Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | | WA State Senate Approves Income Tax | |
Published in Association of WA Business, February 16, 2026
The state Senate approved Senate Bill 6346 on Monday, moving Washington one step closer to establishing an income tax on millionaires. The bill included an amendment that will phase out the sales tax on digital services that lawmakers passed last year as part of the largest tax increase in state history.
Phasing out the sales tax on services, which was adopted last year without a thorough review, is a step in the right direction. But the underlying bill - which would establish an income tax on high earners - nevertheless represents a step backward for employers, particularly small- and medium-sized businesses.
While framed as a tax on high-earners, SB 6346 would also affect employers and job creators around the state. That’s because many Washington businesses are structured as pass-through entities, where business income is reported on the individual’s return.
The bill explicitly treats pass-through income as including both distributed and undistributed federal taxable income. That means a business owner can face Washington income tax on profits retained in the business for payroll, equipment, inventory, debt service, or exemptions.
The Association of Washington Business has just published a new issue brief on the income tax on millionaires under consideration by the Legislature. The two-page document provides a clear overview of how the tax would work, how it’s calculated, the credits and deductions, and the tax relief provisions.
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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.
Contact the Chamber if you have any questions.
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February Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 11:00am
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Be Featured in the Chamber Map!
Reserve your ad space now
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Reserve your space today with Brandom Burton at brandon@communitymattersinc.com or 360-362-0929
Complete your order here: 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. | |
Save-the-Date: Armed Forces Day 2026 | |
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.
| | New Members - Welcome to the Chamber! | |
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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Moving Into Spring
Spring Food Drive Opens March 1st
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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: Say It Better. Sell It Faster. With AI.
Thursday, February 19, 2026, 11:00am
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Smarter Messaging & Marketing for Real-World Business Owners.
Live, hands-on marketing series for small business owners.
This is the first of a three-session series where you will learn how to turn your business into a content machine—one AI prompt at a time. No fluff. Just real-world output you can actually use.
Presented by:
Steve McCaslin is a Washington SBDC Certified Business Advisor and is located in Coupeville, WA. Steve is a retired Naval Flight Officer and has spent 20+ years in the corporate world in sales, strategy and business development, business consulting, corporate training, and leadership development training, mentoring, and coaching. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a BS in Agriculture, where he majored in Poultry Science.
Registration Fee: FREE
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SCORE: Business Strategy and Risk Analysis
for Small Business Owners
Thursday, February 19, 2026, 12:00pm
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Develop a clear, actionable roadmap for your business success. This workshop guides small business owners and entrepreneurs through proven strategy tools like the Business Model Canvas, SWOT Analysis, and Balanced Scorecard, paired with practical risk assessment and mitigation techniques. Learn how to identify opportunities, manage uncertainty, and align operations with long-term goals using structured frameworks and hands-on exercises designed to strengthen decision-making and resilience.
Registration Fee: FREE
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CRP: Small Business Grant Opportunity
Deadline Friday, February 20, 2026
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SBDC: Small Business Cybersecurity
Session 2 - Limiting Access
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1:00pm
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This webinar will discuss the Identification and Authentication and Access Control domains of the cybersecurity maturity model. These domains cover how to uniquely identify and authenticate system users, create user groups, and assign access permissions using the principle of least privilege. Additionally, Rob Ruder, owner of the digital services agency IDIC Designs, will discuss the principles of risk avoidance, acceptance, mitigation, and transference. Kayla Miller will discuss common scams and how to avoid them.
Register for part 3 here: Small Business Cybersecurity Session 3: Securing Systems
Register for part 4 here: Small Business Cybersecurity Session 4: Incident Response
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Human Trafficking Prevention Strategy Workshop
Thursday, February 26, 2026, 10:00am
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The Washington Department of Commerce, in partnership with the Washington Office of the Attorney General and Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST), is offering a free online professional consulting workshop for the executives of tourism-impacted businesses located in Fan Zone Cities across the state. This workshop equips business leaders with tools to prevent, recognize, and respond to human trafficking as Washington prepares to host the FIFA World Cup 26™.
Fan Zone Cities will see an influx of soccer fans during June and July. Unfortunately, wherever there is an increase in crowds, there is a higher risk of human trafficking. Criminals take advantage of crowded areas that can hide their schemes. When multitudes gather, traffickers are more confident in their ability to elude security. For public-facing businesses, this means that it is essential to prepare now to counter human trafficking safely and effectively. Participants in this workshop will receive free access to BEST’s online human trafficking prevention course for the first 250 employees from any of their businesses who take the training, sponsored by the Department of Commerce.
This interactive workshop provides tailored strategy development and policy guidance to help businesses in high-traffic areas build prevention strategies, including developing anti-human trafficking policies, establishing reporting protocols, and ensuring frontline staff are trained to recognize and respond to signs of exploitation. Participants will also have the opportunity to collaborate with other businesses committed to community safety.
