FAQ

• Kitsap Public Utility District: With more than 900 miles of high-speed fiber, Kitsap County benefits from a robust public fiber-optic infrastructure backbone. KPUD provides open-access fiber-optic broadband across Kitsap County, delivering reliable service through a community-owned network.
  Centurylink covers the majority of the county with telephone, internet, TV services and wireless
• Comcast provides cable, broadband and VOIP in many areas of Kitsap County
• Wave offers cable, broadband and VOIP in some areas of Kitsap County

Kitsap County Buildable Lands Program commonly referred to as the Buildable Lands Program, is an integral part of Washington State's Growth Management Act (GMA). The program is required by the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 36.70A.215 and Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 365-196-315 and the main deliverable is the Buildable Lands Report.

The Buildable Lands Report looks at the City of Bainbridge Island, City of Bremerton, City of Poulsbo, City of Port Orchard, and unincorporated areas of Kitsap County to review if they are growing as planned. 

In addition to the reviewing growth trends, the report also evaluates urban areas to determine if there is sufficient land remaining to accommodate growth targets in local policies and plans.

The report offers government agencies across Kitsap County an opportunity to collect and evaluate data using a common framework. The Buildable Lands Report serves as an important first milestone as Kitsap County and local cities work to update their Comprehensive Plan by June 2024.

Kitsap County Nov 2021 Buildable Lands Report

Visit Buildable Lands Program (kitsapgov.com) to view additional information, including Urban Growth Area, zoning, anticipated growth and other information for:

Bremerton

Central Kitsap

Kingston

Port Orchard

Poulsbo

Silverdale

Puget Sound Energy (PSE), 888.225.5773

PSE delivers electricity, natural gas, and innovative energy solutions to more than 1.2 million customers in Washington State.

View current rate https://www.pse.com/en/pages/rates

Cascade Natural Gas Corporation, 888.522.1130

Cascade Natural Gas provides natural gas services to many parts of Kitsap County, both residential and commercial

Business Services

Rates & Tariffs

• Clean Water Kitsap – Partners in Stormwater Solutions
  • Kitsap County Public Works Stormwater Division: www.kitsapgov.com/sswm or 360-337-5777
  • Kitsap County Public Works operates and maintains treatment plants in Central Kitsap, Suquamish, Kingston and Manchester. For the most current Sewer Utility Rates and Fees, visit their website.
  • Kitsap Public Health District: www.kitsappublichealth.org or 360-728-2235
  • Kitsap Conservation District: www.kitsapcd.org or 360-204-5529​
  • Kitsap Public Utility District: www.kpud.org or 360-779-7656​
  • Washington State University Kitsap County Extension: http://ext100.wsu.edu/kitsap/nrs/ or 360-228-7300
• City of Bainbridge Island – Stormwater Management Program, 206-842-2016
• City of Bremerton Public Works – Stormwater Customer Service at 360-473-5920
• City of Port Orchard – Stormwater Contact the Public Works Department with inquiries at 360-876-4991
• City of Poulsbo Public Works Department – Stormwater at 360-779-4078 

• Kitsap Public Utility District (KPUD) provides water to many areas of unincorporated Kitsap County
• Silverdale Water District covers a large part of the Silverdale/Central Kitsap area
• Manchester Water District serves the communities of Manchester, South Colby, Harper and Southworth
• West Sound Utility District provides water and sanitary service to residential and commercial properties south and east of the City of Port Orchard
• City of Bainbridge Island serves Winslow and Rockaway Beach for water service.  Details on other water systems are found here.
• City of Bremerton Public Works maintains city water as well as sewer and storm systems
• City of Port Orchard Public Works
• City of Poulsbo Public Works provides water service within city limits.
• Kitsap Public Health District can assist in determining the correct water purveyor for your location – 360.337.5285

“Home Business” permits allow certain business uses in residential zones if they are ancillary and secondary to the primary residential use. Kitsap County Code (KCC) Title 17 ‘Zoning’,  17.110.345, 17.381.040, 17.381.060.B.1 

• Project Application
• Home Business Land Use Application

The State of Washington adopted the 2015 edition of the Uniform Building Codes as amended by the Washington State Building Codes Council for all occupancies and jurisdictions according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety.

Businesses need to be registered with Puget Sound Clean Air Agency if they have operations that generate air emissions such as dust, smoke, solvent fumes, or odors.

