Employees who wish to avoid paying the new tax must have their own, qualified long-term care coverage in place by October 31, 2021 and proactively opt out of the state program. The applications to apply for an exemption should be available starting Oct. 1, the state Employment Security Department reports. Details are pending.
Without an exemption, workers will start paying a new payroll tax of 0.58% on their wages beginning Jan. 1. The money will be used to pay for a new long-term care fund managed by the state. Employers will be responsible for collecting and remitting the tax payments to the state for employees who do not receive an exemption.
The new tax comes to about $300 a year for a worker that makes $52,000.
"Now's the time for employers and workers to explore this issue and learn more," says Debra Brown, president of Forterra, Inc., the Association of Washington Businesses' employer services arm. "Employers should be talking to their staff about this issue now because the deadline is coming up quickly. And employees should be exploring their long-term care coverage and start planning if they haven't already."
There are multiple opportunities for businesses to learn more about the LTC and steps employees should be taking.
The Washington Retail Association will be hosting an informal webinar with speakers from the Employment Security Department on Tuesday, August 10 at 10:00 am.
ProPoint, AWB's employer services subsidiary, will host a free webinar on Aug. 23 at 2:00 pm with more information.
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Need Local Answers for Your Employees on LTC?
members who may be able to answer your questions.
Feel free to reach out and refer your employees, too!
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Chamber is Help Desk Cavalry's Member of the Month |
Thanks to our friends at Help Desk Cavalry - for keeping the Chamber running with their tech know-how and for honoring us with your monthly client award. We couldn't do what we do for businesses in Central Kitsap without your amazing team! |
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Who's Who on the Kitsap Peninsula 2021 |
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Pick up a copy in the Silverdale Chamber and Visitor Center.
Included this year (from top):
Joe Morrison, Executive Director KEDA
Terry Ward, Publisher Sound Publishing
Michael Goodnow, Executive Director Bainbridge Island Downtown Association
Lori Maxim, Executive Director Fishline
David Emmons, President/CEO Silverdale Chamber of Commerce
Stefan Goldby, President/CEO Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce
Geoff Ball, President/CEO Kitsap Community Foundation
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Congratulations on Selection for
Leadership Kitsap Class of 2022!
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Congratulations to our own Kathleen Arndt, Silverdale Chamber Board Secretary, and Irene Moyer, Director of Member Relations on their selection for the Leadership Kitsap Class of 2022!
Leadership Kitsap’s goal is to build a new and continuing source of fine leaders. The program brings together people from many professional fields (public and private), finance, manufacturing, construction, education, law, government, military, media, health care, utilities, retail and human services. It creates a structured system of communications among leaders from different sectors and constituencies, and facilitates access between the existing and the merging leadership of the community. Leadership Kitsap produces colleagues who can and will help each other get things done.
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August Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, August 25, 2021, 11:30 am
Kitsap Golf & Country Club
August Topic: The Gorst Coalition
Where We Are & What It Means for Kitsap
Registration Information Coming Soon!
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Have you answered our weekly
survey question yet?
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If masking is made mandatory for businesses
again, how well prepared are you?
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At least I have all the sneeze guards already
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I have masks, hand sanitizers and PPE ready to go
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I just need new PPE to be ready
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I am still using my pandemic playbook and am in good shape
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I will need a lot of help if that happens
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Thank you to those who already answered this survey from Thursday's
Business Brief! Congratulations to our drawing winner - Renee Mims!
Renee has won 2 admission tickets to the Kitsap Wine Festival being held this weekend at the Kitsap Conference Center (August 14th, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm).
Pick up your tickets this week from the Silverdale Chamber Office!
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1st Security Bank's Annual Stuff the Bus |
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A single purpose drives us.
Evergreen Moneysource Mortgage Company® (Evergreen Home Loans™) has more than three decades of home financing experience. They deliver On Time and as Promised® by providing our customers with complete
peace of mind.
Our loan officers listen, learn
and serve.
