The board of directors for the new Kitsap County Community Development Corporation has hired Jean Charneski, a well-known longtime local business banker, as its loan officer and administrator.

Created this spring by the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners to promote higher employment and encourage new jobs in Kitsap County, this public corporation will provide small business loans to new and expanding businesses and counseling to business owners.

Serving on the new board are Stewart “Skip” Nordal, chairman; Mike Walton, secretary; Bill Hawkes, treasurer; Justin Jensen and Benjamin Smith, board members. The board plans to add another banker and an attorney to complete the board.

Charneski will be available to provide technical assistance to small- and medium-sized businesses. She will market a revolving loan fund and help with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan packaging.

Kitsap County Commissioners decided to establish the public corporation to work with local banks and small businesses. “This program, modeled on similar organizations, is an important tool for Kitsap’s economic development tool box,” said Commissioner Chris Endresen. “The program will give many small companies the financial assistance they need to grow their business to the next level.”

Charneski’s temporary office is located at 645 Fourth St. in Bremerton with the Olympic College Small Business Center. She can be reached at (360) 373-7194 or at charneski@donobi.net.