The Environmental Permitting Services arm of the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA)  is organized to help citizens, businesses, and project applicants understand and navigate Washington’s environmental permitting processes. Environmental permitting assistance is one of services provided by the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Innovation and Assistance.

Kitsap County is connected to major shipping routes via land, sea, and air. Accessible local highways give businesses fast access to Tacoma, Seattle, and interstate trucking routes. Commercial vehicles, with some restrictions, are also welcome aboard Washington State ferries.

Shipping lanes throughout Puget Sound were designed to accommodate the largest Naval ships and are also used frequently for commercial shipping and transportation. A number of marinas and boat yards in the county can accommodate large, commercial ships and boats.

Bremerton National Airport is minutes away from almost every location in the county and SeaTac International Airport can be reached in an hour or less by road or ferry.

Kitsap residents skip the long, frustrating commutes common in the Seattle region and travel via the uncongested and well-connected highway system that traverses the county. Kitsap residents working in the Seattle area commute aboard  Washington State Ferries which offers services to Seattle and points North and South from Kingston, Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, and Port Orchard. Bus and vanpool services are available from Kitsap and Seattle Transit.

Kitsap Transit provides passenger-only Fast Ferry service to downtown Seattle from Bremerton, Kingston and Southworth.

Kitsap Access, part of Kitsap Transit, offers shuttle services to the elderly and people with special needs. Paratransit Services, a private, non-profit organization, offers transit services to individuals receiving Medicaid services.
 

Washington State Ferries travel from four Kitsap terminals, making access to suppliers, workforce, visitors, customers a less stressful trip than those on crowded freeways.

• Seattle-Bainbridge
• Seattle-Bremerton
• Edmonds-Kingston
• Southworth-West Seattle

Kitsap Transit’s Fast Ferry routes provide rapid service from Seattle to Bremerton, Kingston and Southworth, and the foot ferry between Port Orchard and Bremerton makes commutes a breeze for South Kitsap residents.

• State Highway 16 south to Tacoma over the Narrows Bridge, spanning the Tacoma Narrows.
• State Highway 3 southwest to Shelton and on to Olympia, the state capital.
• State Highway 3 northwest across the Hood Canal Bridge to the scenic Olympic Peninsula and its centuries-old rain forests in Olympic National Park.

• Bremerton National Airport's FAA certified all-weather, fully lighted 6,000 foot runway accommodates general aviation and jet aircraft.
• Port of Poulsbo’s marina seaplane base can handle general aviation craft up to 12,000’
• Apex Airpark is a private airfield with a 2500’ runway
• SeaTac International Airport can be reached in an hour or less by road or ferry

• Puget Sound & Pacific Railroad, owned by Rail America and headquartered in Elma, Washington, provides rail service to a number of locations in the southern and central portions of Kitsap County, including Olympic View Industrial Park, adjacent to Bremerton National Airport. The railway’s routes are:
  • Bremerton Jct – Bremerton, WA (4.6 miles)
  • Centralia – Elma – Aberdeen – Hoquiam, WA (73.5 miles)
  • Elma – Shelton – Bremerton Jct – Bangor, WA (68 miles)
  • Centralia (Lakeside Siding) – Chehalis, WA
  • Chehalis – Curtis, WA
  • Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad routes intersect in Centralia with BNSF Railway Company and Union Pacific Railroad; and in Shelton with Simpson Timber Company’s railway line.
     

• Kitsap County has expedited access to three deep-water ports in Grays Harbor, Seattle and Tacoma
• Multiple marinas throughout the county create welcoming havens for boaters and tour boats

• Federal Express and United Parcel Service have distribution centers in Bremerton, servicing the entire county
• Commuter air cargo is also available from Bremerton National Airport to Seattle Tacoma International airport.
• In 2020 Amazon built a new 117,000 square-foot facility facilitating last-mile delivery, situated adjacent to Bremerton National Airport
• Several private trucking lines serve the county, carrying supplies in and product out.

Very Important PPP Loan Update For Sole Proprietors

One-person operations, like sole proprietorships and independent contractors, have had a particularly hard time applying for PPP funds. To help these businesses, the SBA will overhaul the way PPP qualifying loan amounts are calculated. Sole Proprietor loans were based on the profit they reported on their annual taxes. That disqualified unprofitable businesses and also severely limited the size of the loans available to business owners who try to report as little taxable income as possible. 

