These New WA Laws Took Effect Last Thursday | | |
Published in the WA State Standard, June 11, 2026
Photo: Bill Lucia/WA State Standard
Over 200 new Washington state laws took effect Thursday.
Among them are tax hikes, enhancements to the state’s Voting Rights Act and guidance for retailers on the penny phase-out.
Thursday marks 90 days since the end of the 2026 legislative session. Some laws passed in Olympia this year will take force later, while others are already on the books.
Read the article here
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June Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 11:00am
| | Please join us for our June Membership Luncheon and 2026 Annual Meeting. This is a special luncheon for the Chamber as we celebrate all of the work we've done over the last 12 months and introduce our newly-elected Board members. You'll hear from outgoing-Chair, Susan Larsen and learn more about what the Chamber has planned for the coming year. | |
RECAP: Port-to-Port Pop Up Ferry | The Greater Kitsap Chamber kicked off the summer on June 13th with the return of the Port-to-Port Pop-Up Ferry between Silverdale and Bremerton. Guests enjoyed scenic Puget Sound views aboard the historic Carlisle II, even spotting a gray whale along the way. The day offered plenty to explore on both shores, from waterfront shops to parks and local events. Thank you to Kitsap Transit, the Port of Silverdale, and our amazing community for making it a memorable experience! | RECAP: Roxyette Ribbon Cutting | The Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center had a busy weekend! While hosting our Visitor Center tent at the Bremerton Fan Zone kickoff in Quincy Square, we were excited to take part in another highlight on the square—the official opening of the Roxyette, the newly renovated concession stand at the historic Roxy Theatre. The project’s completion comes just in time to celebrate the Roxy’s 85th anniversary, which took place last month. | |
Accessible Healthcare with NICE
Business Health Trust Has You Covered
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You may have more options than you think.
A lot of employers assume they just have to live with a plan that is not working. But a mid-year review can still be worth it. If your team is dealing with confusing coverage, employee complaints, or too much admin time, now is a smart time to ask questions and see what a better fit could look like.
Through our chamber’s partnership with Business Health Trust, members can compare benefits, get guidance, and move toward a setup that feels easier to manage. Nice Healthcare adds even more day-to-day value with $0 care built for real life.
🔗 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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Live Well Kitsap Presents: Kitsap Fest
Saturday, Jully 11, 2026, 10:00am
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KitsapFest is hosting their 7th annual KitsapFest event on Saturday July 11th, at the Silverdale Waterfront park and you are invited.
Come for the live music as they support 3 local music artists and come and enjoy meeting the vendors who have goods and services to help you Live Well in Kitsap. There's food trucks, a DJ, prizes and more.
This is a FREE event and open to all.
Live Well Kitsap is accepting vendor applications through June 30th and you can apply online at livewellkitsap.com/kitsapfest.
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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 name valueGlass as our June Member of the Month. Since opening in 2014, valueGlass has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality glass solutions with professionalism and care across Kitsap County. Their attention to detail, reliable service, and relationship-driven approach have made them a respected and recognizable part of our local business landscape. Since joining the Chamber in 2024, they have remained engaged and committed to supporting both fellow members and the broader community.
A Continued Commitment to Community
valueGlass demonstrates its community-minded spirit through ongoing participation in local events, including Military Appreciation Day and Armed Forces Day. Their involvement reflects an appreciation for the people and partnerships that make Kitsap County strong, and a willingness to show up in support of the community.
Strengthening Our Local Business Network
Beyond their participation in local events, valueGlass contributes to the success of other small businesses. Most recently, they donated and installed a new glass door for a fellow Chamber member—an act that speaks to their collaborative mindset and generosity.
A Clear Commitment to Craft and Community
valueGlass stands out for its commitment to quality workmanship and meaningful community engagement. Their focus on delivering excellent results while building lasting partnerships reflects the values we celebrate within the Chamber. We are proud to recognize valueGlass for their continued contributions and look forward to seeing their ongoing impact in Kitsap County.
| Business & Professional Development Committee | | Member Education & Training Resources | | |
SCORE: How to Develop Your
Brand from Scratch
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 12:00pm
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Starting a business is more than having a great idea — it’s about creating a brand people recognize, trust, and remember. This beginner-friendly webinar is designed for entrepreneurs and new business owners who want to build a strong, authentic brand from the ground up. Participants will learn the fundamentals of branding, including defining their purpose, identifying their ideal audience, crafting a clear brand message, and creating a consistent visual and online presence. You’ll walk away with practical tools and frameworks to help you communicate who you are, what you offer, and why it matters. Whether you’re launching a side hustle, starting your first business, or rebranding an early-stage venture, this webinar will give you the clarity and confidence to build a brand that grows with your business.
