Mark you calendars for the 4th annual Kitsap County Cornhole Classic coming August 12th
Chamber News
May Luncheon

Please note that we will be meeting the THIRD Thursday in May as Chamber Staff will be out of town during our normally scheduled luncheon days to attend the AWB Spring Grassroots Meeting and Chamber Master training course

Thank you for your understanding!

When: May 18th at 11:00am

Program: Dave Mastin, Vice President of Government Affairs at AWB, joins us to discuss the 2023 legislative recap from a business standpoint

Hosted by: First Christian Church

Catered by: Whiskey Gulch
GreenDrinks
Are you interested in hosting a GreenDrinks event?
Find more information on our website
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Interested in Serving on the Chamber Board?
The Chamber will soon have a couple of vacancies on the Board of Directors. The Chamber Board is responsible for oversight of the Chambers' mission and for making sure we are working for our members.

If you may be interested in being a board member, give the office a call and we'd be happy to sit down with you and discuss what the responsibilities of a board member are.
News You Can Use
Join Us TOMORROW
Business News
Employment Security Resources for Businesses

Washington State Employment Security Department offers many benefits to businesses. Besides the unemployment benefits they offer to unemployed workers, they can help Washington State businesses find and train new employees. Programs like YesVets...

Read more
skchamber.org
Small Business Resources from the IRS
Even though Small Business Week was April 30-May 6, 2023 we'd like to share some great resources that the IRS has put together to support businesses.


You can check out an entire menu of different resources from the IRS Small Business Week webpage:
Courting the Millennial Customer
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If you are in a traditionally “cool” business, like a coffee shop, indy bookstore, or juice bar, it’s likely you have scads of skinny jean-wearing hipsters hanging around your store. But if you’re reading this article, most likely you don’t but you know you need them.

There are roughly 75.3 million Millennials in the United States. This number outranks the 74.9 million Baby Boomers. For a successful future, your business needs the younger generation. Here’s how you can get their attention and keep it.
Kitsap Employers Spring Job Fair
Contribute to the success of our community! You are invited to participate in the WorkSource spring job.
Please RSVP quick – spots will go fast

The event will be on May 24th from 10am to 2pm at WorkSource Kitsap at 3120 NW Randall Way in Silverdale.
 
Requirements: A WorkSourceWA.com employer account with jobs posted. Account Sign-up
 
Please RSVP for a table Before May 12th by email at Businesskitsap@esd.wa.gov or Call 360-516-1001- Business Services Team at option 3, or the Front Desk at option 7
 
KEDA BIPOC Business Forum
KEDA and partners are hosting a BIPOC Business Forum on May 17th at the Marvin Williams Center in Bremerton
Get to know more about your community and the resources available to you! Kitsap Economic Development Alliance and Kitsap SBDC are inviting you to an event that will inspire you, connect you with resources, and help you grow your business. Join Grant Twyman & Rachel Askew from NEXT Consulting Firm for an evening of networking and learning. get to know more about your community and the resources available to you.

Our featured presentation is "Building a Business of Value" with business coach, mentor and consultant Will Waverly. You'll also have the opportunity to participate in listening sessions to discuss what's going well for your business, obstacles, and what would be helpful for growth. And don't forget to check out the resource fair, where you can connect with local, regional, and state organizations and technical service providers.

Complimentary appetizers, networking and resource fair begin at 5:30 and program gets underway at 6pm. There is no fee to attend this event. get to know more about your community and the resources available to you. This event is not to be missed!

Learn more and register https://kitsapeda.me/BIPOC23 See you there!
Community News
Legislature Adopts Final State Budgets; Tax Increase Proposals Die
Operating budget: The House and Senate struck a compromise and passed a $69.8 billion two-year operating budget on Sunday. The House passed the budget 58-40 and the Senate 37-12.
 
  • The budget adds about $4.7 billion in new spending and leaves about $3 billion total reserves. It includes significant funding increases for K-12 education, special education, behavioral health, and housing and homelessness. Read more in The Seattle Times. 

Tax proposals die: Proposals to increase the real estate excise tax (REET) and raise the annual cap on local property tax growth were left out of the final budget. AWB helped lead the effort to oppose the REET measure and its added housing costs. 

  • AWB and a broad coalition of business leaders sent a letter last week to House members urging them to vote no on the REET measure. The bill would have raised the state’s tax rate to the highest in America.

Capital budget: Meanwhile, the Legislature unanimously passed a separate $9 billion capital budget. The budget will fund construction projects for the biennium that begins in July. The Washington Research Council breaks down the final budget. 

  • The capital budget will infuse $400 million into the state’s Housing Trust Fund for affordable housing around the state. This is more money allocated for the fund than ever before. 

Transportation budget: The Legislature also adopted a $13.5 billion transportation budget. The budget maintains commitment to the Connecting Washington projects for the next six years. The final budget does not include additional bonding authority, which was originally proposed by the Senate.

  • Lawmakers dedicated about $970 million in Climate Commitment Act funds to various programs, including $120 million toward a medium- and heavy-duty clean truck incentive program. This program was a top transportation priority for AWB, as commercial fleets begin to transition to cleaner vehicles and infrastructure.
  • There are concerns in the medium- and long-term about revenue projections and workforce challenges. These will be topics to watch in future budget cycles.
KCR Job Fair
Chamber Scholarship Opportunities
The South Kitsap Chamber of Commerce is proud to offer three scholarships available to graduating seniors from the South Kitsap School District.

We will be offering two $500 Scholarships for students pursuing additional education in business or trade, and one scholarship for a student who has demonstrated a commitment to the South Kitsap Community through service and volunteering. 

You can download the applications on our website. 

Applications are due back to the Chamber office by May 16th at 5:00 pm.
Port Orchard Events
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Everyone!
Members, non-members, your club, your business... Everything!

Visit www.portorchardevents.com and share upcoming summer events

Share this link so everyone knows where to go to find or promote an upcoming event.
Upcoming Events
South Kitsap Chamber Of Commerce
360.876.3505
1014 Bay St. #3 Port Orchard, WA 98366