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COVER STORY
Speedway choice shines the spotlight
on Kitsap County
By Rodika Tollefson |
As soon as International Speedway Corp. (ISC) announced a site near Bremerton National Airport as its top choice for a NASCAR racetrack, Kitsap County found itself in the local, regional and even national spotlights.
The 80,000-seat track could generate as much as $121.8 million each year for the region — and most of that money will come from out-of-state NASCAR fans.
“I think Kitsap County and the state of Washington are very fortunate to have this opportunity,” said county Commissioner Jan Angel. “It’s a wonderful opportunity (but only) the first step of a long process… We’re going to have to take it piece by piece.”
Angel’s excitement was tempered by the reality that it is too early to speculate how the project would impact the county, and that the important part was to, “…get the most balanced deal for the citizens of Kitsap County.” It’s a sentiment that many state and local leaders share, saying there are not enough details to fully understand what ISC will ask of the public... (Full Article) |
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Marketing the bounty of Kitsap:
Farmers markets attract
both vendors and consumers
By Rodika Tollefson |
| On a recent Wednesday afternoon in a Poulsbo parking lot, Lowell Dietz could be found sharing his knowledge — and obvious passion — about mushrooms to anyone stopping at his table... (Full Article) |
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Portland judge walked away
from region’s electric ratepayers
By Don C. Brunell, President
Association of Washington Business |
| Again this year, U.S. District Court Judge James Redden nixed a plan to generate much needed power on the Columbia and Snake Rivers during the lull between major spring and fall salmon runs. He made his ruling despite the fact that a big chunk of the electricity sales would be used to further restore salmon habitat in the region... (Full Article) |
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Kitsap Business Assistance Center
announces summer business classes |
| The Kitsap Business Assistance Center and Olympic College will present several educational opportunities for small business owners this summer. Classes will be held at both the Bremerton campus of Olympic College and the Norm Dicks Government Center in downtown Bremerton. For more information about these classes call the Kitsap Business Assistance Center at (360) 307-4220. Class registration is handled through Olympic College Registrar’s Office at (360) 475-7181... (Full Article) |
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What impact will revised
estate tax have on you?
By Matt Ryan |
If left unchanged, the revised estate tax signed into law by Governor Gregoire, could surprise many middle class Washingtonians.
The new law should significantly increase revenues from this source above previous levels. Before the court decision that threw out the old tax, Washington estate tax collections swelled from 0.4 percent of all state taxes collected in 1995 to 1.1 percent in 2004... (Full Article) |
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State launches business recruitment Website |
Washington has simplified the process of trying to attract new businesses with the launch of the state’s new business recruitment Website: ChooseWashington.com.
Developed by the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), the primary goal of the site is to simplify the process for site selection consultants, corporate real estate executives and businesses that are seeking information about relocating to, or expanding in, Washington... (Full Article) |
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Value your client and they will value you
By Wendy Miles |
Do you value your clients? I don’t mean do you appreciate them. I mean have you ever placed a value on your clients?
So many times as business owners we look from sale to sale, rarely looking up to see “the big picture.” The art and science of customer acquisition and retention is weakened because we have no idea what sort of impact an individual client has on our business and therefore how much time and resources are appropriate to invest in them... (Full Article) |
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Environmental
Community leaders consider ways
to help Marine Science Center
By Rodika Tollefson |
| About five to six dozen community leaders and residents packed a classroom at Poulsbo’s Marine Science Center late last month to discuss what can be done to keep the center alive. Volunteers, city and county officials, school board and environmental representatives, Rotary Club members, parents, port commissioners and many others came to talk about visions and options... (Full Article) |
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26th District’s Kilmer tapped
for economic development agency |
Gig Harbor lawmaker, Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor) was appointed by the House Leadership to the Washington Economic Development Finance Authority (WEDFA).
