We're looking for a couple volunteers to come out This Saturday, May 6th, to help the Chamber serve breakfast at the Scott McLendon's Anniversary event.

It's a great opportunity to be involved and show support!

Call the Chamber office if you can come help!
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
News You Can Use
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're 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.
Special Member Promo Package
Join Us!
Business News
Online reviews can impact retailer's bottom line -...

Consumers view online reviews of brands and retailers as a two-way dialogue and want brands to participate. Shoppers also view ChatGPT and the Metaverse as opportunities for retail innovation. Those are top findings from a Chatmeter survey that...

Read more
washingtonretail.org
Washington state's new capital gains tax has raked in...

(The Center Square) - Washington state's capital gains tax - given the legal green light in March - has brought in almost $850 million, far exceeding initial expectations of bringing in at least $500 million a year for early childhood education...

Read more
www.thecentersquare.com
woman_grocery_shopping.jpg
The latest GDP report shows that businesses are cutting back on their inventories. But inflationary pressures haven't stopped consumers from spending--heralding another rate hike from the Fed.

Sarah Lynch of INC.com reports
Congress must reauthorize the Small Business Administration

Our country is experiencing an unprecedented growth in new business applications, demonstrating the grit of American entrepreneurs and the tenacity of the communities who support them. In 2021 alone, a record breaking 5.4 million new business...

Read more
www.uschamber.com
Find an Intern with the Washington Workforce Portal
Internship season is just around the corner. Is your company ready? Find the ideal internship candidate to start your business off on the right foot this new year. AWB Institute’s Washington Workforce Portal is a free platform that pairs Washington businesses offering internships, apprenticeships, and mentorships with Washington high-school and college students seeking real-world work experience. 
Learn more about how you can start using it today:  www.washingtonworkforceportal.org. 
4 Deceptively Easy Tips to Improve Customer Relations

Good customer service isn't something everyone is born knowing. While most of us have been customers the better part of our lives in one aspect or another, many of us don't take the time to stop and think what makes extraordinary customer service ...

Read more
skchamber.org
Community News
Public Comments Requested on Existing Comprehensive Plan Goals and Policies
Kitsap County is hard at work on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update as required by the Growth Management Act.

Public participation is an integral component of this effort, and so far input on previous topics such as growth alternatives has been very useful. At this time, staff requests public comment on existing Comprehensive Plan goals and policies.

Each chapter of the plan is available to explore online. Please provide input for each topic by scrolling to the comment box at the bottom of the individual chapter webpage.

Comments on multiple chapters can be emailed to compplan@kitsap.gov.
Legislature Adopts Final State Budgets; Tax Increase Proposals Die
Association of Washington Business
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.
Are You Hiring?
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
SHARE YOUR EVENTS WITH US!!

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