Port Orchard GreenDrinks

Join us for a Networking Event!

Meet a few new Chamber Members and network with other participating Chamber Members. We are very excited to be able to offer these types of luncheon programs as they are well received and well attended, not to mention, quite fun!

Would you like to participate and showcase your business at this event?

Contact the Chamber office about reserving your Networking Space today!

Deadline to reserve your space is October 2nd - Limited Availability.

Thursday, October 12th @ 11:00am

Hosted by: First Christian Church

Catered by: That One Place

(Please make your lunch order during registration)

Fee: $20 for members, $25 for non-members, $10 for program only-no lunch

$50 for Networking Space (Sponsors and New Members, Please contact the office directly for your free space)

REGISTRATION FOR LUNCH ORDERS ENDS 10/9/23 @ 8:00am

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Do you have a special promotion, new product, or anything else you want to celebrate, let us know. We can highlight it here in our newsletter!

• Opening Your Small Business: 10 Things You Shouldn’t Forget   Biz Small Biz

• 10 Best Social Media Interaction Posts  Search Engine Journal

• 9 Ways to Build a Better Brand Reputation   Local iQ

• U.S. consumer confidence declines in August WA Retail Association

• 3 Things My Friend Jimmy Buffett Taught Me About Life and Business   Inc.com

Washington State Small Business Fair

The Washington State Small Business Fair, also known as Biz Fair, is returning September 23, 2023.

Biz Fair is a free, annual event for current and aspiring small business owners to learn about the programs, resources, and technical assistance available to help start and grow a small business.

Biz Fair is the longest running all government and non-profit-run small business fair in Washington State. There will be events in two locations on the same day:

Date

• Saturday, September 23, 2023

Location

• Pierce College, Puyallup
• Women's Club of Spokane, Spokane

For details and registration visit www.bizfair.org

BIPOC Business Forum

October 25th | 5pm to 8pm

Marvin Williams Center

725 Park Ave, Bremerton

• Featured speaker: Jenefeness Franke, MBA
• Panel Discussion: Access to Capital
• Listening Sessions - Your business financing challenges? Creative Solutions and advice from lenders & business counselors
• Resource Fair - Connect with local and regional lenders and business experts
• Networking - Enjoy complimentary appetizers while getting to know more about your community and the resources available to you

No Cost Event - Register Here

Credit Card Processing

Understanding Fees and More

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Mastercard and Visa are planning to increase their transaction fees, which could take effect as early as October.

The article cites a consultancy called CMSPI, which predicts that the hike could cost restaurants and other merchants an additional $502 million in swipe fees per year. The charges levied on merchants accepting Mastercard and Visa charge cards amounted to $93 billion last year, according to Nilson Report, a business newsletter.

The restaurant association estimates that the cost of swipe fees has more than doubled over the last decade, resulting in a 2022 cost of $160 billion. This increase in swipe fees could lead to an additional cost of $1,000 per household for consumers.

Restaurants and retailers would have to decide whether to absorb the fee increase or pass on the additional cost to customers. This decision is particularly challenging given that menu prices have already been affected by food and labor inflation.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has shared a Guide to Understanding Credit Card Processing which outlines some key factors:

• What is Credit Card Processing and How Does it Work.
• Processing Fees and Pricing Structures
• Payments and Merchant Bank Settlements
• Choosing a Processing Company

Self-Inspection Checklist - Make Workplaces Safes

Find checklists for ergonomics, infection control plans, young workers, workplace violence, and more

The OSHA/NIOSH Small Business Safety and Health Handbook has recently added a wide assortment of self-inspection checklists to help keep your workplaces safe and educated.

The new checklists are part of a collection of general industry checklists that small businesses can use as a starting point to identify workplace hazards

and take action to make their businesses safer for their workers. The handbook also highlights the benefits of implementing your required safety and health program and reviews key safety and health resources for small businesses.

Big Changes to Downtown Parking During Construction

As downtown Port Orchard undergoes a number of upgrades, there will be a strain on access and parking in downtown. The City of Port Orchard and the Port of Bremerton remain dedicated to making sure that the changes have minimal impact on the businesses and residents.

Parking downtown may be constantly and frequently changing. The Port and the City are working together and the Chamber will be supporting both organizations in helping to get the word out. The Port of Bremerton has created a website: https://www.portofbremerton.org/marina-parking to outline the current parking plan and will update the website as things progress.

The Chamber will also be sharing updates on a regular basis. This current map outlines the parking situation as of Thursday September 14^th. There will be a number of commuter parking spaces available for hourly parking in the designated Marina Permit Parking Area.

Stay tuned for updates. 

Candidate Meet & Greets

These meet and greets will be an unmoderated opportunity for candidates to talk with voters in a relaxed environment. We do not believe that a "sit down forum" can do justice to the issues and we don't want to limit the public opportunity to talk with each candidate.

You are welcome to attend one, or both events as we know that with scheduling conflicts not all candidates will be able to attend both.

The South Kitsap Chamber of Commerce does not endorse candidates. We encourage our members and the community to be informed voters. Our goal is to provide information that can be used in making informed decisions.

SKSD Bond Information

The Chamber will be hosting an Information Forum for the South Kitsap School District Bond on October 11th.

Please join us at 6:00pm at Whiskey Gulch (upstairs) to learn what a Bond really means for the SKSD.

This is a free event, open to everyone.

School districts do not receive funding for school construction and are reliant upon community support through voter approved bonds.

South Kitsap's last successful bond measure was 35 years ago and was used to build Sidney Glen Elementary, Hidden Creek Elementary, and Mullenix Ridge Elementary. Every site in South Kitsap School District is in need of improvement.

SKSD is hoping to address the most urgent school rebuilding and renovation needs without overburdening local taxpayers.

This Bond is the first step to address all district sites over the next several years.

It will replace five schools, eliminate 43 portable classrooms, renovate the oldest section of South Kitsap High School, and make safety upgrades and improvements districtwide.

The Bond is for $271 million over 21 years with a goal to return local school taxes to the 2022 rate. The Bond will be considered by voters in November 2023. 

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