Companies rely on good information to make the right decisions - whether to expand, re-locate, downsize, increase employment, even to start a new business. Connections to the right resources is very important and KEDA strives to get you everything you need to create jobs and thrive. Our consortium partnership is sought after and is being modeled after by a new "pathways" group being formed in King county. KEDA will be working closely with this group to help them create the kinds of partnerships we have here in Kitsap.

Research: We offer economic impact analysis, detailed company data, custom research reports, and only through KEDA or an SBDC can you get access to high level research. We use the Economic Vitality Center for this research. Why do you need this information?

Q. How can this help my clients or my business?

The Center for Economic Vitality uses the economic gardening approach to help businesses grow, using research to assist with:

• Expansion planning
• Competitive analysis
• Identifying customers
• Site evaluations
• Feasibility analysis for start-ups and acquisitions
• Data for loan justification
• Locating capital
• Human resource allocation, compliance and management
• Marketing plans and strategy

For Economic Development Service Providers: The Center for Economic Vitality uses the economic gardening approach to help businesses grow. If you serve business clients, the economic gardening program can supplement the counseling and assistance you provide with secondary market research and data. This saves you time and energy and provides your clients with access to valuable information.

Q. What kind of information is available?

A. The Center for Economic Vitality has access to a wide range of research tools and products. With these tools and the knowledge of our research team, we are able to provide:

• Local, regional and national demographics
• Industry trends and outlooks
• Marketing and business plan review
• Market research
• Consumer profiles
• Import and export information
• Financial and accounting information and education
• Competitive environment and trends
• Wage and benefits data and comparisons
• Human resources management
• Financial benchmarks
• Supplier or distributor lists
• Potential client/customer lists
• Media contact lists
• Competitor lists and data
• Samples and templates for a variety of business and industry documents
• Business structure research

Population

Kitsap County: 243,400
Puget Sound Region: 3.5 million

Growth Stays Ahead of State, National Trends

• Of the 39 counties in Washington State, Kitsap County ranks as the third most densely populated at 605 people per square mile, behind King County with a density of 841 and Clark County at 610. The state average is 93 people per square mile.
• Kitsap residents Population: 243,400 (Estimated as of December 31, 2006 data from The State of Washington Office of Financial Management)
• High Schools: 7
• Olympic College: 6,700
• Median household was projected to be $55,587 according to the Office of Financial Management
• Kitsap County is part of a four-county, Puget Sound economic region with a population of 3.5 million. Together with King (Greater Seattle), Pierce (Greater Tacoma area), and Snohomish (Greater Everett area) counties, the central Puget Sound region makes up about 55% of the entire state’s population.

Kitsap County, sixth largest in population of the state’s 39 counties, outpaced the state of Washington’s growth rate between 1990 and 2003. While the county grew by 22% in ten years, the state increased population by 21%. The county ranks 17^th of the 39 counties as the fastest percentage rate of growth during the 10 year period.

Visit the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) site for more detailed information.

How Kitsap Ranks

Age & Sex