact Government Affairs Director Peter Godlewski to learn more and get involved.
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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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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.
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The Role of the Board Chair Series
October 3, 2023, 12:00 pm
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4-Part Series
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
12:00pm-1:00pm PT
Online via Zoom
Leading a group of governance volunteers can be challenging as well as rewarding. Serving as the chair of the board is not a role for the uninspired and undecided. In this workshop, participants will learn about the chair’s responsibility in strengthening and improving the leadership work of the board as a whole.
This course is a great primer for new board chairs and excellent refresher for more seasoned board members! Whether you’re a current chair, chair-elect, or head up a committee, this workshop covers leadership skills every board member needs. Topics include: leadership characteristics of effective board leaders, key relationships in and out of the board room, your leadership legacy, facilitating meetings that matter, and ways to engage individual board members.
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Estate Planning 101: Your Life & Legacy
presented by Kitsap Community Foundation
Thursday, October 19, 2023, 10:00 am
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Where: Kitsap Universalist Unitarian Fellowship
During this complimentary session, you will learn about:
- Estate Planning and why it is important
- Four key estate planning documents everyone should consider
- Wills – maintain control of assets during your lifetime
- Trusts – save on taxes while planning for the future
- Donor-Advised Funds – make a donation, support your favorite charities, grow the funds
- Life Insurance – protecting your beneficiaries and supporting your favorite charities tax-free
You are welcome (and encouraged) to bring guests and advisors.
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Bus and Port Orchard Ferry service will be fare-free on Sundays through the end of 2024
At the beginning of 2023, Kitsap Transit announced it would roll out Sunday bus service in phases across Kitsap County, pending successful operator recruitment. Sunday bus service began in Bremerton on Sept. 24, 2023.
To encourage ridership and connections between services, Kitsap Transit will operate both bus service and Port Orchard foot ferry service fare-free on Sundays through the end of 2024. Regular fares will be collected on weekdays and Saturdays.
We are aiming to implement Sunday service in Port Orchard, Silverdale and Poulsbo in late 2023, and Bainbridge Island in early 2024.
If you have questions, please contact Kitsap Transit's Customer Service staff by calling 360.373.2877 or 800.501.RIDE.
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Kitsap County Fire Marshal Relaxes
Outdoor Burning Restrictions
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Recreational burning is no longer prohibited as the County Fire Marshal has returned to a Stage 1 burn ban effective at noon Friday, September 22, 2023 "Recent rainfall, cooler temperatures and higher humidity have combined to lower the fire potential in lighter fuels sufficient to allow small recreational fires" according to David Lynam, the County's Fire Marshal. "Heavier fuels are still very dry, and it will take more rainfall over an extended period to soak in sufficient to lift the stage one burn ban" Lynam added.
Under the Stage 1 burn ban, all burning permits are suspended and all forms of outdoor burning are prohibited except for small recreational fires not requiring a burning permit. Recreational fires are small fires (no bigger than three feet in diameter and no more than two feet high) burning natural wood products in a backyard fireplace, fire pit, barbecue or similar appliance for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking warmth or similar purposes.
Recreational burning is not general outdoor burning – which remains prohibited. Recreational burning includes campfires in approved locations, and in appliances such as back yard fireplaces.
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Bremerton Airport Seeks Painting Volunteers |
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Drop Off Gently-Used Costumes at the Chamber
DBA Hosts Annual Trick or Treat Street
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Live Well Kitsap! Community Hike
Saturday, September 30, 2023, 10:00 am
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Silverdale GreenDrinks
Wednesday, October 4, 2023, 5:24 pm
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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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Admiral Theatre Presents: +LIVE+ Unplugged
Wednesday, September 27, 2023, 7:30 pm
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+LIVE+ have sold over 22 million albums worldwide and earned two number one albums: Throwing Copper and Secret Samadhi. Their catalog is filled with such gems as “Lightning Crashes,” “I Alone,” “All Over You” and “Lakini’s Juice,” which live on today as classics on rock radio. Throwing Copper—which the band celebrated in 2019 with a new deluxe 25th anniversary edition via Radioactive/Geffen/Ume along with a global tour across major festivals, amphitheaters and arenas--produced the band’s biggest single, “Lightning Crashes,” which was #1 at Modern Rock radio for ten consecutive weeks. Throwing Copper reached #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and eventually surpassed sales of 10 million albums sold, with Rolling Stone honoring the album with placement on their list, “1994: The 40 Best Records From Mainstream Alternative's Greatest Year.” Secret Samadhi (1997) immediately shot to #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and eventually went double platinum. The release of the platinum-selling The Distance to Here (1999) turned +LIVE+ into an international powerhouse and moved the band from arenas into stadiums. +LIVE+ has been and remains today a global concert juggernaut. The band released an acclaimed five-song EP in 2018, LOCAL 717, their first new music in over a decade.
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BCT Presents: A Turn of the Screw
October 6-15, 2023
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This is a dark, rich, ghost story; or is it a story about unhinged madness? Each of us must decide what is real and what is not. Is it a battle between good and evil, or of right and wrong?
A governess takes a position in a lonely country estate where she is given full charge of Miles and Flora, with strict instructions to never reach out to her employer about matters concerning the children. As her relationship with the housekeeper, Mrs. Grose, and the children develops, she soon believes they are keeping secrets from her. Her suspicions grow when the ghosts of the former valet and governess begin appearing around the grounds but Mrs. Grose and the children deny seeing the figures. As the apparitions take more and more interest in the children, the governess begins to fear for her charges lives and souls.
Content Advisory: Contains mature themes, references to the occult and suicide, psychological abuse, tense moments, loud noises, and flashing/strobe lights. May be too scary for younger audiences.
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Port Gamble Theatre: Murder on the Nile
October 6-22, 2023
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KCMT Presents: Bye Bye Birdie
October 12-29, 2023
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Save-the-Date: Poulsbo Film Festival
October 13-15, 2023
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Halloween Extravaganza
Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 6:00 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 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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