Tuesday, February 8, 2022 |
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WA's Budget Surplus Now Estimated at
More than $11 billion - Budget
Could Include Tax Reductions
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Without counting one-time funds, Washington state now has a four-year budget surplus of $11.2 billion, according to a new policy brief from the Washington Research Council.
On top of that, the state has one-time funds: $1 billion in the Washington rescue plan transition account, $1.3 billion in general federal relief funds, and about $1.2 billion in the budget stabilization account.
The rosy budget picture comes from $7.4 billion in increased forecast state tax revenues since the 2021 legislative session ended, along with $350 million from collections coming in above the most recent revenue forecast, and $2.4 billion in savings from lower-than-expected costs of providing ongoing services.
The policy brief notes that Gov. Inslee calls for increased spending and higher reserve levels but no tax cuts.
Contact AWB's Gov't Affairs Director Tommy Gantz to learn more.
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Virtual Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 11:30 am
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New Chamber Members - Welcome! |
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Lift: Kitsap Women's Leadership Network
Wednesday, February 16, 2022, 11:45 am
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Are we really surprised by "The Great Resignation?" After two years of COVID, women are reassessing what's important in their lives and careers. In our next gathering, we will take a deeper look into authenticity and letting go of who you’re supposed to be and engage with who you are!
"Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do." - Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
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Sportsbook Opens at Suquamish
Clearwater Casino Resort
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The Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort opened its FanDuel Sportsbook on Friday with former NFL players Steve Largent and Jim Zorn placing ceremonial first bets during a ribbon-cutting event.
Located near the Agate Pass Deli and Seafood Bar on the casino floor, the 2,086-square-foot sportsbook has three live betting windows, 12 self-service betting kiosks and rows of black armchairs and tables set aside for customers to use while they watch games playing on a video wall.
Pictured above: Big screens and armchairs at the FanDuel sportsbook which opened on Friday. Peiyu Lin/Kitsap Sun
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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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Member of the Month 1st Security Bank Highlights Local Business: KettleFish |
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We LOVE our local community restaurant, KettleFish, located in Old Town Silverdale. They serve fresh Pacific Northwest seafood, seven days a week, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Enjoy steam-kettle cooking, fish & chips, fish tacos on Taco Tuesday or amazing clam chowder.
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3607 NW Byron Street
Silverdale, WA 98383
(360) 692-9611
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"We provide our guests with fresh and responsibly sourced seafood meals. We are committed to the health and well-being of the local environment and community." |
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KBF: What's New in Social Media?
Today, February 8, 2022, 7:30 am
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The Kitsap Business Forum exists to engage business leaders and stimulate
thinking so that collectively, we grow a healthy Kitsap economy.
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Member Education & Training Resources |
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SharedWork Employee Retention Program
Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 11:50 am
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Federal Taxes and Your Business
Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 8:00 am
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The Small Business Administration (SBA), in collaboration with the IRS, will host a series of virtual workshops. During the workshop, participants will learn information to help them successfully operate their small business. The SBA will host the event on Microsoft Teams.
Topics include:
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Recordkeeping
- Accounting methods
- Different business structures, and
- Tips on how to select a return preparer
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SBA: Disaster Preparedness Plan
for Your Small Business
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Disasters can take many forms and the financial cost of rebuilding after a disaster can be overwhelming. If you’re prepared for emergencies, you’ll be in a better position to recover and continue operations should disaster strike.
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Top Automation Tools and Technology
for Small Business
Tuesday, February 8, 2022, 10:00 am
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The objective of this workshop is to provide you, the small business owner, with a comparison of the top technologies and automation tools available and help you determine which of these is best for your business. The workshop focuses on the following tools and systems:
- Accounting
- Payroll Processing
- Employee Timesheet
- Point of Sale
- Customer Invoicing
- Accounts Payable
- eCommerce
- Project Management
- Email Communication
- Web Hosting
By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a short-list of the technologies and systems that you’ll want to implement for your business. Don’t miss this opportunity!
