Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Important News for You
Governor Inslee Calls for Special Session
Lawmakers have 2nd chance to address drug possession
Published in the Kitsap Sun, May 3, 2023
Photo: Karen Ducey/The Seattle Times

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is calling lawmakers back to work after they rejected a bill setting out a new statewide drug policy — a development that has put the state on the brink of decriminalizing possession of fentanyl and other drugs while also depriving it of much-needed investments in public health.

Lawmakers adjourned their regular session late last month after voting down a bill that would keep drug possession illegal and boost services for people struggling with addiction. Many liberal Democrats objected to criminalizing drugs, while conservative Democrats and Republicans insisted they must be to provide incentive for people to enter treatment.

Inslee has called that unacceptable, and on Tuesday he set a special legislative session beginning May 16 to give them another chance.

Chamber News
Check out and like the
Greater Kitsap Chamber Facebook pages!
Bremerton GreenDrinks @ Gold Mountain Golf
Thursday, May 11, 2023, 5:00 pm
Ribbon Cutting: West Sound Youth for Christ
Friday, May 12, 2023, 4:00 pm
Celebrate Our Military Community!
Join Us Saturday May 20th in Downtown Bremerton
Armed Forces Festival Events Kick-Off with Return of Culinary Competition
Armed Forces Festival celebrations began on Saturday with the return of the Culinary Competition hosted at Olympic College. Awards were given across multiple categories of dishes, along with an overall winner.
May Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Don't forget to bring a raffle item for our monthly raffle benefitting the Chamber Scholarship Fund. Raffle tickets can be purchased with cash or you can be invoiced!
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!
Missed a previous edition of the Chamber's Community Connections?
View all the past issues on our website HERE.
Member News
New Members - Welcome to the Chamber!
Suitcases on Standby Travel
Did you know that Suitcases on Standby offers more than travel planning services for vacations? Here are some ways that Suitcases on Standby Travel can help your business or service organization.

We can create personalized travel nights just for your company, social group or civic organization. We absolutely love sharing information about different suppliers, and creating promotions around travel nights that are available just for you. We have relationships with area managers from multiple all-inclusive resorts, ocean cruise lines, and river cruise lines that can join in to add an extra layer of knowledge! 

Are you looking for a new way to reward employees? How about offering an incentive trip to a top producer or your entire organization? We can help you choose the right destination based upon your budget and preferences for the trip.

Looking for a unique place to host a sales training? How about bringing your team onboard a cruise? There are multiple West Coast options that range from a few nights to a week long cruise. If you want to travel further than the West Coast-based cruises, that truly opens up your options to different destinations and cruise lines. 

Want to increase business by creating a promotion that gives away a trip to customers? We can do that, too.

Suitcases on Standby is more than a booking engine. We work with individuals, couples, families and organizations to curate unique travel experiences.  Reach out today to schedule a coffee date to see how Suitcases on Standby can help with your travel needs.
Peaks Financial: Retirement Design Lab
The Secret to Building Your Ideal Retirement
Sound Publishing Opportunities
Member Spotlight
GKC Grant Spotlight: Ahoy Kitsap Playland
Small businesses are the lifeblood of any community, and Kitsap County, Washington is no exception. Rhonda Koh, the owner of Ahoy Kitsap Playland in Bremerton, is one of the 20 "Growing Greater Businesses" grant recipients in the area, and we spent some time this spring talking to Rhonda about her growing business.

Ahoy Kitsap Playland is an indoor playground for children aged 0-12. The playground is designed for children aged 6 and under and features a toddler area and a three-story jungle gym with various activities. Occupational therapists sometimes come to help children develop motor skills, and the playground is also a safe space for families, caregivers, and parents with newborns. Playland is free for babies under one year old, and it provides a safe environment for socialization and play for children of all ages. In the late afternoons and on weekends, older children come to play and use the virtual reality arcade.

5934 State Highway 303 NE | Bremerton, WA 98311 | (360) 479-7529
Education Committee
Member Education & Training Resources
KPHD: Kitsap Moves
Employers can help employees lead healthier lives
Matchstick Lab: Lunchtime Lightning Talks
Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 11:30 am
BYO lunch and arrive at 11:30 for conversation and networking.
Lightning talks begin at 12pm and end promptly at 1pm.
Advanced RSVP is requested but not required.
 