Loans for sole proprietors will now be based on *gross income,* a figure that excludes many expenses. That will allow unprofitable and low profit businesses to qualify and to receive much larger loans. 

What happens to those who already received loans but would now be eligible for bigger ones? Unfortunately, those customers are out of luck. The S.B.A. will not retroactively change loans that have been disbursed, and it will not let those who already got loans return them and reapply. 

Contact your lender or one of these participating online lenders to get more information: 

• Prosper http://ow.ly/Hmhx50DI3cn 
• Lending Club http://ow.ly/mo4p50DI3cm 
• OnDeck http://ow.ly/Bt5b50DI3cl 
• Kabbage http://ow.ly/CO1x50DI3cq 
• Square http://ow.ly/u33V50DI3cr 
• Amazon http://ow.ly/tD9W50DI3cp 
• Lendio http://ow.ly/jGGr50DI3cs 
• BoeFly http://ow.ly/7Ixh50DI3co

Read More:
https://www.sba.gov/article/2021/feb/22/sba-prioritizes-smallest-small-businesses-paycheck-protection-program?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The SBA’s Express Bridge Loan allows small businesses that have an existing business relationship with a participating lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.

SBA also offers additional Coronavirus relief.

Now What? Steps You Can Take to Prepare to Apply

The SBA is reaching out via email to EIDL applicants who already received a partial EIDL Advance (between $1,000 – $9,000) with instructions to determine their eligibility for a Targeted EIDL Advance.

One of the qualifications is the business must be located in a low-income community as defined in section 45D(e) of the Internal Revenue Code. To help potential Targeted EIDL Advance applicants determine if they are located in a low-income community, a new mapping tool is now available.

Use mapping tool

Program details

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5 Steps the SBA Will Implement to Further Promote Equitable Relief for Main Street Small Businesses Yesterday the Biden-Harris Administration and the SBA announced steps the agency is taking with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to further promote equitable relief for America’s mom-and-pop businesses. With the exception of the first item, the following will start next week:

1. Starting Feb. 24, the SBA will establish a 14-day, exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees.
2. The SBA will allow sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals to receive more financial support by revising the PPP’s funding formula for these categories of applicants.
3. The agency will eliminate an exclusionary restriction on PPP access for small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions, consistent with a bipartisan congressional proposal. 
4. Also, the SBA will eliminate PPP access restrictions on small business owners who have struggled to make federal student loan payments by eliminating federal student loan debt delinquency and default as disqualifiers to participating in the PPP. 
5. Ensure access for non-citizen small business owners who are lawful U.S. residents by clarifying that they may use Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply for the PPP.

Read more

Now What? Steps You Can Take to Access PPP Funding

Keep in communication with your PPP lender – regardless the size of your small business, continue to work with your lender to keep the application process moving.

Find a PPP lender if you don’t already have one – use the PPP Lender Map or Lender Match tools to find a lender accepting PPP lenders.

Work with an SBA Resource Partner – connect with local mentors and advisers to help you prepare your application and devise the best financial and strategic plan to move your business forward.

Attend an informational webinar – local SBA staff and SBA Resource Partners are providing webinars that share program information, updates and resources to help you prepare for the PPP application process. View upcoming webinars in the Seattle District, Portland District, Boise District or Alaska District.

More information and updated PPP Lender forms, guidance, and resources are available at www.sba.gov/ppp and www.treasury.gov/cares.

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll. Borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness.

SBA is currently offering PPPloans until May 31, 2021. President Biden announced program changes to make access to PPP loans more equitable.

Learn more, find a lender, get technical assistance and learn about other options at https://www.smallbizhelpwa.com/ppp

This website has been developed in partnership with the Washington State Small Business Recovery Working Group to provide current and accurate information on the available relief programs for Washington’s small businesses and eligible non-profits, as well as those organizations that assist them. You’ll also find here answers to frequently asked questions, how to find individual technical assistance, how to find a lender, training opportunities and where to find more detailed program information.

The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This covers all principal, interest and fees on current and new SBA 7(a) loans made through Sep. 27, 2020, for up to six months.

