PLEASE NOTE: The Chamber offices (including the licensing department)
will be closed on Thursday, November 11th in observance of Veteran's Day
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS
2ND ROUND OF BUSINESS WASTE REDUCTION MEASURES
UP BEFORE COUNCIL TONIGHT
After months of prep by a taskforce of councilmembers and leaders in the local business and environmental communities, an additional set of Waste Reduction ordinance updates enter the public discussion phase this evening with a view to becoming active in 2023.

COBI VOTES ON B&O TAX RELIEF FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES
In the footsteps of House Bill 1095, City Council will vote tonight to exempt monies received from COVID Assistance Grants (as well as PPP Loans that were forgiven) from local Business and Occupation taxes.

This is intended to allow Bainbridge businesses to receive the full value of any economic assistance granted to them, without the burden of taxation.

BCF RECOGNIZES 25,000 DOSE, 25,000 VOLUNTEER-HOUR ISLAND VACCINATION EFFORT WITH HUMANITARIAN AWARD
More than 25,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccination have now been distributed via Bainbridge - thanks to the combined efforts of multiple island organizations, the city, and hundreds of community volunteers.

On November 4, the Bainbridge Community Foundation spotlighted and recognized all the amazing work that has gone into keeping us all as safe as possible with both an award and the premiere of a new video.

FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WILL BRING $8.6 BILLION TO WASHINGTON STATE
Some local details of the plan approved by Congress on Friday:

  • $4.7B for highways
  • $1.8B for public transport
  • $605M for bridges
  • $385M for airports
  • $100M for broadband access
  • $71M for electric vehicle charging stations

ELECTION UPDATE: 3 DECISIVE RESULTS, 1 CLOSE RACE
Initial results of this week's General Election are in - and in three of the four City Council races, there is a clear winner.

Voter turnout so far on Bainbridge was 55%, by far the highest in Kitsap County.

Latest results as of Monday 11/8:

North Ward - District 2
Brenda Fantroy-Johnson 76%
Chris Smith 24%

North Ward - District 7
Joe Deets 71%
Ron Peltier 29%

Central Ward - District 5
Clarence Moriwaki 77%
Rasham Nassar 23%

In the remaining race, 273 votes currently separate the candidates:

South Ward - District 3
Jon Quitslund 51.41%
Kent Scott 48.59%

Final results will be certified by the Kitsap County Elections Canvassing Board on November 23.

HAVE YOU BEEN VISITED BY OUR BAINBRIDGE BUSINESS AMBASSADORS?
Over the past couple of weeks, ambassadors from the Chamber (in partnership with BIDA, Zero Waste, and COBI staff) have been roaming the island.

They have been checking in, offering support, and sharing insights with all local businesses who will be affected by the 1st round of COBI waste reduction measures (that will go into effect on January 1, 2022).

If your food/drink service establishment has not yet been visited, please let our staff know, and we will get you on the list...

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 20 UNDER 40 CLASS OF 2022
Do you know a rising star?

The Chamber wants to help identify Island business leaders under the age of 40 who are making an impact in business, philanthropy, and in their communities.

Nominees should be top leaders in their organization and industry and demonstrate their commitment to the Kitsap community.

Nominations are due by Nov. 19, and Nominees must be 39 years of age or younger through January 30, 2022

KITSAP BUSINESS QUESTION OF THE WEEK
The 6 Chambers of Commerce in Kitsap County are asking the same question of our members to provide both local and county-wide insight into what our business community is currently experiencing...


This Week's Question:
In the current climate, which of the following attributes are important to you as a consumer when shopping online? Please select your top 3.

Last Week's Results:
In the current climate, which of the following attributes are important to you when shopping in physical stores? Please select your top 3.
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND ANSWERS
KITSAP COUNTY-WIDE ANSWERS
BONUS NATIONWIDE US ANSWERS
Sample size: 136 local business owners
National data from PwC.com Global Consumer Insights Pulse Survey
BUSINESS EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
KITSAP DIGITAL HOUR
Wednesday November 10, 11am

SPEND LOCAL! It's up to 3x more effective at keeping dollars local, and SO important to #smallbusiness.

