Aerial View - Bremerton Airport

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
• Local Business Retention & 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.

Studies show that up to 80 percent of all new jobs are created by existing firms rather than by attracting new businesses to the community. In 2007, WEDA (Washington Economic Development Alliance) was successful in getting increased funding to ADO's (Authorized Development Organizations) of which we are one. This increased funding expands our capabilities to respond to the needs of our local businesses and businesses looking to relocate or expand to our area. In May of 2004 the KEDC 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 was confined to agencies, organizations, and enterprises located in Kitsap County, Washington. More...

Our BRE Program continues with "Outreach". Currently, we are visiting businesses in the community to evaluate the current business climate, identify common concerns and needs that exist and to assist businesses connect with the resources they need. If you'd like to be a part of our program, contact us for more information.

Economic Development IS Everybody's Business