Registration Fee: FREE
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SBDC: Active Listening
The Key to Better Communication
Thursday, June 25, 2026, 11:00am
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Active Listening builds on strong questioning skills and focuses on the often-missed half of communication – how well we receive, interpret, and respond to others. This course helps participants slow down, listen with intent, and strengthen trust, clarity, and influence in everyday conversations.
Participants will learn to:
-Distinguish between hearing and true listening – and why the difference matters
-Use verbal, non-verbal, and follow-up cues to show they’re fully engaged
-Respond in ways that clarify understanding, reduce friction, and move conversations forward
Registration Fee: FREE
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Washington Biz Fair
Saturday, September 19, 2026
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This year’s event is packed with opportunities to connect, learn, and grow your business.
- Network with fellow business owners.
- Meet representatives from state, local, and federal agencies.
- Explore business banking programs.
- Discover free resources in our exhibition hall.
You’ll also have access to expert-led workshops on a wide range of business topics, all designed to help you succeed.
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Business News & Resources | | Inflation Spiked to 4.2% in May | |
Published by the WA State Standard, June 10, 2026
Photo: Niki Kelly/Indiana Capital Chronicle
Consumer price inflation reached 4.2% in May, the highest mark in three years, boosted largely by higher energy prices that have spiked because of the Iran war, according to federal numbers released on Wednesday.
The higher year-over-year inflation rate was expected. But at more than double the Federal Reserve’s target rate of 2%, the new numbers dimmed hopes for a cut in the interest rate.
The so-called core inflation rate, which excludes volatile food and fuel costs, was 2.9%. Apparel costs were up 4.8% and the cost of transportation services increased by 4.1%.
Even before today’s report, the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute said that “Trump’s war of choice in Iran, coupled with his reckless budget and import tariff policies, offer strong arguments against the appropriateness of an interest rate cut at this juncture.”
The costs of the Iran war have already outstripped recent economic benefits from bigger tax refunds under the Trump administration, according to a June 1 report from Moody’s Analytics.
“The bigger tax refunds Americans have received this year no longer cover the higher costs of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel caused by the war,” Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Analytics, wrote in a social media post. “This is a big economic blow, but deficit-financed tax cuts have cushioned it — until now,” Zandi wrote.
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. | | |
Workplace Rights Refresher:
Independent Contractors
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Now, if someone is truly an independent contractor, they won’t be an employee. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about what makes someone an independent contractor in Washington state. In part, that’s because the IRS and the state have different criteria. Someone who’s received a 1099 form may be a contractor to the IRS, but not to the state.
To be an independent contractor in Washington state, a person would have to pass one of the independent contractor tests. One of the tests is the “personal labor test.” If a worker isn’t able to pass that, then we have what’s called the “6-part and 7-part test.” It’s a series of six conditions that all must be true, plus a seventh condition that applies to construction. They are:
- Be free from your control or direction.
- Must pass one of the following three options:
- The service is outside the usual course of business.
- The service is performed outside all of the places of business.
- The individual is responsible for the costs of the principal place of business from which the service is performed.
- Must pass 1 of the following 2 options: The individual:
- Is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession, or business, of the same nature as that involved in the contract of service.
- Has a principal place of business that is eligible for a business deduction for IRS purposes.
- The individual is responsible for filing a schedule of expenses with the IRS.
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The individual has established an account with the Department of Revenue and other state agencies as required.
- The individual is maintaining a separate set of books or records that reflect all items of income and expenses.
- (For construction only) The individual is properly registered as a contractor or has a valid electrical contractor license.
Want to learn more? Check out these resources:
| | Nonprofit News & Resources | |
What Proposed Federal Grant Rule
Changes Mean for Nonprofits
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Published by Nonprofit Pro, June 11, 2026
Photo: Getty Images/Olivier Le Moal
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on May 29 proposed significantly changing how nonprofits win and manage grants.
