The holidays are almost upon us and the Island’s destination marketing organization has exciting news to share...

Visit Bainbridge has teamed up with two of our region’s most watched news outlets to deliver a new high-visibility holiday ad campaign for our community.

As expected, an additional set of 4 business waste reduction measures were unanimously passed at last week's council meeting.

After months of negotiation by a task force of councilmembers + local leaders in the business and environmental communities, the additional changes will not come into effect until 2023, and are supported by a robust system of exceptions, exemptions, education and plans for financial business support.

In the footsteps of House Bill 1095, City Council voted to exempt monies received from COVID Assistance Grants (as well as PPP Loans that were forgiven) from local Business and Occupation taxes.

This is intended to allow Bainbridge businesses to receive the full value of any economic assistance granted to them, without the burden of taxation.

Yakima-based Kwik Lok continues to research new plant-based plastics for its food packaging products.

They are one of several manufacturers in WA who presciently recognized that tighter regulations for plastic packaging are right around the corner at both the state and local level (see above!)

Over the past couple of weeks, ambassadors from the Chamber (in partnership with BIDA, Zero Waste, and COBI staff) have been roaming the island.

They have been checking in, offering support, and sharing insights with all local businesses who will be affected by the 1st round of COBI waste reduction measures (that will go into effect on January 1, 2022).

If your food/drink service establishment has not yet been visited, please let our staff know, and we will get you on the list...

Thursday is a big day for supporters of increasing the diversity of housing on Bainbridge.

The Planning Commission will consider an extension of the Housing Design Demonstration Projects program and also review the recent increased density bonus for affordable housing located on property owned by a

religious organization approved by City Council last month.

While the County won't certify the election until next Tuesday, the unofficial results are now clear enough for the City Manager to prepare for the transition of two new Council members.

Jon Quitslund, who succeeds Christy Carr in Position 3, is scheduled to take office after the election results are certified Nov. 23. He will serve what is referred to as the "short term" until the end of 2021, and then a full four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2022.

In Position 5, Mayor Rasham Nassar’s term will now expire on Dec. 31, and Clarence Moriwaki's will start on Jan. 1, 2022 for a full four-year term.

Councilmember Brenda Fantroy-Johnson secured the Position 2 seat that she has been serving in as an appointed Councilmember. She will now serve the remainder of the unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2023.

Do you know a rising star?

The Chamber wants to help identify Island business leaders under the age of 40 who are making an impact in business, philanthropy, and in their communities.

Nominees should be top leaders in their organization and industry and demonstrate their commitment to the Kitsap community.

Nominations are due by Nov. 19, and nominees must be 39 years of age or younger on January 30, 2022.

·   The passionate mindset

·   The value of consistency and value

·   Free tools to grow your business

Tory Felkey is the founder of All Media Internet Marketing and operates the Bainbridge Island General Store as a Chamber partner.

The Seattle Chamber of Commerce presents this free webinar to help you and your staff feel confident enforcing COVID rules and policies with your customers.

Topics include keeping cool during challenging situations and best practices for verbal de-escalation.

Join U.S. Bank financial expert Nadine Seivert, as she is joined by Deluxe’s Amanda Brinkman to expand on the advice and guidance she provides to small businesses in season six of the hit TV series, Small Business Revolution.

Whether you’re a first-time business owner or a seasoned vet who needs a refresh, there’s something for everyone during Global Entrepreneurship Month (GEM).

The Washington State Department of Commerce is hosting a series of more than 50 online classes, workshops and interactive sessions throughout November.

In addition to the live sessions, there is also an on-demand, pre-recorded content library online at the state’s Entrepreneur Academy.

The holidays, and especially Small Business Saturday, are a golden opportunity to be better connected with our local community. 

From tips on welcoming new customers to the power of cross-promotion, Bob Phibbs (The Retail Doctor) provides insights in his latest blog of how retailers can prepare for 2021's Small Business Saturday - coming up soon on November 27.

As Island vendors make their preparations for the holidays, this is a reminder to submit up to 5 products per business for free. The store is here to help showcase the best of your business and the best of Bainbridge once again.

In 2020, more than 5,000 General Store visitors clicked through to buy Bainbridge more than 1,500 times...

Do you have an item or product that you make/sell that would make a special holiday gift?

Submit it for consideration in this free upcoming holiday gift guide for Kitsap-based businesses.

Shop.Eat.Spend.Kitsap is a partnership of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance and the six Kitsap Chambers of Commerce.

Celebrate the launch of the Webb Telescope with a FREE, all-ages day at KiDiMu festuring hands-on space science activities.

Folowed by a weather-permitting, rooftop viewing of Saturn and Jupiter from 4:30pm - 7:30pm.

This month, your generosity can also net you special discounts on auto repairs.

Bring non-perishable food and toiletry donations and quality for those thank you discounts at Modern Collision Rebuild & Service at 9270 Miller Road in Island Center.

Call 206-842-8053 for more details

COVID-19 cases in Kitsap County overall edged up a little this week to 111 cases per 100,000 residents.

That sees our county number creep back above the 100/100k mark which represents the highest rate of transmission.

Island numbers are at 40 cases per 100,000 (moderate transmission), with local vaccination rates now reaching 89%.

Since the start of the pandemic have been 633 total cases on the Island, 9 of them new since last week.

To reach 'low' transmission, the magic number must fall below 10 cases/100,000 residents.

With the support of the City, County, and Bainbridge's own Breath Café, the Chamber still has fresh supplies of N95 masks, disposable masks, and hand sanitizer available for free to all public-facing Island business and nonprofit organizations.

We also have free posters available to help businesses make it clear to all customers that masks are required for entry at their location.

To grab yours, give us a call, stop by our offices, or simply email us - we are here to help...