Our experienced and professional loan officers and support teams offer guidance, insight, and a deft hand at every point in the loan process. Evergreen customers gain more than just awareness and understanding of where they stand; they also gain the backing it takes to become a more confident homebuyer.
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Boundaries: Success Is What You Say No To
Tuesday, August 10, 2021, 3:00 pm
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Do you have a hard time saying no to an opportunity?
How do you know when to say no?
Creating a boundary around where you invest your time and energy is critical in business and life. Consider that true success is what you say no to. In this Uplift Kitsap, learn three methods to say no when vetting opportunities or decisions that will free up your time and energy and create more peace of mind.
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Anna S. Choi, Business Energy Coach, TEDx Speaker, and Forbes Author is committed to elevating humanity’s consciousness by empowering conscious entrepreneurs and business leaders to focus their energy, magnify their presence, and find peace in chaos.
As a broke art major, zero experience or connections, she started her first business as a financial planner grossing six figures by age 25. Burned out from the hustle and grind, she pursued energy mastery becoming a martial artist, yoga instructor, and brain education leader. She is now helping high achieving business leaders grow in flow, align their energy, and embody yin-based leadership for themselves and their teams.
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Member Education & Training Resources |
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Optimizing Your Pricing Strategy
to Maximize Profits
August 12, 2021, 10:00 am
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Pricing your products and services properly is one of the most important business decisions you’ll make.
No matter what type of product or service you sell, the price you charge your customers will have a direct impact on profitability and the success of your business.
In this webinar, Certified SCORE Mentor Julie Brander will help you understand how to price your products and services effectively and develop a strategy for maximizing your profits.
You’ll learn about:
- The basics in evaluating your business idea
- How to purchase products
- Understanding profit margins
- Evaluating your costs and profits
- Successful pricing strategies
- Creating a higher perceived value when developing your products and services
- Understanding your customers and competition
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Julie Brander is an experienced entrepreneur, who has built businesses from the ground up, including manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and non- profit businesses. She has her MBA in Entrepreneurship has taught business courses on a college level, founded a nonprofit with expertise in fundraising. |
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Military Affairs Committee |
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Secure Your Booth Now!
2021 Military Appreciation Day
Saturday, September 25, 2021
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Join Us for the Gorst Coalition Launch
Thursday, August 12, 2021, 4:00 pm
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Join Congressman Derek Kilmer and fellow community, business and elected leaders to celebrate the efforts to fix the Gorst Corridor.
Peninsula Subaru on SR 303 in Gorst
3888 State Highway 16 W, Bremerton WA 98312
Food and beverages will be provided.
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County Commissioner Files Grievance
On Behalf of Central Kitsap Constituents
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District 3 County Commissioner, Ed Wolfe, recently filed a formal complaint against Waste Management on behalf of his constituents in Central Kitsap due to numerous complaints from voters. He is asking that customers be reimbursed the cost for uncollected trash.
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Hand Sanitizer & Masks Still Available |
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The Silverdale Chamber of Commerce still has hand sanitizer and N95 masks available for local businesses and organizations, courtesy of the Kitsap County Emergency Operations Center. Please contact the Chamber if you are in need. |
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COVID-19 Updates & Resources |
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Delta Variant Driving Increase in Cases
Kitsap Hospitals at Concerning Levels
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The Delta variant is driving a sharp increase in cases and leading to more hospitalizations and a strained healthcare system. With hospital occupancy at concerning levels in Kitsap and across the state, higher vaccination rates are needed to stop the spread of this virus and prevent serious illness, hospitalizations, and deaths.
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To keep each other safe, everyone should continue to:
- Avoid crowded indoor events or continue masking in those settings.
- Continue masking in all healthcare settings, schools, public transportation, and any other settings where visitors are still asked to mask.
- Follow rules set by businesses and organizations.
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Stay home when sick and get tested for COVID-19. Find a testing site at kcowa.us/covid19 or call a local clinic or pharmacy.