State Representative Kilmer has built a career as a manager with the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County working daily with small businesses... (Full Article) |
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Belfair couple trades smoked meats shop
for BBQ diner
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Ben and Phyllis Howlett, of Jensen’s Home Smoked Meats fame, will bring their meet processing and cooking experience to Port Orchard this month, to a new restaurant called Fat Rascal’s BarBQue. The restaurant will be located on Highway 160, at Ross Point — the site of numerous eateries over the years, but perhaps best known for the one lasting the longest, The Clambake. Most recently it housed Maria Taco Shop and later the Fiesta Mexican Restaurant... (Full Article) |
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Master Gardener Foundation goes
Au Naturel for 2006 Calendar |
| The Kitsap County Master Gardener Foundation is approaching the launch of its calendar fundraising project, and “Gardening Au Naturel, Secrets of Kitsap County Master Gardeners” will soon be available. It’s amazing what Master Gardeners are doing in an effort to raise the money to plant flowers, maintain the community gardens, and educate the public... (Full Article) |
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IRS offers small businesses new
retirement plan resource guide |
| Small business owners can now learn virtually everything they need to know about setting up and maintaining IRA-based retirement plans for their employees, thanks to a new, free compact disc from the Internal Revenue Service... (Full Article) |
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Girl Scouts seek
Woman of Distinction nominees |
| Nominations for Girl Scouts 2005 Woman of Distinction Award which recognizes a woman who is an outstanding community leader and role model for girls are being accepted through Aug. 15... (Full Article) |
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Kitsap YMCA executive director honored |
| In recognition of 25 years of outstanding leadership and devotion to the community of Kitsap Family YMCA, Glen Godfrey was recently honored with a Certificate of Leadership from the Armed Services YMCA national office... (Full Article) |
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Dr. Hablutzel earns 4-Star
EnviroStar certification |
| Dr. Allan Hablutzel’s dental office recently became certified as a 4-Star EnviroStar business. The EnviroStars program recognizes businesses for reducing and properly managing their hazardous waste... (Full Article) |
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911 cutover successful |
Kitsap County Central Communications (9-1-1) is taking emergency phone calls at its new dispatch center.
The dispatch radios and 18 telephone trunks were turned over from the old building to the new facility in groups and then tested to ensure responders and callers could get to 9-1-1. The process was seamless to the residents of Kitsap County. Contingency plans were in place in the event of any system problems, however; none were needed during the smooth transition... (Full Article) |
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Hallam Creative Services
launches free newsletter |
| Hallam Creative Services recently announced that it is launching a new, free email newsletter, called Good Writing, Good Business. The newsletter, which will come out monthly, will include articles and information to help individuals improve their writing skills and communicate more effectively, with a focus on writing for business... (Full Article) |
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Spargo re-elected to chair
Literacy Council board |
| Frank Spargo of Poulsbo has been re-elected chair of the Literacy Council of Kitsap’s Board of Directors. Other officers for the 2005-2006 program year are Anita Williams of Bremerton, vice chair; Analisa Sweat of Bremerton, secretary; and Jeff Parham of Port Orchard, treasurer... (Full Article) |
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NFIB asks Washington Supreme
Court to uphold constitution
Small-business group, three other organizations, seek to preserve Initiative 601 |
| NFIB/Washington has asked the Washington Supreme Court to protect the voters' right to file a referendum on legislative actions, which is guaranteed by the state constitution... (Full Article) |
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Kilmer appointed to Joint Committee
on Veteran and Military Affairs |
Kitsap Peninsula lawmaker, Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor) was recently appointed to the State’s Joint Committee on Veteran Affairs.
The committee, which works with local veterans groups throughout the state, is comprised of representatives from both the House and Senate. Serving as an advisory committee, the bi-partisan group studies veteran, active military, National Guard, and reserve issues in conjunction with the state Department of Veterans Affairs... (Full Article) |
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AWB launching local talk radio program |
| The Association of Washington Business (AWB) recently acquired a one-hour radio program on 1180 AM, KLAY Radio. The broadcast will air every Thursday from 11 to noon... (Full Article) |
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Kitsap coffee roaster partners with
PSE’s green power program |
| Grounds for Change, located in Poulsbo, in its continuing commitment to sustainable business practices, has recently partnered with Puget Sound Energy’s Green Power Program to offset all non-renewable energy (in the form of CO2 emissions) used in its Kitsap Peninsula roastery and in all facets of its business operations. The coffee roaster is the first business in Washington State to partner with Puget Sound Energy to offset 100 percent of its CO2 emissions... (Full Article) |
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Democrats agree to pay record
fine for campaign violations |
| The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) recently accepted two stipulated agreements from the Washington State Democrat Party who agreed to pay $187,500 in civil penalties for campaign finance violations... (Full Article) |
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Paladin adds new Web designer to staff |
| Poulsbo-based Paladin Data Systems announced recently that it has expanded its sales and marketing department by adding a Web media developer position. Kathy Goble has been hired to serve as Paladin’s Web media developer. She will design, build, and manage the corporate and product Web sites for Paladin, as well as for InterLocking Software, Paladin’s affiliate company... (Full Article) |
