Clinton Chamber News

Quarterly Update

Hello Summer!

We're thrilled to bring you the latest from the Clinton business community — from upcoming events to member spotlights, resources, and connections that help us grow together.

Have Upcoming Events? Submit Your Events to our Member Supported Event Calendar on our website!

The Clinton Chamber actively participates in initiatives that strengthen community engagement and promote tourism. This season, we’re distributing 50,000 rack cards aboard two ferry routes, each featuring a QR code that directs visitors straight to our website, where the events calendar is prominently displayed on the homepage!

Explore upcoming happenings on our Member-Supported Event Calendar. If you’re hosting something, you can submit your own event directly to the Clinton Events Calendar to be featured on our homepage.

Submit Your Events!

Member Spotlight

Clinton Community Hall

For more than a century, the Clinton Community Hall has served as a gathering place for connection, conversation, and community on South Whidbey. Operated by dedicated volunteers, the Hall hosts events, meetings, celebrations, and educational opportunities that bring neighbors together.

Most recently, the Clinton Community Hall partnered with local organizations to host a Candidate Forum. The Clinton Community Council will host two nonpartisan candidate forums giving South Whidbey residents a chance to hear local candidates discuss the issues that matter most ahead of the August 4th Primary. Forums will be moderated by Michael Clyburn. Happening on Tuesdays, July 7 & July 14, 2026 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

This provides residents an opportunity to hear directly from candidates, ask questions, and engage in the democratic process.

Submit Your Questions by July 1st

Submit written questions to ask the candidates during the forum to info@clintoncommunitycouncil.org. No questions will be accepted after the deadline, and no questions will be taken from the audience during the forums.

Events like these highlight the Hall's ongoing commitment to fostering civic engagement and strengthening our community.

Whether it's a public forum, a fundraiser, or a community celebration, the Clinton Community Hall continues to be an essential space where Whidbey Island comes together.

Learn more about upcoming events and ways to get involved by visiting the Clinton Community Hall.

Visit their website

Chamber Updates

Welcome new member: The Clinton Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Clinton Grocery Outlet as our newest member!

Locally operated by Jonathan Crisp and Marc Pendell, Clinton Grocery Outlet is bringing affordable groceries, fresh products, and a strong commitment to community to South Whidbey. More than just a grocery store, they are dedicated to creating jobs, supporting local organizations, and becoming an active part of the Clinton community.

Join us as we celebrate their Grand Opening on Thursday, July 16, with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 10:00 AM. We invite the community to come out, meet the owners, and help officially welcome this exciting new addition to Clinton.

We're thrilled to have Clinton Grocery Outlet join our Chamber family and look forward to the positive impact they'll have on residents and visitors for years to come. Be sure to stop by and help us celebrate this exciting milestone for our community!

Business Tips & Resources

Cyber Security for Small Business

Date & Time: July 16, 2026

12:00 pm

Cost: $0.00

Cyber threats aren’t just a big-business problem — small businesses are increasingly targeted due to limited security resources and growing reliance on digital tools. This practical, easy-to-understand webinar will help small business owners and managers understand today’s most common cyber risks and how to protect their organization without needing a technical background.

Participants will learn how cyberattacks happen, what warning signs to watch for, and simple, cost-effective steps they can take to strengthen security. From phishing emails and ransomware to password management and employee training, this session focuses on realistic strategies you can implement immediately. Whether you run a local shop, nonprofit, or growing company, this webinar will empower you with the knowledge needed to reduce risk, protect customer data, and build a safer digital foundation for your business.

Hosted by: Eileen Dempsey

She has a Masters of Business Administration from Gonzaga University. She Mentors and teaches on the following topics: Business Plan, Customer Service, Management & Operations, Marketing, Product Development, Strategy Development, Accounting basics, and Technology.

Resources:

https://www.score.org/wa/spokane/business-education/cyber-security-small-business/

Community Highlights

Island Transit eyes Clinton Parking Lot

Island Transit is exploring the possibility of someday purchasing the state-owned park-and-ride lot at the Clinton ferry dock and building a transit station with a safer area for people to get on and off buses.

No parking stalls would be lost under the plan, but it would add a transit-only area with shelters for riders, additional bike lockers and a “comfort building” for bus drivers during layovers.

During a transit board meeting earlier last month, Executive Director Melinda Adams presented the latest details while a consultant, Jeff Lehman of the firm KPFF, showed the members a conceptual rendering of what the lot might look like. He said a central aim is to move the on-and-off loading of buses off of Highway 525 and into the park-and-ride lot.

Clinton Terminal Passenger Overhead Loading Improvement

WSF began planning for Clinton terminal overhead loading in early 2026 and aims to complete a pre-design study by early 2027. The project will evaluate options for a new overhead loading structure and second-level passenger waiting area.

WSF is also bringing electrification to the Clinton ferry terminal. Through the System Electrification Program, the Clinton/Mukilteo route will receive a new hybrid-electric 160-vehicle capacity ferry by 2030. The Clinton terminal electrification project will install a new power line that will connect to the terminal and supply power to charge the future hybrid-electric vessel that will serve this route.

Project benefits:

Provide a connection for passengers on the Clinton/Mukilteo route
Improve safety and access for riders walking or rolling onto the ferry
Reduce wait time during vessel loading and offloading by allowing vehicles and passengers to load and offload at the same time
Reduce vessel fuel consumption during vessel loading and offloading

Clinton's Proposed 10-Foot-Wide Paved Footpath from the Ferry to Ken's Corner Development is being included in multiple planning projects.

The proposed Clinton to Ken's Corner Trail is a two-mile, 10-foot-wide paved multi-use path stretching along SR-525 from the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry terminal to the Ken's Korner area. The multi-million dollar infrastructure project aims to increase pedestrian safety and cycling connectivity.

The project has completed significant engineering design milestones (ranging from 60% to 90% development) in tandem with the SR-525 Clinton Park-and-Ride improvements. It's backed by over $3.5 million in earmarked state legislative and federal funding.

While planning documents originally targeted earlier dates, ongoing funding consolidation and alignment with WSDOT requirements dictate the execution timeframe.

It's expected to improve business access and foot traffic for commercial nodes and regional amenities.

Thank you for keeping your dues up to date!

Thank you to everyone who has already renewed their 2026 membership dues! Your support helps us continue the work we do for our members and community.

If you haven’t had a chance to renew yet, there’s still time! You can easily take care of your dues online at our newly designed website!