Chamber News
New State CARES Grants Available

  • Fewer restrictions
  • Easier application
  • Sole proprietors & home-based businesses are eligible

Find out all about it at Kitsapcaressmallbiz.com/KEDA
City to Support Parks, Helpline House with CARES funding

The City of Bainbridge island is allocating $91,000 in support of the Bainbridge Island Metro Parks and Recreation Dist., and another $60,000 in support of Helpline House. The funds come out of CARES Act money the city received earlier this year. All told, the city is expected to receive somewhere in the neighborhood of $736,000 from the act – of which roughly $260,000 is being earmarked for community partners.

In July, the council awarded $20,000 in support of the “Save Our Stores” campaign (see below), championed by the Chamber and the Downtown Assoc. At its upcoming Sept. 15 City Council meeting, councilors are expected review additional island economic stimulus ideas.
Development Moratorium to be Addressed Tonight!  

The City Council will receive an update on the building and development moratorium, now in effect, on the island. It is among a number of scheduled updates at tonight’s (Sept. 1) City Council Meeting. Other topics include:

  • The Green Building Task Force Update;
  • An update on the virtual Police Town Hall;
  • A review of the draft profile for the City Manager search;
  • An update from the joint City Council and Planning Commission land use subcommittee;
  • An update on the Shoreline Master Plan review and public participation program and workplan;
  • A discuss on the process to fill the Race Equity Task Force vacancy.
 
For more informaiton on the city council meeting agenda and to access the meeting on Zoom, click here.
Two Boat Service Resumes

The wait is over. The Bainbridge-Seattle ferry run is back on a two boat schedule. The run, the most popular on the Washington State Ferry system network, was on a one-boat schedule due to complications related to Coronavirus Pandemic.

Two boat service is also returning to the Kingston-Edmonds run and the Mukiltio-Clinton runs as well. For schedules and more info visit https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
 
Bag Ordinance Goes into Effect Today (Sept. 1)

The city’s resumption of its ban on single-use plastic bags goes back into effect today. The ban, which began in 2012, was paused in March for the Coronavirus Pandemic. The city also urges businesses that are selling food to keep in mind the requirements of Chapter 8.24 of the Municipal Code that requires the use of biodegradable packing when selling or conveying food directly to consumer with the city limits. 
Member News
Bainbridge Quilt Festival planned for Sept. 12

Backers of the Bainbridge Island Quilt Festival are moving forward with this year’s event on Sept. 12.

Quilts will be hanging throughout downtown Bainbridge Island on Winslow Way. They will be hung outside the store buildings, from front awnings mainly, depending on the structure of each building. Organizers work with the merchants and landlords to accomplish this. The quilts will be hung with clothespins or clips from lines or poles, depending on the situation. Because the quilts will be outside, many in uncovered spaces, you should not submit a quilt to the show that you don’t want exposed to weather.



Museums to open this Weekend

The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is reopening this Friday and will be open daily from 10 am - 5 pm. Check out the new exhibits that no one else has seen yet! Check their website for details.

The Bainbridge Island History Museum will also open this Friday, with a limited schedule Fridays - Sundays 10 am - 4 pm, with a maximum visitor capacity of 10 people at any one time. Check their website for more information.


Happy Birthday!

Eagle Harbor Book Company is celebrating its 50th birthday this month!

Check their website and social media for special offers and events.
Free Masks & Thermometers Still Available

The Chamber of Commerce still has free disposable and reusable masks available for distribution. The masks come our way through a partnership with the City of Bainbridge Island and CARES Act funding. In addition, we have a limited supply of free non-contact forehead thermometers available for qualified businesses.

Under the parameters outlined by the Kitsap County Economic Development Alliance and FEMA, sole-proprietorships and non-profit organizations are not eligible to receive a thermometer. For more information or to submit an order for masks or thermometers, contact Kevin Dwyer.
Even though Weather is nice, Our Businesses Still Need Your Help
 
Visit www.sosbainbridgeisland.com for more information about what you can do.

The Chamber’s Kevin Dwyer spoke about the SOS program last week to a group of seniors. Here’s a YouTube video of that program.

Thank you for your support! We're here for you,

Kevin Dwyer, President/CEO
Mickey Molnaire, Director of Membership & Marketing