Join KEDA tomorrow to hear about Bainbridge's online General Store, a digital "wedding-style" registry for small businesses, and a Bremerton Eco Co that's soap-er...

SEO,SEM & SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISING
Tuesday November 16, 1pm

Learn the basics of SEO, Google Ads, and social media advertising and how these modern marketing techniques need to be part of your marketing plan. Presented by Katie Crain of Urban Sherpa Marketing and hosted by Kitsap Economic Development Alliance. No cost to attend.

50+ FREE TRAINING SESSIONS: GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP MONTH
Whether you’re a first-time business owner or a seasoned vet who needs a refresh, there’s something for everyone during Global Entrepreneurship Month (GEM).

The Washington State Department of Commerce is hosting a series of more than 50 online classes, workshops and interactive sessions throughout November.

In addition to the live sessions, there is also an on-demand, pre-recorded content library online at the state’s Entrepreneur Academy.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING NEWS
VISIT BAINBRIDGE WANTS TO HELP PROMOTE YOUR HOLIDAY EVENTS
Do you have a special Island event that is happening during the holidays?

The destination marketing team at Visit Bainbridge would like to help you promote your event with local and regional press coverage and event listings

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND GENERAL STORE IS HERE ONLINE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
As Island vendors make their preparations for the holidays, this is a reminder to submit up to 5 products per business for free. The store is here to help showcase the best of your business and the best of Bainbridge once again.

In 2020, more than 5,000 General Store visitors clicked through to buy Bainbridge more than 1,500 times...

BE A PART OF THE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE AT SHOP.EAT.SPEND.KITSAP
Do you have an item or product that you make/sell that would make a special holiday gift?

Submit it for consideration in this free upcoming holiday gift guide for Kitsap-based businesses.


Shop.Eat.Spend.Kitsap is a partnership of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance and the six Kitsap Chambers of Commerce.
MEMBER & COMMUNITY EVENTS
A CALENDAR MOMENT: CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND TURNS 30
Thirty years ago (on Nov. 5, 1991), voters approved changing the name of our city from City of Winslow to City of Bainbridge Island.

The moment will be celebrated with a proclamation at tonight's council meeting, and commemorated with a new video detailing the process by which Bainbridge became an all-island government..

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE AT MODERN COLLISION
This month, your generosity can also net you special discounts on auto repairs.

Bring non-perishable food and toiletry donations and quality for those thank you discounts at Modern Collision Rebuild & Service at 9270 Miller Road in Island Center.

Call 206-842-8053 for more details
LOCAL COVID UPDATES
VACCINATION CLINICS THIS WEEKEND FOR 5 TO 11-YR-OLDS, ADULT BOOSTERS
In partnership with the Bainbridge Island Fire Department, Bainbridge Prepares, and the Bainbridge Island Community Pharmacy, the City will be holding 2 special vaccination clinics this weekend at the Commodore Options Lower Gym.

On Saturday 11/13: A pediatric clinic ONLY for 5 to 11-year-olds to receive initial vaccinations

On Sunday 11.14, An adult clinic ONLY for Moderna/Pfizer boosters


KITSAP, ISLAND COVID RATES FALL AGAIN
COVID-19 cases in Kitsap County overall have fallen again this week to 93 cases per 100,000 residents, the lowest number since July.

That sees our county number finally falling below the 100/100k mark which represents the highest rate of transmission. Kitsap is still however an area of 'substantial' transmission.

Island numbers are down to 32 cases per 100,000 (moderate transmission), with local vaccination rates now reaching 85%.

Since the start of the pandemic have been 624 total cases on the Island, 4 of them new since last week.

To reach 'low' transmission, the magic number must fall below 10 cases/100,000 residents.

FREE SIGNS, MASKS, HAND SANITIZER FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS
With the support of the City, County, and Bainbridge's own Breath Café, the Chamber still has fresh supplies of N95 masks, disposable masks, and hand sanitizer available for free to all public-facing Island business and nonprofit organizations.

We also have free posters available to help businesses make it clear to all customers that masks are required for entry at their location.

To grab yours, give us a call, stop by our offices, or simply email us - we are here to help...