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Presenter
This workshop is presented by Kristine Nguyen. Kristine is founder and owner of Pretty Books, a Seattle-based accounting firm that thrives on helping its clients set up, manage, and oversee financial data, processes, and systems. Its modern accounting services include bookkeeping, payroll, financial consulting, business tax preparation, and more. Kristine has more than 15 years of experience working with small businesses to manage and streamline their accounting.
She and her team combine accounting, finance, and business analytics to help clients develop clarity in their work and action plans. Kristine really enjoys implementing tools and technologies to streamline busy-work for small businesses.
Workshop Fee: $55
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Government Affairs Committee |
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LIVE: Updates w/Brad Boswell
Friday, February 11, 2022, 8:30 am
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Join us for live Q & A with Brad Boswell as we close out Week 5 of the 2022 Legislative Session. If you have questions about specific legislative action in Olympia or you're following particular bills, here is an opportunity to be updated live with the Chamber's political consultant. |
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Additionally, get your Week 4 recap from Brad Boswell and team today, with all the latest from Olympia through February 4th, brought to you by your Silverdale and Bremerton Chambers of Commerce. |
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AWB Amplified: It's Time to Invest in
Transportation Infrastructure
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Transportation Package to be Announced Today |
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Senate and House Democratic transportation committee leaders plan to unveil a joint transportation package on Tuesday, according to Jerry Cornfield of The Herald.
Cornfield reports that the Democratic package – put together without input thus far from Republicans – would spend about $15 billion over 15 years.
“Look for around $15 billion in spending on ferries, buses, bike lanes, culverts, climate change, bridges and highway preservation. That money will come from federal coffers, the state general fund, cap-and-trade proceeds and hikes in vehicle-related fees. There will be no gas tax increase,” Cornfield wrote last week.
That increase in vehicle fees might be substantial. AWB Government Affairs Director Mike Ennis has learned that fee increases could total $2 billion.
“We have two concerns,” Ennis said. “One is the fee package is high, and secondly Republicans were not at the table in these negotiations. Typically, we want to see a balanced package that addresses needs across the entire state. When you exclude one set of stakeholders who represent much of the state's geographic areas, you’re not necessarily going to get a balanced package.”
Interested in learning more about WA's transportation package?
Contact AWB's Mike Ennis to learn more and get involved.
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Report from the 23rd District
Updates from Representative Tarra Simmons
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Learn what's happening in the 23rd District from State Representative Tarra Simmons. Find out what the legislative priorities of our local elected officials are and how their work in Olympia this session will impact local businesses. |
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Military Affairs Committee |
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Military Appreciation Day 2022
It's Not Too Late: Sign Up Now!
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
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Registration is open until February 18th! |
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Federal Hiring Event @ PSNS
Tuesday, February 15, 2022, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
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Workforce Partnerships in Kitsap County |
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Published in AWB's Washington Business Magazine, Winter 2022 Edition
Olympic College and the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility partner to produce a skilled workforce capable of maintaining and restoring military ships.
At a time when employers are struggling to find enough workers, this 120-year-old program may serve as a model for other industries.
“The apprenticeship program is one of the most practical and sound training systems available to develop individuals into skilled journey-level workers,” said Reuben Farley, director of the program.
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Ukrainian Cyberattacks:
What Businesses Need to Know
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Published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, January 2022
During the past few weeks, tensions have again escalated on the border of Russia and Ukraine. Russia has built up its military presence, bracketing Ukraine on three sides with close to 100,000 troops, tanks, and heavy artillery. All the while, Russian state-sponsored cyber operations targeting Ukrainian websites and critical infrastructure with cyberattacks have increased significantly.
Considering this heightened state of awareness and “shields up” posture, U.S. government agencies and cybersecurity firms such as Mandiant have outlined actions businesses, especially the owners and operators of critical infrastructure, should be taking right now, if they haven’t already, to reduce the risk of a destructive cyberattack on their infrastructure.
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Leadership Kitsap Class of 2023
Applications Now Available
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U.S. Chamber Launches Resource Website for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act |
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President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law on November 15, 2021, boosting America’s global competitiveness and improving the quality of life for all Americans.