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Airbnb Hosting: Get Guest Ready
Thursday, March 5, 2026, 6:00pm
| | Business News & Resources | | 6 Small Business Grants Open This Month | |
Small business February grants can be a real lifeline for entrepreneurs, especially startups navigating early-stage challenges. From limited capital to operational growing pains, funding can make the difference between stalling out and scaling up.
This February, small business grants may provide entrepreneurs with critical financial support, professional development opportunities, and in-kind resources to help businesses establish themselves as vital contributors to the business community.
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How Long Should Your Small Business
Keep Documents?
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Published in Midnight Oil by U.S. Chamber of Commerce, February 4, 2026
Photo courtesy of CO - U.S. Chamber of Commerce
As a business owner, you likely have various documents in storage, such as tax returns, personnel records, and bank statements. Unfortunately, no single, universal retention rule applies to all types of records, so you need to categorize your files and create a document retention policy (DRP).
Once you know what types of records you have, it’s then time to determine how long you should keep those documents. Below, we’ll go over legal retention requirements and best practices for records not covered by federal or state laws.
Federal record retention guidelines: Who regulates recordkeeping?
Several federal agencies have document retention requirements. The guidelines may vary depending on your industry and circumstances. Understanding which categories apply to your company is essential to knowing which documents to keep.
Read the full article here
| | Retail Spending Shows Uneven Momentum Across Income Levels | |
Published in the WA Retail Association, February 12, 2026
Photo Courtesy of WRA
Retail sales exceeded expectations in 2025, remaining a bright spot in the broader economy. However, a closer look at consumer behavior shows that spending strength is not evenly distributed across income groups.
Recent analysis of credit and debit card data, conducted with industry partners, examined retail spending by income decile. The findings suggest a pattern often described as a K-shaped economy, where different income groups experience sharply different growth trajectories. While total discretionary retail spending increased year over year, that growth was largely driven by higher-income consumers.
Lower- and middle-income households saw slower or negative growth in discretionary spending during 2025. In contrast, the top income segments increased their spending at a much stronger pace. Notably, the top 20 percent of spenders accounted for more than 60 percent of total discretionary spending, effectively offsetting weakness among the remaining income groups, and keeping overall retail growth positive.
This pattern was visible across many retail sectors, although it did not appear uniformly. Some sectors experienced growth across most income levels, while others saw broad-based declines. Rather than a simple split between high-and low-income households, the data shows a more layered and nuanced stratification in consumer behavior.
What remains clear is that spending momentum among lower to middle-income consumers has begun to slow, even as top-line retail sales remain resilient. Higher-income households continue to play an outsized role in supporting retail performance.
Looking ahead to 2026, overall retail sales are expected to continue growing. However, that growth is unlikely to be evenly shared across all consumer segments. For retailers and policymakers alike, understanding these differences will be increasingly important as strategies adapt to a more uneven consumer landscape.
Read the article here
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Childcare Listening Session
Monday, February 26, 2026, 6:30pm
| | The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to serve as a resource partner with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Stay tuned to this section quarterly for education, resources and more from L&I. | | Workplace Rights: Common Mistakes to Avoid | | |
A big workplace right for employees is the protection provided to them through workers’ compensation coverage (workers’ comp). Workers’ comp is mandatory for all employees and even some contractors. Check out RCW 51.12.020 for the state law explaining which types of employment are excluded from coverage. Here are a few answers to my workers’ comp FAQs:
- How do I set up workers’ comp?
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Update your WA state business license with the Department of Revenue (DOR) Business Licensing Service and indicate you are going to have employee(s). For help, follow these steps.
- Where do I find my…?
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Are you looking for a certificate of coverage? Your account manager? Maybe rates and risk classes or your L&I account ID? You can find all of that using the Verify Tool. However, if you’re looking for your Participant Activation Code (PAC), you’ll want to call your account manager or give us a call at: 1-800-987-0145.
- Can my payroll company or other third party file for me?
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Yes. Be sure you and the service provider review “Filing on Behalf of Clients” to find an option that fits. But, beware! While payroll companies can file workers’ comp quarterly reports on your behalf, it’s not always the case! Be sure to verify directly with the payroll company to confirm if that’s a service they provide. Otherwise, you risk accruing late fees.
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Is coverage required for business owners?
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No. Most business owners are exempt from mandatory coverage per RCW 51.12.020, even if you pay yourself as an employee in a S-Corp or other structure. However, owners can opt into elective coverage and receive workers’ comp benefits such as medical care coverage related to a workplace injury and partial wage replacement if your workplace injury results in you missing three or more consecutive work days.
| | Nonprofit News & Resources | |
Donor Love: Stewardship Best Practices
That Keep Donors Giving
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Published in NonprofitPRO, February 11, 2026
Photo: Getty Images/AntonioGuillem
How do you love your donors? You should be able to count the ways! If you can’t, it may cost your organization time, effort, and money.