This loan advance will provide up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties that does not have to be repaid. In the latest package, Congress appropriated an additional $10 billion for this program. This complements the traditional SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program which has been in place for the entire nation, all territories and Washington, D.C. since mid-March. Approval notification is estimated at approximately three days.

Free Internet is available at hotspots statewide to serve residents who don’t have broadband in their homes and broadband wifi to search for jobs, telework, file unemployment, do homework, complete the census or access telehealth appointments. Be sure to use good social distancing and hygiene practices at these mobile sites.

As we enter the third wave of COVID, this planner walks you through what you need to do in order to make the necessary adjustments to your business operations to reduce or suspend operations.

The effects of COVID-19 have negatively affected Washington’s small businesses across the state. Those in marginalized communities have been hit especially hard. We are investing in and partnering with organizations that provide linguistically and culturally appropriate assistance to these business owners.

If you are a business, non-profit or worker with general inquiries, please use this form for issues related to financial help, the Safe Start policy plan for returning to work, safety guidelines for your sector or business, and other assistance related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state has put together a meta site of resources, links and official updates for use by businesses and workers related to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Recent News Releases Related to Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act (www.sba.gov/newsroom)

• Jan. 11 – SBA Re-Opens PPP to Community Financial Institutions First
• Jan. 10 – SBA Extends Crucial Lifeline to Borrowers Impacted by COVID-19 with Debt Relief
• Jan. 8 – SBA and Treasury Announce PPP Re-Opening; Issue New Guidance

PPP Revised Website: www.sba.gov/ppp or www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection

PPP New Fact Sheets

• Paycheck Protection Program First Draw Loans: Overview (sba.gov)
• Paycheck Protection Program Second Draw Loans: Overview (sba.gov)

PPP Lender Guidance, Interim Final Rules, etc.

Where borrowers can find lenders: www.sba.gov/lendermatch

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Webinar: Thursday, Jan. 14 at 12 p.m. PST

Where to get future updates:

• Visit website: www.sba.gov (more specifically, www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection or www.sba.gov/coronavirus )
• Subscribe to email updates: www.sba.gov/updates
• Follow on social media: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn               
• Contact SBA district office: (the SBA staff in this thread)

The Kitsap Small Business Development Center will help you navigate available SBA loans and provide you with no-cost business consulting.

To get started, complete our client engagement form and we will connect you with the resource that best fits your needs! Make your next appointment here.

The Small Business Administration (SBA), in partnership with the US Treasury, opened the preliminary Payroll Protection Program (PPP) application portal on Monday, January 11. This preliminary portal is focused on select minority and disadvantaged business institutions that serve clients seeking a “first-draw” PPP loan. We are awaiting further instructions for individual first-draw and second-draw PPP loan applicants. To get a head start preparing, please consider participating in one or more training webinars offered by the Washington State Business Development Center (WSBDC):

• 1/15/21 SBA Round 2 COVID-19 Relief + PPP Application: https://wsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/99271349
• Additional PPP webinars are planned every Friday at 10:00am into March. Information on these and other webinars can be found at: https://wsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events

For more background information on the next round of PPP lending, check out the Washington State Department of Commerce: http://startup.choosewashingtonstate.com/links/crisis/covid-19-resources/ppp-summary-round2/

SBA is providing materials in languages other than English to help business owners recover

PPP Review with Kitsap SBDC Business Advisor, Jaime Forsyth

If you have questions about the Paycheck Protection Program this is the webinar for you! Kitsap WWU SBDC Business Advisor, Jaime Forsyth provided an overview of the current status of PPP loans, including the limited time opportunity for priority 1st Draw applications.

View slide deck here: SBDC March 4 Review of PPP

Click here for KEDA Slide deck

Need help understanding SBA Loans, EIDL, Shuttered Venue Grants, and other options? Contact:

Jaime Forsyth, MBA 
Certified Business Advisor
WWU Small Business Development Center
kitsapsbdc@wwu.edu | (360) 447-8788
Sign-up forKitsap SBDC newsletter

For the next Kitsap Digital Hour will focus on The Future of Broadband in Kitsap County with a presentation from Kitsap KPUD.

Nonprofit Community Relief grant application portal opens May 10 for eligible Washington state organizations

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce is partnering with ArtsFund to provide over $10 million in grants to help community organizations across the state that have been impacted by the pandemic. The Nonprofit Community Relief grant program focuses on arts, culture, science and heritage nonprofits, as well as organizations whose primary mission is to serve veterans, neighborhood organizations and sports and recreation programs for adults and/or children.

