To help cultivate economic growth in Kitsap County, Ballard-based Viking Bank has set up a special Kitsap County Advisory Board, announced Patrick Redmond, the bank’s president. “The board will focus on encouraging the success of small businesses throughout Kitsap County, especially in rapid growth areas like Poulsbo and Silverdale,” said Redmond.

Viking has an office in Poulsbo and recently contributed $5,000 to the Kitsap Regional Economic Development Council’s new marketing fund.

Leading the board is Dr. Thorpe M. Kelly, chairman of the board of Viking Financial Services Corporation. Dr. Kelly founded Viking Bank in 1992 along with seven other Puget Sound businesspeople. The Kitsap Advisory Board also includes: William Moore, owner and operator of Kitsap Farm Garden & Tractor in Silverdale; Doug Nelson, owner of ReMax Realty on Bainbridge Island and partner in several residential developments on Bainbridge Island and commercial projects in Kitsap County; Scott Fladgard, owner and operator of Pacific International Tool & Sheer in Poulsbo, and Brenda Prowse, owner and operator of Brenda Prowse Real Estate in Poulsbo.

The Kitsap County Advisory Board’s continuing agenda will be to fulfill its goals of identifying challenges hindering small-business growth, using financial resources to encourage market expansion and offering solutions in areas of public concern.