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Free tax workshop offered to local businesses |
| The Bremerton office of the Department of Revenue is holding a free New Business Outreach workshop to help new and small businesses understand how to report their state taxes. The workshop will be held on July 20, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sheridan Park Community Center, 680 Lebo Blvd, Rooms B and C, in Bremerton... (Full Article) |
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Kitsap firm offers nation’s first GIS
web service for water utilities |
| Evergreen Rural Water of Washington (ERWoW), the state’s professional water and wastewater association, announced a first of its kind partnership agreement with Applied Digital Mapping (ADM), a Kitsap County company and leader in location-based technologies... (Full Article) |
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Supreme Court expands
age discrimination protections |
| The Supreme Court has recently ruled that employers could be held liable for age discrimination even if they never intended to discriminate in their corporate actions or benefits policies... (Full Article) |
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Kitsap County CDC receives grant |
| Washington Mutual kicked off the Kitsap County Community Development Corporation’s (KCCDC) 2005 campaign to increase its Revolving Loan Fund with a $3,500 grant... (Full Article) |
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Olympic Printer Resources
expands at new location |
| Kingston’s Olympic Printer Resources, Inc., a firm that recycles and remanufactures printer toner cartridges, has moved into a new, larger facility in the Arbor Business Park, situated off Bond Road between Kingston and Poulsbo at 26127 Calvary Lane... (Full Article) |
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CDC helps finance new day care center |
| The Kitsap County Community Development Corporation (CDC) recently made a loan to Trina Collins to start PlayCare DayCare at 1211 NE McWilliams Road in Bremerton. The business is a home-based childcare service for infants to 12 year olds, and will open for business this month... (Full Article) |
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CASH seeking volunteers for mentor program |
| Washington Community Alliance for Self-Help (CASH) is currently inviting applications for the position of Bremerton Volunteer Business Mentor. This program is offered to low-income entrepreneurs who are working to achieve self-sufficiency through self-employment. CASH offers an intensive business training class, ongoing workshops, mentoring, and microloans... (Full Article) |
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American Marine Bank opens in Belfair |
| American Marine Bank (AMB) and the Belfair Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony recently for the new banking office in the Belfair Safeway. American Marine Bank staff, Safeway employees, the Mason County Commissioner and Chamber members were present to celebrate the opening... (Full Article) |
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Kitsap County receives $324,650
for boating projects |
Boating projects in eight counties will receive grants totaling more than $4 million, with Kitsap County receiving $324,650, the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation recently announced.
“Washington has more than 250,000 registered boats and we need to make sure that the facilities in the state can accommodate those boaters and protect the environment,” said Laura Johnson, director of the Office of the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation. “These grants invest money in fixing what we have and making improvements so it’s easier for people to enjoy their time outdoors.”
For more details, visit www.iac.wa.gov/Documents/Press_Releases/BFP_projs_2006.htm. |
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Sell steps-up as interim BPA director |
| Mark Sell has agreed to step in as interim managing director at BPA, filling the position vacated by Per Sherwin. Sell remains enthusiastic about the organization’s vitality and vision for the future. |
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Plein Air Painters at Bainbridge Winery |
On July 22-24 Plein Air Washington, a group of painters who love to paint outdoors on location, will have a gala painting event and sale at the Bainbridge Island Vineyards and Winery. The event is open to the public.
On July 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. the paintings will be offered for sale. Those paintings not sold will be on display and available for sale on the 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the winery.
Visit www.pleinairwashington.com for more information. |
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Local company scores with 64 new partners |
| At the recent Insights 2005 show and the annual Best Software business partner meeting; Bainbridge Island-based Avalara scored a remarkable coup by signing 64 new business partners to represent the firm’s AvaTax ST; as a third-party add-on to Best’s premier SMB-market software packages,” according to CEO Jared Vogt. |
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Old Navy navigating to Silverdale |
In August, teen-agers and the young at heart will find a new hip place to shop in Kitsap. Old Navy plans to open a retail outlet in Silverdale, next to the Best Buy store on Ridgetop Boulevard.
The Best Buy building is being remodeled to accommodate for its new neighbor. The company, which is owned by parent Gap Inc., has various permit approvals with a few others pending. The store is planned to occupy 19,000 square feet, slightly more than the locations in Auburn and Bellevue and about half the Seattle store.
About 200 Old Navy locations are planned to open around the country in the next two years. At the same time, Gap will close nearly 100 stores as it refocuses its growth strategy.
Another new store will join Old Navy in offering trendy fashion of the younger generation. Buckle Inc. will open a store in the Kitsap Mall in July, one of nine new outlets planned in the state. |
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Art event to be held at
Northwest Design Center and Furniture Gallery |
The Northwest Design Center and @WORKartwork and are hosting an evening of art and fine furnishings.
Artist representative Denise Gargano of @WORKartwork and Constance Swanlund, owner of Bad Blanche Collection, are holding the event in Bad Blanche’s newest location, The Northwest Design Center and Furniture Gallery located at 18850 State Hwy 305 in Poulsbo.
The event will include local, regional and international artists such as Anna, Hoey, Warren Knapp and Lisa Stirrett. Styles include contemporary impressionist, encaustic as well as fine art photography.