Funding

Grants range from $2,500 to $25,000. Awards must be used to cover expenses incurred between March 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021, due to financial hardship incurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds will be awarded as unrestricted grants but cannot be used to cover expenses previously covered by other COVID-19 related public or private funding sources including Paycheck Protection Program funds.

Click here for eligibility requirements, FAQs, and application info.

The SBA continues to provide additional information and updates about the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. The SBA is in the process of setting up the grant program and is not yet accepting applications.

Details about SVOG 

Now What? Steps You Can Take to Prepare to Apply

Read the updated FAQs to get the latest information clarifying eligibility, allowable use of funds, and other important information.

Watch a video about SAM.gov registration. In order to apply for the SVOG, entities will need to first register in the System for Award Management (SAM) for federal assistance awards.

Sign up for email alerts specific to the SVOG to get the latest news and information about the program. 

DUNS# and SAM.gov registration are required to apply for the SVOG

Click here for FAQs, process, application portal and more info

Need help? Contact Jaime Forsyth -MBA Certified Business Advisor

WEBINAR: Preparing for the SVOG:   https://wsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/99271513

UPDATE: You can receive both a PPP loan and an SVOG! Click here for more information application portal will open on April 8. 

For this federal grant, both a DUNS# and SAM.gov registration are required. 

Click here for FAQs, process, application portal and more info

 Video Tutorials

SAM.gov Entity Registration Training – registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is required to apply for federal assistance awards like the SVOG.

• Spring 2021 Child Care COVID-19 Supports
• Apoyos para el cuidado infantil durante la COVID-19 – Primavera 2021
• Taageerada Daryeelka Carruurta COVID-19 ee Gu’ga 2021

Spring 2021 Child Care COVID-19 Grant is scheduled to open in late April and will be available for four weeks. All licensed child care providers who are serving children are eligible to apply.

The School-Age Incentive will offer a one-time payment to licensed school-age providers serving school-age children accessing subsidy in the months of February, March, and April 2021.

The Spring Family, Friends, and Neighbor (FFN) Incentive will offer a one-time payment to FFN providers who have provided care to children receiving subsidy during the COVID-19 pandemic and claim a subsidy payment for both January and February 2021.

More information on all of these supports will be available on DCYF’s website later this month. In the meantime, watch the DCYF Early Learning and Child Care COVID-19 page for updates.

Additionally, please hold Tuesday, April 20, on your calendars for an important Child Care Provider COVID-19 Update webinar. DCYF will provide an overview of the Spring 2021 Child Care COVID-19 Supports along with details on how to access the supports.
Clicker here to learn more

• Entertainment Reopening Guide
• Hotel COVID-19 Operations Guide
• Reopening 2021
• Restaurant Reopening Guide
• Toolkits

Portal Now Open!

The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.

Click here for Program Details & Documents

Hotline phone number 844-279-8898

• Restaurant Revitalization Fund program guide
• Restaurant Revitalization Fund sample application (SBA Form 3172)

The application portal will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted. Qualifying applicants should familiarize themselves with the application process in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient application. Follow the steps below. Register for an account. If you are working with Square or Toast, you do not need to register.

RRF GRANT REVIEW WEBINAR If you were unable to attend one of the webinars held earlier this week which covered RRF program details and a demonstration of the application portal, you can watch the recording here.

Review the sample application, updated program guide and cross-program eligibility chart on SBA COVID-19 relief options. 

For more information visit sba.gov/restaurants. 

Additional Resources:

Kitsap WWU Small Business Development Center
Jaime Forsyth, MBA  Certified Business Advisor kitsapsbdc@wwu.edu | (360) 447-8788 Sign-up for our newsletter

Evaluate prospects’ five-year needs (identifying what POB can do to be ready for long-term opportunities)

1. CTE. Increase certificated graduates from CTE programs in high schools, emphasizing trades and other careers in Kitsap that do not require 4-year college degrees.