Vibe Coworks 19225 8th Ave NE Suite 201 Poulsbo, WA 98370
SBDC: Search Engine Optimization
Thursday, May 11, 2023, 11:00 am
We hear the acronym “SEO” all the time…but what exactly does that entail? This SEO 101 webinar will answer exactly that! We will talk through techniques for conducting basic keyword research that every business owner should do for their business. Next, we’ll review strategies for using those good keyword phrases that you’d like to be found by in order to demonstrate to search engines that your content is relevant, so that you may draw more traffic to your web site. Finally, we’ll cover how to set up your Google My Business page, and how to use all of the social media platforms where you have a presence, to improve your SEO. 
WA Hospitality Association: Live Webinar
The Hospitality Profit - Labor Management
Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 10:00 am
Military Relations Committee
Sign-Up Now for the Bremerton
Armed Forces Day Parade
Parade applications now available online!
A limited number of Information Booths at the Heroes BBQ are available for purchase. Please contact Tiffany for more information and to sign up now!
Business News & Resources
March Inflation Indicator Sees Another Increase

New federal inflation statistics reveal that inflation remains high even after a series of Federal Reserve Rate increases. The Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) index, a leading inflation indicator for the Federal Reserve, reported by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, experienced a 0.3% rise in March.

Compared to March of the previous year, the PCE price index saw a 4.2% increase, with a 1.6% increase in goods prices, a 5.5% increase in service prices, an 8.0% increase in food prices, and a 9.8% decrease in energy prices. The PCE price index, excluding food and energy, rose 4.6% from a year ago.

Although inflation has slowed from its peak during the Biden administration, economists point out that it remains high despite the Federal Reserve’s measures. Economist Peter Schiff tweeted that the continuous upticks in the core PCE provide further proof that the Fed’s rate hikes are insufficient to bring inflation back to 2% and, without significant reductions in government spending, may contribute to rising consumer prices.
BIPOC Business Forum
Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 5:30 pm
Join us May 17th at the Marvin Williams Center to be inspired, share your experiences, connect with resources and enjoy networking with fellow business owners and entrepreneurs!
 
Complimentary appetizers, networking and resource fair begin at 5:30 and program gets underway at 6pm. There is no fee to attend this event.
 
  • Featured Presentation -Building a Business of Value with business coach, mentor and consultant Wilton Waverly, CDE, ww.willwavvy.com.
  • Listening Sessions - What is going well for your business? Obstacles? What would be helpful to grow your business? Facilitated by Grant Twyman & Rachel Askew from NEXT Consulting Firm.
  • Resource Fair - Connect with local, regional and state organizations and technical services providers.
  • Networking - Enjoy complimentary appetizers while getting to know more about your community and the resources available to you.
WA Cares Basics:
What Businesses Need to Know
Thursday, May 18, 2023, 12:00 pm
In July, workers begin contributing to the WA Cares Fund. Is your organization ready?

Join us for the latest updates on the state’s long-term care insurance program and learn more about employer responsibilities. We’ll cover who contributes to the fund, who can get an exemption, how workers will meet contribution requirements and what kinds of benefits will be available.

Get your questions answered and find out where to go for more resources for businesses and workers.
Kitsap Employers Spring Job Fair
Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 10:00 am
If your business is struggling to find employees, WorkSource Washington's Spring Job Fair might be the solution. The event will be on Wednesday, May 24th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at WorkSource Kitsap, located at 3120 NW Randall Way in Silverdale.

If you are interested in hosting a table, please RSVP before May 12th. Call (360) 516-1001 or email businesskitsap@esd.wa.gov.