The proposed revisions are aimed at implementing the Trump administration’s priorities, particularly his July 2025 Executive Order 14332, Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking. If the proposal becomes final, federal funding will be more explicitly tied to the administration’s priorities, and groups that receive grants will be subject to more intense scrutiny. These rules would make it easier for the administration to suspend or cancel grants.
Soon after the executive order was issued, OMB notified the grants community that it would be revising its overall guidance that has provided requirements for federal financial assistance, known as the “uniform guidance,” since 2014. The proposed reframing, Uniform Grants Regulation, is a single set of rules that all federal grantmaking agencies would be required to adopt and follow.
“The overarching goal of OMB's proposed revisions is to improve transparency, accountability, and oversight for how Federal taxpayer dollars are used in the context of Federal grantmaking,” OMB wrote in its proposed revisions.
“Deficiencies currently exist throughout the lifecycle of grants — from program design to award selection to project delivery and oversight — that impact the ability of the federal government to prevent wasteful spending and efficiently implement assistance programs in a manner consistent with law and the needs of the American public.”
Read the article here
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Bremerton's FIFA World Cup 'Fan Zone'
Hosts Lineup of Events
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Published in the Kitsap Sun, June 15, 2026
Photo courtesy of the Kitsap Sun
The FIFA World Cup has arrived in North America with six games slated for downtown Seattle, and a lineup of "Fan Zone" events and watch parties in Bremerton's Quincy Square.
The Bremerton Fan Zone is one of nine locations across the state named as official sites to gather during the event, which kicked off with Mexico's win over South Africa on June 11 in Mexico City. Games will be played in 16 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico, including Seattle, where four group-stage and two knock-out round games will be played, including the U.S. men's national team hosting Australia on June 19.
The Quincy Square site, at Fourth Street and Washington Avenue, just a few blocks from the ferry terminal, has been turned into a large public area for watching games that happen in Seattle as well as a few bonus events. The Fan Zone features a 20-foot LED outdoor screen set up at the new bandstand along Fourth Street, an outdoor beer garden, food trucks and certain themed days that will function as community events beyond just soccer.
Read the article here
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VMFH Appoints Local Hospital Leader as
Puget Sound Market President
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Published in South Sound Business, June 4, 2026
Photo courtesy of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
Tacoma-based Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has appointed Chad Melton as president of its Puget Sound market, overseeing VMFH's eight acute care facilities and nearly 18,000 employees across the region, VMFH announced Wednesday.
Melton held the role in an interim capacity since February 2025 while also leading St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale as hospital president since 2021, according to his LinkedIn profile.
“Chad is a proven leader who has already been instrumental in driving significant improvements across VMFH and our Puget Sound Market,” Julie Manas, president of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and the Northwest Region of parent company CommonSpirit Health, said in a news release. “His commitment to quality, financial stewardship, and fostering a positive culture aligns with our values and our vision for the future.”
VMFH on Wednesday also announced Christopher Bredeson as the new president of Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, effective June 29. He comes to VMFH from EvergreenHealth in Kirkland, where he served as chief operating and strategy officer, leading the development and execution of growth strategy for seven years. Before that, he was president and chief operating officer of MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup.
Read the article here
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Bremerton Fan Zone: Juneteenth Celebration
Friday, June 19, 2026, 10:00am
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Make Music Day @ Quincy Square
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 12:00pm
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YMCA Summer Kickoff Open House
Friday, June 19, 2026, 4:30pm
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Clearwater Casino Presents:
Cassandra Long & Mike
from the Cassandra Long Band
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 7:30pm
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Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple Tribute
Friday, June 19, 2026, 8:30pm
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Randy Linder - Creedence Clearwater Tribute
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 8:30pm
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Juneteenth Comedy @ The Roxy Theatre
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 8:00pm
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Get ready for a night of culture, comedy, and nonstop laughs as Ms. MyMy Presents brings AFNO – A Funny Night Out to the Roxy Theater in Bremerton for a special Juneteenth celebration!
Produced by Ms. MyMy Presents, AFNO has become one of the Pacific Northwest’s growing comedy experiences — known for lively crowds, high energy, great music, and carefully curated talent that keeps audiences laughing all night long. More than just a comedy show, AFNO creates an atmosphere where community, culture, and entertainment come together for an unforgettable experience.
This special Juneteenth edition features an incredible lineup of comedians bringing raw storytelling, fearless humor, and authentic perspectives to the stage.
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Bremerton Air Show 2026
July 11 - July 12, 2026
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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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