It was just about a year ago that Washington state organized to fight for its economic future … and retain the title of “Aerospace Capital of the World.”

At that time, Boeing was examining the future of the most successful commercial airplane ever built — the 737 — an airliner accounting for 40 percent of commercial fleets currently in service. Since 1967, more than 7,000 737s have rolled off the line in Renton; but, now Boeing was considering all options for building the next generation of this prolific workhorse — the 737MAX. read more »

Five years ago community leaders from across Kitsap came together to create a 20/20 Vision and commit to an Action Plan to advance sustainable economic opportunity throughout Kitsap County for generations to come. Via this visioning initiative, the Kitsap Economic Development Council (est. 1983) was re-energized, recapitalized, and rebranded as the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA).

KEDA is a community-wide alliance made up of local business and civic leaders and public officials, and is designated as the lead economic development entity for the County. As such, KEDA is charged with partnering with State and US Departments of Commerce to attract investment and grow jobs in Kitsap County. read more »

I am often asked: “What does the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance do; how does it help to develop our local economy?” My “elevator pitch” answer is: “We deliver business development services to our clients — businesses small and large, local and global — to help them grow and prosper in Kitsap County; and we do so free of charge due to the financial commitment of our many investor partners, from both public and private sector partners. In short, KEDA practices economic development as a community-wide team sport executing client-based business retention, expansion and recruitment strategies which are aimed at attracting investment and creating jobs…one business at a time. read more »

On November 3rd, over one hundred business and community leaders from throughout Kitsap County gathered at the Kiana Lodge to explore the dynamics of “Regionalism” and its impact on economic opportunities in Kitsap, including the future of advanced manufacturing in our region and specifically Boeing’s 737 MAX. You might be wondering, “How’d that came about — what’s Kitsap got to do with Boeing?” Well, it didn’t just drop out of the clear blue sky… read more »

The four counties of Kitsap, Pierce, King and Snohomish comprise the Central Puget Sound Economic Development District (EDD) — a regional economic district designated by the Economic Development Administration of the US Department of Commerce. EDDs across the country are charged with convening regional business and government leaders to design, develop and implement comprehensive, integrated five-year economic development strategies to advance job creation and commerce throughout the designated district. read more »

As I undertake my new assignment as the executive director of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, I am delighted to share with the community a bit about the role KEDA plays in advancing job creating economic development opportunities in Kitsap.

KEDA is the Washington State designated lead public — private economic development organization charged with working with local government and businesses to attract investment, grow jobs, and develop economic opportunities throughout Kitsap County (393 spectacular square miles, surrounded by 254 miles of beautiful shoreline, situated on the eastern flank of the West Sound). read more »