WorkSource is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Washington Relay Service: 711.
Applications Now Open for U.S. Chamber's
Small Business Awards Program
Apply Now thru July 7, 2023
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the launch of a new awards program for small businesses: America's Top Small Business! Applications for the program open today, May 4, 2023.
Formerly known as the Dream Big Awards, America’s Top Small Business (ATSB) aims to recognize small businesses doing big things in their industries and communities through innovation, job creation and a commitment to being an integral part of a thriving business ecosystem.
We’ll be choosing Top Small Businesses across America (10 in each of seven regions). The highest scoring business in each region will be named one of America’s Top Small Businesses and one finalist will win America’s Top Small Business of the Year Award — a $25,000 cash prize!
Find out everything you need to know about the ATSB program, including who is eligible to apply, how winners are chosen, important dates and deadlines, and more on our FAQ page
Nonprofit News & Resources
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.
Still Time to Register: Moving Boldly
May 17-19, 2023
Featured Funding Opportunity:
Volunteer Generation Fund
Applications due May 16, 2023, 5:00 pm EST
Community organizations wanting to strengthen volunteer recruitment and retention programs are invited to apply for a Volunteer Generation Fund, VGF grant.

Applicants that receive funding can carry out their own activities supported under the award or use it to make subgrants to other volunteer connector organizations. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Eastern time May 16.

The grant supports community-based volunteerism. VGF encourages grant applications include work plans that advance justice and equality in areas such as education, rural communities, access to food and healthcare, workforce development, elder justice, and living independently.
Greater Kitsap News
Kitsap County Parks: Work Parties
Play a vital role in sustaining our local parks!
"Voting Rights are Human Rights" Forum
Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 6:00 pm
COVID-19 Updates & Resources
Masks & COVID Testing Kits Available
Free at the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center
The Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management provides local businesses with free KN95 masks and COVID testing kits. Pick up your supply at both Greater Kitsap Chamber locations today. Available while supplies last.
Community Information
Kitsap Job Training & Education Classes
Registration Open May 8-18, 2023
Kitsap Caregiver Community Meeting
May 9, 2023
Upcoming meeting:
Wednesday, May 9, 5:30 pm to 7 pm: REGISTER HERE
Nature & Beaver Walks at Clear Creek
May 9 & 11, 2023
Kitsap County's Stormwater Division invites you to join us at the Clear Creek Trail to learn about stream restoration, native plants and beavers...their life cycle, habits, the benefits they provide and the challenges they create. Register online at kitsapbeaverwalkmay23.eventbrite.com. Our free Beaver Walks are scheduled for two dates: Tuesday, May 9 at 7:45 pm OR Thursday, May 11 at 7:45 pm.

We will meet at the Silverdale Rotary Gateway Park/Dog Park in the evening to maximize our chances of spotting a beaver. This event will be held rain or shine. Expect to walk approximately 1-2 miles. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and clothing appropriate to the weather. Bring binoculars (or night vision goggles if you have them!), a flashlight, and a portable chair if desired.

  • Please leave your four-legged friends at home so we don't scare the beavers.
  • Space is limited and registration is required.
Bremerton Community Farmers Market
Opening Day: Thursday, May 11, 2023, 4:00 - 7:00 pm
Bremerton Backpack Brigade Spaghetti Feed
Saturday, May 13, 2023, 4:00 pm
Register Now for Camp CSTOCK
Tourism Information
Advertising Opportunity:
Put Your Business on the Map
With nearly all 10,000 copies of last year's map distributed around the greater Puget Sound region, including 7,500 on our local ferries, the Greater Kitsap Visitor Center map is the place to advertise your business! The 2023 edition will include street maps of both Silverdale and Bremerton - perfect if you're new to the area or a long-time resident. Contact the Visitor Center for more information!
Admiral Theatre Presents:
Jim Messina
Thursday, May 18, 2023, 7:30 pm
An undisputed expert in the fine art of making hit music, Jim Messina’s legacy of musical genius spans five decades, three super groups, a vibrant solo career and scores of producing and engineering credits.
KCMT Presents: Shrek the Musical
Now thru May 21, 2023
Bremerton WestSound Symphony:
Opera on the Rhine
Sunday, May 21, 2023, 3:00 pm
Save-the-Date: Port of Bremerton Air Show
August 19 & 20, 2023
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events for Tuesday's Community Connections!
David Emmons
President/CEO
Irene Moyer
VP, Membership & Strategic Communications
Brenda Kelley
Tourism Coordinator
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.