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Testing Remains Important Part of
Stopping the Spread of COVID
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Kitsap Public Health District is monitoring a concerning uptick in COVID-19 cases in Kitsap County. The rise in cases reported locally corresponds with statewide and national increases in COVID-19 activity driven by the highly contagious Delta variant. Read more about the trends their epidemiologists are tracking.
With cases of COVID-19 surging in Kitsap County, testing remains a vital part of combating the spread of COVID-19. Testing is available for people of all ages at no cost.
Kitsap Public Health District has recently updated the list of local test providers. If you are traveling this summer, here is the link to find test locations across the state of Washington. If you have questions about testing sites, call 2-1-1.
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Vaccine Clinics Around the County |
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Veterans Work Readiness Orientation
Wednesday, August 11, 2021, 11:00 am
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This orientation will cover Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap WorkSource. Veterans residing in these counties are encouraged to participate.
This session offers an opportunity to connect with other veterans and learn information about veteran employment services available through WorkSource and other ESD partner programs. We provide details about eligibility requirements and outline the application process for enrollment into each program.
We will also focus on information intended to help you research training or skill development opportunities and provide information about online resources as well as job market demand and funding sources.
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Kitsap Wine Festival
Saturday, August 14, 2021, 2:00 pm
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The 12th annual Kitsap Wine Festival benefiting the Downtown Bremerton Association is set to be held in mid-August at the Kitsap Conference Center. Taste wines from over 14 wineries and sample local northwest cuisine.
The Kitsap Wine Festival features live music, delicious foods, craft beer, and of course, great wines! Guests will have the opportunity to discover a wide variety of wines by sampling bottles featured by an ever-expanding slate of participating wineries. Find a new favorite and take it home. The retail wine shop provides a broad selection of wines and an assortment of fun wine-related treasures.
Compliment all of your delightful sipping by noshing delectables offered by amazing food vendors. Round out this day of summer fun with games like cornhole and ladder golf on the gorgeous Bremerton waterfront!
Tickets include a commemorative cup, swag bag, food samples, and 10 wine sampling tickets.
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Participating breweries and taprooms in Kitsap and Pierce Counties will be donating a portion of their proceeds to The Coffee Oasis Hope Homes during special one-night events!
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Silverdale Visitor Center |
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Silverdale is Home Base for Kitsap Day Adventures
August Destination: Port Gamble
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Unpack your bags in Silverdale and take a short drive north to the 120-acre National Historic Landmark that is Port Gamble. Situated on the shores of the scenic Hood Canal, Port Gamble offers recreation, shopping and some of the best food on the Kitsap Peninsula! |
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Put Your Business in the Hands
of Local Visitors Now
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Visitors to Central Kitsap request the Chamber's Official Map of Silverdale more than any other item - that's more than 10,000 in a year (pre-COVID numbers). Don't be left off the map as business returns to normal this year. Spring Hill Press will create the artwork for your business ad as part of the ad space you purchase. No fuss, just reserve your spot, approve your proof and go! Contact the Silverdale Chamber for more information.
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FAIR HOURS
Wednesday, Aug. 25 - 10:00am to 9:00pm
Thursday, Aug. 26 - 10:00am to 9:00pm
Friday, Aug. 27 - 10:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday, Aug. 28 - 10:00am to 9:00pm
Sunday, Aug 29 - 10:00am to 6:00pm
CARNIVAL HOURS
Wednesday, Aug. 25 - 5:00pm to 11:00pm
Thursday, Aug. 26 - 12:00pm to 11:00pm
Friday, Aug. 27 - 12:00pm to 11:00pm
Saturday, Aug. 28 - 12:00pm to 11:00pm
Sunday, Aug 29 - 12:00pm to 7:00pm
FAIR ADMISSION
FREE
FAIR PARKING
$10.00 per carload
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David Emmons
President/CEO
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Irene Moyer
Director of Member Relations
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Joe Barboza
Tourism Coordinator
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Marisa Acuna
Finance & Operations Manager
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