The event will be held from 6 until 9 p.m. on Saturday July 16. The public is welcome. |
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Washington CASH sets next course |
An information meeting for Washington CASH’s free nine-week business training program will held Wednesday, July13th, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Sylvan Way Library, 1301 Sylvan Way in Bremerton.
This entrepreneurial training program is open to Kitsap County residents with limited capital who are ready to start their own small business, or who have recent start-ups.
Washington CASH is a non-profit organization that provides business training, micro-credit lending, technical business assistance and peer support to enable individuals with limited resources to attain self-sufficiency through self-employment.
To register, call (360) 698-4088. |
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Pinnacle Business Connections moves venue |
Pinnacle Business Connections is moving its meetings to the Bayside Broiler effective this month.
The speaker on July 19 will be Maria Marsala, who will conduct a mini-workshop on “Stop Burning Your Marketing Dollars: Creating an Ideal Client Profile.”
Guests are welcome and membership is open to one business of each category. For additional information contact Ellen Dougherty, membership chair at (360) 697-5724 or visit www.pbcnk.com. |
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Baskets Unique earns spot
in Top 100 basket firms |
| Debbi Burton, owner of Baskets Unique in Bremerton, has earned a spot on Gift Basket Review’s America’s Top 100 gift basket businesses in both the top gift basket revenue producer for 2004 and the top 50 fastest growing gift basket companies in America. |
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Apple Tree Cove Animal Hospital
earns accreditation |
| Apple Tree Cove Animal Hospital, located in Kingston, has again received accreditation following a comprehensive evaluation by the American Animal Hospital Association which includes a quality assessment review of the facility, medical equipment, practice methods and pet health care management. |
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The Northwest Design Studio opens |
The Northwest Design Studio, located within the Design Center, located on State Hwy 305 and Hostmark in Poulsbo, provides interior design services to both residential and commercial clientele.
Janet Weber is the studio’s designer and has twenty years of interior design experience. Together with Lauren Meyer and Kim McCall the studio offers clients professional and creative advice.
Client consultations are by appointment only and can be reached at (360) 598-4828. |
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Local Farmers agent earns Topper Club honors |
Wayne Tripp of Port Orchard, has been honored by Farmers Insurance Group for his achievements during 2004. He has been invited to attend the 2005 annual meeting of Farmers’ top sales producers.
Tripp represents Farmers Insurance through his agency, which is located at 104 Tremont Street in Port Orchard. |
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Gig Harbor offers new clothing line |
The City of Gig Harbor added a new clothing line this summer, featuring the popular city logo. The new line includes sweatshirts, competitors’ jackets, fleece vests and more.
The Eddon Boat logo is also new this season and will be featured on denim shirts, commemorating Gig Harbor’s boat building heritage. The city recently purchased the historic 1.3-acre Eddon Boat yard to turn into a civic park. |
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Dr. Owen Davies Memorial Golf Classic
set for July 30 |
The Harrison Foundation Golf Classic has changed is name to honor a long time friend. The newly named Dr. Owen Davies Memorial Golf Classic is scheduled for July 30 at the Kitsap Golf and Country Club. It will be a 1:30 p.m. shot-gun start for this 19th annual fund-raising tournament to benefit Harrison Hospital Foundation.
The $125 tournament entry fee includes green fees, tournament memento, awards banquet, competition for golf prizes and prize money redeemable at the Kitsap Golf and Country Club Pro Shop.
Major financial sponsors include Lane Title Company and Tim Ryan Construction. For more information, contact Susan Phillips, special event coordinator at Harrison Hospital Foundation at (360) 792-6762. |
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NK Fire and Rescue becomes county’s
first EnviroStar fire department |
North Kitsap Fire and Rescue recently became the first fire department in the county certified in the EnviroStars Program. North Kitsap Fire and Rescue, located at 26642 Miller Bay Road in Kingston, has demonstrated a commitment to protecting the environment by reducing and properly managing hazardous waste. They have been awarded four stars for their pollution prevention practices.
North Kitsap Fire and Rescue can be reached at (360) 297-3619. |
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Kitsap Bank names Hampton Employee
of the Quarter |
Danielle Hampton, senior mortgage loan processor at Kitsap Bank’s Silverdale Mortgage Office, has been named Employee of the Quarter. Hampton joined the Bank in 2001, and has since demonstrated the highest level of customer service to customers and co-workers alike.
Kitsap Bank President/CEO James Carmichael noted, “Danielle’s dedication, hard work, and willingness to go the extra mile are admirable traits that are to be commended.” |
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Kok named to lead Voyager Montessori |
| Renee Kok, business manager for Voyager Montessori Elementary School has replaced Ann Whitmore as head of the school. Voyager is celebrating its 10th year on Bainbridge Island this year, having expanded from serving grades 1 – 4 to include grades 5 and 6. |
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