Washington State Continues to Add Jobs |
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The Employment Security Department (ESD) recently reported that Washington added more than 12,000 jobs in April, with the vast majority of these jobs coming from private sector employers. ESD’s Economist, Paul Turek, commented, “Employers are continuing to hire at an impressively strong pace. The current pace of job growth is surprising given how tight the labor market is.”
Washington’s unemployment rate has dipped to 4.1%, slightly higher than the national 3.6% unemployment rate.
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Silverdale & Bremerton Luncheon
Tuesday, June 21, 2022, 11:30 am
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Renew your membership today to ensure your place as a Charter Member of the new Chamber! Questions about when to renew or how to upgrade your membership? Contact Irene now!
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Now is the time to reserve space for your business in the 2022 Silverdale and Bremerton Destination Guide. Participation is fast and easy, with our partners at Lunar Cow designing your ads if needed at no extra cost!
Enjoy great bang for your buck with 10,000 printed copies of this publication being distributed in the best locations (including 7,500 on WSDOT ferries) to help drive traffic to our advertisers, and our digital GoGuide® will allow you to reach thousands more. Your advertisement in the digital GoGuide® will be linked to your website, giving readers one-click access to your business.
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Have you answered our Chamber survey yet?
How many more employees does your business need to be able to serve your current customer demand?
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(Please choose one answer)
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*Survey questions are run for 2 consecutive weeks to capture all of our readers.
The Silverdale and Bremerton Chambers are committed to learning how best
to serve our business membership and community. Your participation
in poll questions like these help us to work better for you!
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Member of the Month: Jersey Mike's Subs |
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The Trails at Silverdale
11065 Pacific Crest Place NW
Silverdale, WA 98383
(360) 204-5181
Open 7 Days
10:00 am - 9:00 pm
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KEDA Member Event
Thursday, June 9, 2022, 4:00 pm
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Member Business Offers Website Assistance |
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CSTOCK Summer Camp Offerings |
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Do you have news you'd like to share about your business or organization?
We'd love to share! Please send information to Irene at the Chamber!
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With revenues of two billion dollars, Swire Coca-Cola, USA produces, sells and distributes Coca-Cola and other beverages in 13 states across the American West. The company’s territory includes parts of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Employing more than 7,200 associates the company's headquarters is in Draper, Utah. Swire Coca-Cola, USA is a subsidiary of Swire Pacific Limited (www.swirepacific.com) as part of its beverages division. |
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5001 Auto Center Boulevard
Bremerton, WA 98312
(360) 373-5900
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Member Education & Training Resources |
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Getting the Most from Your Member Portal |
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Keyword Optimization is a fundamental component of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The purpose of SEO, including Keyword Optimization, is to enhance the content search-ability of your business' digital real estate. Optimizing Keywords helps increase visibility of website pages, blogs, social profiles and posts, both within your platforms and through search engines.
Keyword Optimization Do's
PLAN PLAN PLAN your keyword strategy. Use tools like Google Adwords Keyword Planner, SEM Rush and Uber Suggest to discover the specific keywords and key phrases related to your business, industry, products, services, or the topic of your digital content that users actually search for.
OPTIMIZE EVERYTHING your business owns or publishes on the internet. Website pages, blog posts, product pages on-site or places like eBay and Etsy, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, even your Chamber Member Profile in GrowthZone. Optimize profiles, posts, blogs, articles and any other content piece you publish. Different customers search for businesses like yours in different ways, and not just on Google (but don't stop optimizing for Google.)
HEADERS, TEXT, TITLE & PAGE DESCRIPTION elements should always include your keywords, key phrases or synonyms. Keep your keyword density (the frequency of occurrence of keywords in a content piece) to about 2% of the total text or about twice per 100 words.
Keyword Optimization Don'ts
DON'T STUFF, HIDE or PROMOTE keywords to try and get ahead.
- Over optimizing or stuffing keyword happens when keyword or key phrase insertion is inflated, accidentally or intentionally. Stick to the 2:100 ratio for webpages and other more substantive content pieces and just once or twice in a profile section or social post.
- NEVER try to hide keywords in text in the same color as the background of a page or blog post (this is not 1999).
- Don't list out your keywords in meta tags. First, it does not help you and wastes time. Second, your keywords are pretty obvious to anyone who gets keywords. Don't make it any easier for your competitors to research your strategy than necessary.
DON'T ASSUME you know how your customers are searching. Search algorithms are tricky and users' language choices, including things as simple as basic synonyms or plural versus singular words, can make the difference between customers seeing your content or seeing your competitors. Use the keyword planning tools before you begin writing your content for the best results.
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Special Evening Workshop Time!