This new legislation is the single largest investment in bridges since construction of the Interstate Highway System, will help connect 14 million Americans to broadband, provide clean drinking water for 10 million families, upgrade our energy grid, and grow our economy. It is also the single largest investment in innovation, efficiency, and resiliency to address climate change in U.S. history.
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Food Industry Reminds Consumers of
New Single-Use Serviceware Law
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Commissioners Join Sheriff in Support of Changes to Recent Police Reform Laws |
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Kitsap County Sheriff John Gese released a statement last week regarding several police reform bills the Washington State Legislature enacted in July 2021 that have since dramatically changed the way law enforcement agencies throughout the state are doing business.
Kitsap County Commissioners joined Sheriff Gese in sending a letter this week to state legislators, asking for support of Senate Bill 5919, which provides critical and practical modifications to recently enacted police reform laws to allow law enforcement to carry out their vital mission while still being held to high standards and accountability.
Click here to view the letter to legislators.
One of the changes in legislation passed last July, regarding law enforcement’s ability to pursue vehicles, appears to have become a nexus to a marked rise in auto thefts in Kitsap County and around the state, according to Sheriff Gese. In a recent video, he describes how Sheriff's Office deputies train to drive in emergency and pursuit situations and weighs in on the impact of the new legislative changes on criminal activity in Kitsap County.
Click here to link to the video.
For more information, contact: Ken Dickinson of the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office at 360.337.5698, KDickins@co.kitsap.wa.us
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Zoning Use Table Update
County Accepting Comments Through February 14, 2022
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The Kitsap County Department of Community Development is updating its zoning allowed use tables found in Kitsap County Code Title 17 'Zoning', Chapter 17.410. The primary goal of the Zoning Use Table Update is to reduce barriers to investment in Urban Growth Areas (UGA), Limited Areas of More Intense Rural Development (LAMIRD), and the rural commercial and rural industrial zones. |
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County Seeks Earth Day Award Nominations |
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Do you know an individual, group, or business that deserves to be celebrated for their environmental efforts? Kitsap County Public Works and the Board of County Commissioners celebrate environmentalism in our community annually with Earth Day Awards. We need your help!
Any business, group/organization, school, teacher, educational program/project, or individual is eligible. The nominee does not have to live in Kitsap County, but the efforts on which the nomination is based must occur in Kitsap County. If selected, your nominee will be recognized at the Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting on April 25, 2022 at 5:30pm, virtual attendance optional.
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The Kitsap Road Report is updated each week. This latest update was released on February 4, 2022. |
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Intermittent road closures on Bay Shore Drive NW and Washington Avenue NW for Sewer/Stormwater/Road improvement project.
Crews are doing various maintenance activities at the locations listed below. Expect moderate delays between 5 and 10 minutes:
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Illahee Rd NE - Entire length of road (MO-FR)
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Seabeck Hwy NW between Leeward Ave NW & NW Pioneer Rd (MO-FR)
Expect moderate delays on Blackbird Drive NE from the intersection of NE Fairgrounds Road for PSE utility work. Traffic control is in place between hours of 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. and the work is expected to be completed by Feb. 11, 2022.
WSDOT Project Alert: Construction crews working on the SR3 Chico Creek fish barrier removal project. Temporary speed limit reduction to 45mph in both directions on SR3 along one-mile section for the duration of the project. 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.
With the new wave of cases due to the Omicron variant, testing availability and resources are being strained both locally and nationally. Testing appointments or at-home tests may be difficult to find. Please be patient as you seek a test and plan well in advance if you need a test to participate in activities such as travel. KPHD has updated our list of organizations providing COVID-19 testing in Kitsap County here.
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Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Arrives in Kitsap County
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Silverdale Visitor Center |
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Meet the Feebles
Saturday, February 12, 2022, 10:00 pm
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Bremerton Community Theatre:
Death of a Salesman
February 4 through 27, 2022
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Wine on the Rock 2022
February 11-14, 2022
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Roam Bainbridge Island and explore seven artisan wineries for a fabulous and decadent wine & chocolate-pairing weekend.
Available by reservation only, and just in time for Valentine's Day, tickets are good for one flight plus chocolates at each of the seven participating Bainbridge Island wineries.
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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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Marisa Acuna
Finance Manager
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