It’s Valentine’s week, and we all have love on the brain. But in the nonprofit world, every day should be Valentine’s Day for your donors. Donor love is a crucial component of effective donor retention.
If you’re in development, you’ve likely spent a lot of time fretting over your organization’s donor retention rate – the percentage of your donors who give year over year. Why is this number so significant? It is much easier — and less expensive — to keep a donor you already have than it is to recruit a new donor.
There are a number of factors that influence a donor’s decision to make an ongoing financial commitment to your mission. Chief among these is communication. It not only matters what you say to your donors, but how you say it, and how consistently you say it.
Emotional investment leads to financial investment. Your donors are more than checkbooks. They are the lifeblood of your organization, and you cannot fulfill your mission without their support. Your goal should be to help them feel like absolute superheroes — because they are.
After a donor gives, donor love shows up in what you do next. There are three fundamental actions you can take to significantly increase the likelihood of receiving another gift next time you ask.
Read the article here
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Bremerton Salvation Army to
Close Daytime Homeless Shelter
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Published in the Kitsap Sun, February 16, 2026
Photo: Conor Wilson/Kitsap Sun
BREMERTON – After running a 24/7 shelter for a majority of the past six years, the Salvation Army announced in a statement Monday it no longer had funding to sustain all-day operations at its 94-bed shelter on Sixth Street. Starting Tuesday Feb. 17, the facility will only be open to guests overnight only, between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m.
The decision, precipitated by a loss in funding from Kitsap County, will drastically reduce capacity at Bremerton’s largest, low-barrier homeless shelter. Many of the nearly 100 residents served each night will almost certainly be pushed onto the street during daytime hours, exposed to wet and frigid winter weather, without many immediate alternatives.
The Salvation Army has offered a lifeline to the city since 2020, when in the midst of the pandemic it converted its Sixth Street building into a year-round homeless shelter. That was supposed to be a temporary arrangement, as the city sought out a more permanent solution for sheltering its growing number of unhoused residents. But outside of a brief pause in 2023 – during which large encampments developed on several downtown streets – the shelter has run uninterrupted. Last year, it provided over 26,000 nights of shelter for individuals.
Capt. Dana Walters, who runs the shelter alongside her husband, Capt. Lance Walters, said in a phone interview they had experienced a rollercoaster of emotions the past couple days as they work to close down the daytime shelter and attended to clients needs. Staff were notified Monday morning about the transition, Walter said, with about ten expected to lose their jobs. Shelter guests got the news around lunchtime.
Read the article 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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Kitsap Antique Show
February 21 - February 22, 2026
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Light Up Bremerton
Saturday, March 7, 2026, 6:00pm
| We are thrilled to invite you to Light Up Bremerton, our first ever lantern parade and the beginning of a new community tradition here in Bremerton. This evening celebrates creativity, fun, and coming together to light up downtown during First Friday Art Walk as the sun sets. | |
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.
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Clearwater Casino Presents:
Reckless - Bryan Adams Tribute
Friday, February 20, 2026, 8:30pm
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Abbagraphs - ABBA Tribute
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 8:30pm
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Joel Gibson Jr @ The Roxy Theatre
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 6:00pm
| | Join us for the Roxy Encore full band, all acoustic performance by Joel Gibson Jr. at the Roxy in Bremerton! With a special acoustic performance by Chris Eger! If you were at the first one, you know this is not to be missed! This is an all-age show, so grab your tickets, bring the family, and enjoy an evening of originals and select covers with Joel Gibson Jr.! | | |
Darrius Willrich @ The Roxy Theatre
Thursday, February 26, 2026, 7:00pm
| | Darrius Willrich is a vocalist, keyboardist, and producer whose work spans soul, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary R&B. He is currently the keyboardist for Digable Planets and Shabazz Palaces, and a featured vocalist with Michael Jackson vs. Prince (MVP). His recording credits include appearances on Wiz Khalifa’s Rolling Papers 2 and production work with Nasty C, Jake One, and Sam Wish. Darrius has performed with Savion Glover, Kalimba, and others, and has opened for Macy Gray, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Diana Krall. | |
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Concerts in Port Gamble:
Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light
Friday, February 27, 2026, 7:00pm
| 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). | | |
Women of Americana @ The Admiral Theatre
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 7:30pm
| | Join us for a heartfelt celebration of early folk, country, gospel, and Western swing music with Women of Americana! This isn’t just a concert—it’s an exuberant exploration of this singular American genre that planted the roots of American music. | | |
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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