Tax Saving Strategies for Small Businesses
Wednesday, June 1, 2022, 6:00 pm
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Do you want to know the 10 top tax saving strategies small business owners use to reduce their Federal taxes on their businesses and themselves? Do you want to see how other small business owners have implemented these strategies to save lots of taxes? If you answered "yes", you need to attend this workshop designed to save you money!
Workshop Fee: $55
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Business News & Resources |
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Work-from-Home Revolution Yields
Opportunity for Local Small Businesses
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From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The start of the pandemic in early 2020 caused millions of Americans to begin working from home. Now two years later, a lot of those people plan to continue to work from home for most, if not all, of the work week.
The remote work trend has fueled one of the pivotal shifts in spending habits since the pandemic: The drift toward local shopping. Indeed, 75% of consumers plan to shop more locally over the next year, according to a study by digital operations platform Brightpearl.
Did you know: The Pew Research Center reported in February that 59% of employees with jobs that can be done at home are still working from home all or most of the time. Most of those workers said they are doing it by choice, not because their offices are closed.
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Getting Fired Takes Hard Work in this Economy |
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From The Wall Street Journal
To hold down a job these days, a worker seemingly needs one essential trait: a pulse.
Some jobs have always required little more than the ability to stay awake. In the tightest labor market in a half-century, people in higher functions may get by just going through the motions, too.
“You’d have to be incredibly lousy” to get fired as a software engineer at the moment, says David Cancel, who employs roughly 700 people as chief executive of Drift, a Boston-based marketing firm that uses artificial intelligence. “Most companies—and us, in some cases—are keeping people who wouldn’t be on the team in a looser market. The standards would be higher.”
Though some economists warn of a coming downturn, layoffs and discharges in recent months have registered at or near all-time lows, according to the Labor Department. Less than 1% of workers are getting pink slips, roughly half the norm, with job security especially sweet in finance, education, healthcare and the public sector.
The Wall Street Journal (tiered access)
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Does Cryptocurrency Make Sense as Compensation at Your Company? |
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Published in the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal
I was feeling excited offering a position to the candidate across from me. It’s so tough these days to get people to apply and show for an interview. Being at the offer stage was pretty thrilling.
“We pay either by direct deposit or through reloadable cash card. Which would you prefer so that I can provide you with the right paperwork?”
The candidate looked at me, surprised. “I want to be paid in crypto. What options do you have for me?”
Wait, what?
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Startup Market Validation Workshop
Tuesday, June 14, 2022, 11:30 am
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PSE Launches 2022 Nonprofit Grant Program |
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Local 501(C)3 nonprofit organizations and tribal governments who charitably serve the public within PSE’s 10-county service area are eligible.
Grant requests must demonstrate how funds will help rebuild, strengthen or establish efforts, contributing towards the resiliency of their program, organization and overall communities. Applicants may request grant awards ranging $5,000 - $15,000 for the giving priorities in the link below.
Deadline to apply: June 30, 2022
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Rep. Derek Kilmer Joins Commissioner Wolfe
and Central Kitsap Community Council
for Silverdale Event at the New Library
Friday, June 3, 2022, 2:00 pm
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Join Kitsap County Commissioner Ed Wolfe and the Central Kitsap Community Council in welcoming U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer to a special event from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 3 that will be held both in person at the new Silverdale Library, 3650 NW Anderson Hill Road, and virtually via Zoom.
Representative Kilmer will discuss topics including housing, infrastructure, education and mental health funding. The public will be invited to ask questions on any subject.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! To view the meeting agenda and find a link to the Zoom meeting, click here.
For more information, contact Katharine Shaffer in the Kitsap County Commissioners' Office at Kshaffer@kitsap.gov.
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Kitsap County to Accept Reclassification Requests for 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update |
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Kitsap County kicks off its 2024 Comprehensive Plan update this summer. The plan establishes the direction for Kitsap in addressing land use, environmental protections, employment, housing, transportation, and other facility and service priorities over the next 20 years. The Board of County Commissioners uses this document to guide decisions on policy, County Code and development review.
In an effort to expand public participation and receive specific requests for amendments as early in the process as possible, the Board is soliciting proposals for changes to the Comprehensive Plan including urban growth area sizing, property zoning, goals and polices, as well as County Code. Examples could include:
- Zoning changes that increase the amount of housing or development allowed on a property.
- Zoning changes that allow commercial or industrial uses on a property.
- Code changes that impact the development of certain uses in a specific area.
This will be just one of many opportunities for the public to participate in the 2024 update.
The period for submitting proposals begins June 6 and runs through August 18, 2022. Proposals will be reviewed for potential inclusion in land use alternatives or draft documents to be approved by December 31, 2024.
Land use change forms and a link to schedule a virtual appointment with staff to answer submittal and process questions, as well as other information, can be found here.
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The Kitsap Road Report is updated each week. This latest update was released on May 27, 2022. |
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Intermittent road closures on Bay Shore Drive NW and Washington Avenue NW for Sewer/Stormwater/Road improvement project.
