The Kitsap Regional Economic Development Council’s (KREDC) Annual Membership Event will take place on Wednesday, March 21, at the Silverdale Hotel from 8 to 10 a.m.

The featured speaker will be Greg Post, Regional Vice President, Nextel Communications Inc. He will talk about the company’s decision to locate its new 60,000 square foot call center, which will employ up to 500 people, in Kitsap.

Nextel’s presence, along with the recent decision of American Financial Solutions to locate a call center here, establishes Kitsap on the national map as a good place for telecommunications businesses.

Also on the agenda will be information on the progress Kitsap has made in providing an inventory of competitive building sites for other providers of primary jobs, including a case study by Ron Sciepko of his newly-opened 188-acre business industrial park.

The KREDC and the Kitsap Business Journal will jointly honor several local “Businesses to Watch” that promise to increase primary jobs in the county. Rounding out the event will be the introduction and election of KREDC Board members.

Space is limited and advance registration is required. The $25 registration fee, which includes a continental breakfast, is payable in advance by check or VISA/Master Card to the KREDC. Call Mary DesMarais or Sherri Morino at (360) 377-9499 to reserve your place. A registration form is also available at the KREDC Web-site at www.kitsapedc.org.