At the core of most community economic development initiatives are efforts to attract and retain jobs and investment. It is a mandate simple to understand but challenging to execute. These initiatives are usually dominated by two separate yet related programs:

• Marketing and business (Industrial) recruitment, and;
• Local business retention and expansion.

   The one focuses on targets of opportunity beyond the boundaries of the community. It is the “glamour” side of economic development and a potential consumer of significant financial resources. The other is about organic growth — about nurturing enterprise that is already here or about to emerge. Both are necessary to the building of a vibrant business and economic development community. So it is in Kitsap County.

The KREDC recently received a contract award in the amount of $121,000 from the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) to undertake a comprehensive Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program in Kitsap County. It was one of seven economic development organizations to receive funds for such an initiatives in a statewide competition. The scope of the project will be confined to agencies, organizations, and enterprises located in Kitsap County, Washington.

   The goals of the BRE program are several:

• To implement an early warning system that identifies Kitsap County businesses encountering “crossroads events.” *
• To build the community’s capacity to support local business retention and expansion including better access to business-critical resources including capital, workforce, facilities and quality professional services.
• To showcase local enterprises in ways that increase their presence in local, regional, and world markets and result in new dollars coming into Kitsap County.
• To encourage business and entrepreneurial development in the community with particular attention to including select local populations that often find themselves outside the economic mainstream including young people, ages 16-25, Native Americans, and Navy personnel in transition.

   The BRE Program will focus on four industry sectors (clusters) that have significant critical mass in Kitsap County:

• Defense-Related Products and Services.
• Traditional Manufacturing to include value-added wood products, machining and metal fabrication, plastics, and composite materials.
• Marine Products, Services, and Equipment.
• Technology-Driven Products and Services to include computer software and services, telecommunications, and electronic/electrical equipment, and environmental engineering.

   The KREDC plans to engage a broad range of community interest to help it advance the program including representatives from select industry groups, experienced business executives and professional services providers, and organizations that serve or represent targeted populations.

To facilitate program management we have entered into a relationship with the Electronic Commerce Technical Assistance Group of Bremerton, a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation. The President, Donna Kirkpatrick, has more than 30 years of professional and managerial experience in business and entrepreneurial development, including government and department of defense procurement practice.

The BRE program incorporates a significant data gathering, mining, and management component. The plan is to create a comprehensive inventory of Kitsap County’s business resources and assets, and to facilitate access to them. We will cast the net widely and select from respondents those enterprises most likely to benefit from full participation in the BRE program regardless of their size or stage of development. We are looking particularly for businesses that have the potential to create new jobs and attract investment over the next 3-5 years.

Maintaining the confidentiality of the information and data that businesses provide is a priority. Non-disclosure agreements have been completed by staff and will be required of all program participants. Beyond data specific to the retention or expansion profile of participating companies, the information gathered will be used for the following purposes:

• To upgrade the content and delivery of applicable resources and support.
• To identify gaps in the early warning system for business retention.
• To engender pride and mutual respect among members of Kitsap County’s business community and to facilitate cooperation.
• To augment KREDC’s marketing and business recruiting efforts.

   Companies selected to participate in the BRE program will have the opportunity to:

• Create a business retention and expansion profile.
• Better manage “crossroads events.”
• Expand and leverage their network of business associates.
• Attend relevant business education programs and seminars.
• Improve their access to local business resources and services.
• Access market research and business development opportunities.

   Participation in the BRE program is restricted to companies/enterprises that are based in Kitsap County. Those that wish to apply for the program or otherwise participate by providing relevant information about their businesses are encouraged to access the KREDC website — www.kitsapedc.org — and go to “BRE Program Information.” BRE information and registration will be available May 1.

*NOTE: “Crossroads Events” typically include but are not limited to:

• Declining or expanding employment base.
• Declining or expanding sales or market share.
• Technological displacement
• Significant non-local ownership and/or control.
• Changes in local leadership and/or management.
• Economic or natural disaster.
• Changes in facilities ownership or lease.
• Change in facilities requirements.
• Increasing local competitive pressure.
• Negative attitude about the community.
• Burdensome regulatory climate.