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Join us in welcoming two New Members to the Chamber...
Welcome Aboard!!
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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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Member Promotional Package | | |
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Save 50% with this Promotional
Package Deal!
Contact the Chamber office today for more information and to get your package savings!
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South Kitsap Business Bits | |
SKFR Volunteer Association Spaghetti Feed
It's that time of the year again!
Please come out and join SKFR Volunteer Association for their annual Fire House Spaghetti Feed.
This event will be held at Station 8 on Saturday October 14th, 2023 from 4pm until 7:30pm.
Seniors $7, Adults $8, Children $6 (Children under 3 are free)
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Kitsap Bank "From Shred to Fed"
“From Shred to Fed” event in Port Orchard, October 7th 9:00am - Noon.
Bring your sensitive or outdated documents for safe destruction, and support your local food bank at the same time with a monetary donation!
All proceeds will go toward the South Kitsap Helpline.
Thank you for helping address food insecurity in our community.
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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! | | |
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Business Health Trust
Do you wish the experience of purchasing and administering health insurance and other benefits were less frustrating, confusing, and impersonal?
We do, too.
Luckily, our partner, Business Health Trust, does insurance differently.
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BHT’s focus is on helping small and mid-sized businesses in Washington stay competitive with access to cost-effective, quality insurance plans from major carriers. Add to that an ever-expanding list of additional financial and wellness benefits for employees and cost-saving programs for employers, along with friendly local staff to help you navigate insurance all year long.
Experience for yourself insurance done differently.
Email quote@businesshealthtrust.com to learn more and get a free quote.
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Recap of Our September Business Resource Fair Luncheon | |
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At our most recent Chamber Luncheon, we had the privilege of hosting several Business Resource providers. Chamber members and guests were able to explore each booth and gain insights into the programs and opportunities offered by our presenters.
The event featured a wide range of resources and topics, including the Business Diversity Program from the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, Small Business Mentoring provided by SCORE, Business and Cooperative Programs at USDA, and even the office of Congressman Derek Kilmer.
Additionally, we had the opportunity to hear from esteemed organizations such as the SBDC, WorkSource, SBA, ORIA, KEDA, KPUD and DOR.
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South Kitsap Chamber to Host National Civics Bee in Kitsap County | |
The South Kitsap Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce that it will be hosting the National Civics Bee in Kitsap County in partnership with the United States Chamber of Commerce.
The National Civics Bee is a fun competition for 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students that aims to encourage and promote greater civic knowledge among young people and their families. The competition also energizes the community with a celebration of civic pride.
Students from South Kitsap have the potential win cash prizes and may even be chosen to compete at the National Finals in Washington D.C., so it’s an excellent opportunity for them to showcase their knowledge and skills.
Additionally, we are seeking volunteers, sponsors and speakers to participate in this exciting and educational experience.
Your participation in a national civics bee can be beneficial in helping
you build a positive reputation in the community by demonstrating your commitment to promoting civic education and engagement among young people, provide you with an opportunity to connect with potential customers and clients who are interested in supporting civic initiatives, and promote the relationships with local schools and educational organizations, which can lead to future partnerships and collaborations.
For more information contact the Chamber office.
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New Member Ribbon Cuttings | | |
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
We have a couple of upcoming ribbon cuttings for new members next month:
- October 10th - MultiCare Behavioral Health, 12p-2p
- October 20th - Green Earth Landscape Management, TBA
Once details are finalized, we will share more information. In the meantime, please add these date to your calendar.
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3 Solutions to Common Hiring Problems | Some businesses are saying we are in the midst of a secondary pandemic. But it's not the kind that requires masks and handwashing. No, this one is harder to control. There is a dearth of people willing (or able) to work for a multitude of reasons. | | | |
Small Business Weekly Forecast | Every week the U.S. Chamber's Vice President of Small Business Policy Tom Sullivan summarizes the latest data and what it means for the health of America's small businesses. | | | |
USDA Seeking Applications for Loans and Grants | |
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that USDA is accepting applications for loans and grants to expand access to new and better markets for rural small business owners and microentrepreneurs.
The Department is making approximately $29 million available in funding through the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP).
USDA provides RMAP funding to non-profits, Tribes, colleges and universities to create revolving loan fund programs and support training and technical assistance for rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises. Rural businesses with 10 or fewer full-time employees are eligible for loans and technical assistance.
Applications must be submitted to the USDA Rural Development State Office where the project is located no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the following dates:
• First Quarter: Sept. 30, 2023
• Second Quarter: Dec. 31, 2024
• Third Quarter: March 31, 2024
• Fourth Quarter: June 30, 2024
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact their local USDA Rural Development State Office ( https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices) well in advance of the application deadline to ask questions about their project, the program or the application process.
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Big Changes to Downtown Parking During Construction | |
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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 14th. There will be a number of commuter parking spaces available for hourly parking in the designated Marina Permit Parking Area.
Stay tuned for updates.
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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.
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Join us on September 28th for our first 2023 Candidate Meet and Greet, starting at 5:30 at the Port Orchard Market in Downtown Port Orchard.
This will be an opportunity to meet with candidates and ask them your questions.
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Join us on October 26th for our second 2023 Candidate Meet and Greet, starting at 5:30 at Whiskey Gulch on Bay Street
This will be an opportunity to meet with candidates and ask them your questions.
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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. | | |
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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.
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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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SHARE YOUR EVENTS WITH US!!
Everyone!
Members, non-members, your club, your church, 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.
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Scarecrow Contest starts on October 18th!
Are you planning your scarecrow!? You can display it at the Port Orchard Market or in your place of business. Be a part of this fun fall promotion. Put your scarecrow together, then get your customers to come down and check it out and vote for yours! If you don't have a storefront -pair up with another member who does and put that scarecrow together! Entry forms will be available online at www.pobsa.com
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South Kitsap Chamber Of Commerce
360.876.3505
1014 Bay St. #3 Port Orchard, WA 98366
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