The state office of Community Trade and Economic Development (CTED) in conjunction with Development Counselors International (DCI) sponsored a two-day “Fan Tour” of select Washington State communities. Kitsap County was included as part of the tour. The delegation included 10 to 12 site consultants representing national firms.

David Porter, director of the Kitsap Regional Economic Council (KREDC) led the tour through Kitsap, which culminated in a boat trip from Poulsbo back to Seattle. On the boat were a select group of local business leaders and public officials who got to mingle with the site selectors, who for the most part all represented different industries, to get a feel for what they look for when they search for a new or expansion location for a client.

“My recent attendance at the CoreNet Global Summit in Chicago in mid-May has resulted in increased interest in Kitsap County. That shows the value of being around the ball if you’re going to score in the game of economic development,” stated Porter. “A visit by these folks, who develop a wide range of businesses, is a great opportunity to attract world class investors.” Porter added that members of the DCI delegation were more interested in getting a “feel” for the community than in touring specific sites, and said he believed the event to be about building relationships, exploring options, and positioning Kitsap for future growth.