Expect moderate delays on Central Valley Road NE between NE Fairground Rd and Foster Rd NE for a non-motorized improvements project. Single lane alternating closures with traffic control in place beginning on Tuesday. This project is scheduled to be completed in the Fall of 2022. For more information visit the project page.
Expect moderate delays on NW Holly Rd between Seabeck Holly Rd NW and Lake Tahuyeh Rd NW for roadway paint striping (weather dependent). Traffic will be limited to one lane alternating. Use detours or alternate routes. Click Here for more information on this project.
Crews are doing various maintenance activities at the location listed below. Expect moderate delays between 5 and 10 minutes:
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Seabeck Highway NW from Orange Ave NW to Holly Rd (TU-FR)
WSDOT Project Alert: Construction crews are working on the SR3 Chico Creek fish barrier removal project. Drivers traveling southbound who exit onto Chico Way NW near Bremerton will not be able to turn left toward Silverdale. All travelers will turn right towards Bremerton. This traffic change will be in place through fall 2023. For details and to sign up for WSDOT electronic updates, visit the WSDOT Project Page.
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COVID-19 Updates & Resources |
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COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing Resources |
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Kitsap County Health District is now posting a regularly updated list of COVID-19 vaccine providers in Kitsap County. This list can be found here.
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Virtual Community Workshop:
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
Thursday, June 2, 2022, 5:30 pm
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You’re invited!
We are excited to invite Snohomish, Pierce, Kitsap, and King County residents to participate in one of our interactive workshops. During this workshop, we want to hear about your experiences with air quality, air pollution, and climate change. Your involvement and input will help guide the Clean Air Agency’s strategic planning process and can help shape Agency priorities for the next five years.
Upcoming Community Workshops — click the links below to register:
Workshop Details:
- Where: Zoom (Link will be provided after registration)
- Compensation: $50 stipend for all participants not receiving other compensation for participating
- Number of participants: 45 spots per workshop (first come, first serve)
Note: If you are unavailable for the workshop in your county, or it is full, feel free to register for a different county. Please register for only one workshop.
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Silverdale Visitor Center |
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The Admiral Theatre Presents |
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The Everly Set
Friday, June 3, 2022, 7:30 pm
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Acclaimed singer-songwriters Sean Altman (founder Rockapella) and Jack Skuller (Disney Recording Artist) present the ultimate concert celebration of the legendary Everly Brothers. The Everly Set whisks your audience to 1957 when teens Phil and Don Everly first supercharged the sound of Rock’n’Roll with the sparkling harmonies that influenced The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, The Bee Gees, and the Eagles. With hits like Bye Bye Love, Wake Up Little Susie, Cathy’s Clown, All I Have To Do Is Dream, and When Will I Be Loved; and Everly versions of hits by Merle Haggard, The Beatles, Buddy Holly, and Simon & Garfunkel, The Everly Set’s vocals and keen wit will have your audience singing, laughing, and dancing in the aisles! |
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No Quarter: Led Zeppelin Legacy
Saturday, June 4, 2022, 7:30 pm
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This is a live concert taping and the main floor is standing room only. There are no tables on sale to the public. The balcony will be open for seating.
No Quarter - A Tribute to the Led Zeppelin Legacy is back at Bremerton’s Admiral Theatre! This is a “Celebration Day “ for Led Zeppelin fans. Named number one tribute by executive producer of Paul McCartney and mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine for keeping the torch going for Zeppelin’s music, No Quarter delivers the most authentic reenactment of the Legendary British Super Group Live in Concert.
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Day Trip from Silverdale: 7th Annual Kingston Kiwanis Brew Fest & Benefit Concert
Saturday, June 4, 2022, 5:00 pm
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Kitsap Forest Theater: Beauty & the Beast
Weekends, Now thru June 19, 2022
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Step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s modern classic, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, at the most magical of places – the Kitsap Forest Theater. This classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out.
Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, this version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice and book by Linda Woolverton. The original Broadway production ran for over 13 years and was nominated for 9 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Beauty and the Beast was last performed at KFT in 2008 and they are thrilled to bring this beloved show back to the theater. This “tale as old as time” is perfect for the entire family. “Be Our Guest” for this heartwarming tale of true love and transformation, filled with unforgettable songs and thrilling pageantry.
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Stay in the know with what's happening for events in Central Kitsap by checking out and liking Silverdale Visitor Center on Facebook!
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Have something to share? CLICK HERE to submit stories and
events for Tuesday's Community Connections!
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David Emmons
President/CEO
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Irene Moyer
Director of Member Relations
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Joe Barboza
Operations Manager
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Kate Cofer
Membership Coordinator
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Brenda Kelley
Tourism Coordinator
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