Explore healthcare careers in Kitsap County:

Open positions in primary care 

• Doctors Clinic positions 
• Kaiser Permanente Silverdale & Port Orchard Medical Center health plan positions and Permanente Medical Group clinician positions. MultiCare Primary Care – Poulsbo positions
• Peninsula Community Health Services (a FQHC) positions
• Virginia Mason Franciscan Medical Group and Family Medicine and Residency positions

Open positions in specialty services 

• Doctors Clinic positions
• Holly Ridge positions
• Fred Hutch Cancer Center – Peninsula positions
• Martha & Mary positions 
• Peninsula Community Health Services (a FQHC) positions

Open positions with the local hospital, emergency, and urgent care system

• Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, part of CommonSpirit Health positions
• MultiCare Emergency – Bremerton positions
• Kaiser Permanente Silverdale positions

Open positions with maternal child healthcare services

• True North Birth Center 
• Virginia Mason Franciscan Health – Volunteer birth doula program and more at the Family Birth Center at St. Michael Medical Center
• Kaiser Permanente Port Orchard Medical Center
• Kitsap Public Health Nurse Family Partnership Program 
• Kitsap OBGYN 

Open positions at the local public health district

• Kitsap Public Health District positions 

Open positions serving active military, families, and veterans

• Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Clinic – Silverdale positions 
• Navy Medicine opportunities

Open positions with emergency medical services 

• Bainbridge Island Fire and Rescue positions 
• Bremerton Fire positions 
• Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue positions 
• North Kitsap Fire and Rescue positions 
• Poulsbo Fire Department positions 
• South Kitsap Fire and Rescue positions 

And many more incredible opportunities with long-term care services, dental, and additional independent practices in Kitsap County!

Questions? Please reach out to individual facilities for more information. 

Explore open positions with Kitsap’s largest healthcare employers:

• Doctors Clinic positions
• Franciscan Medical Group and Family Medicine and Residency positions 
• Kitsap Mental Health Services positions
• Peninsula Community Health Services positions
• Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, part of CommonSpirit Health positions

Explore Certificated Health Services in Kitsap School Districts 

• Bainbridge Island School District positions
• Bremerton School District positions
• Catalyst Public Schools positions
• Central Kitsap School District positions
• Chief Kitsap Academy positions
• North Kitsap School District positions
• South Kitsap School District positions

Open positions with Tribal Health services

• Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Clinic positions
• Suquamish Tribe Wellness Center and Healing House positions

Nursing and Allied Health 

Launch a career in the fast-growing and high-paying healthcare industry. Our nursing and allied health programs combine hands-on learning with real clinical experience. Explore our diverse offerings of certificates, associates, and bachelor's programs that fit your timeline and prepare you for rewarding and well-paying careers. Learn more here.

Social Sciences and Humanities Programs 

There is also a growing need for mental health and substance abuse treatment services,  Olympic College offers a variety of social sciences and humanities programs that will empower you to pursue a meaningful career providing compassionate, community-based care to those in need support. Learn more about social sciences and humanities programs, visit – human services and sociology pathways. 

Pre-Professional Health Occupations 

Olympic College offers a full two-year preparatory curriculum for students planning careers in the Health Occupations such as Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, and Medical Technology. Such students should anticipate an additional two years of work to obtain a Baccalaureate Degree and an additional one to four or more years of graduate work. Students should work closely with an advisor at the baccalaureate institution they plan to transfer to before analyzing their education plan. Learn about our - Pre-Professional Health Occupations.

Family Nurse Practitioner Residency Program 

Peninsula Community Health Services

The program is specifically intended for new family nurse practitioners who are committed to developing careers as primary care providers in the challenging setting of community health centers and other safety net settings. The residency is a 12-month program providing intensive training to both the clinical complexity of family practice in the safety net setting, and training to a high performance, primary care medical home model for primary care. Learn more here.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Residency Program 

Peninsula Community Health Services

PCHS is committed to providing effective and efficient behavioral health care in the primary care setting. Our new Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Residency Training Program will provide comprehensive training in delivering evidenced-based care in the field of mental health and substance use disorders to uninsured and underserved populations under this Collaborative and Patient-Centered Medical Home Model. Learn more here.

Pharmacy Residency 

Peninsula Community Health Services

The PGY1 Community-based Pharmacy Residency Program at PCHS was established in 2021 to prepare graduates to practice independently and develop critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in the ever-changing world of pharmacy practice. This 52-week curriculum offers training opportunities in community pharmacy, chronic disease state management, clinical services, and pharmacy leadership. The residency program is designed to offer an individualized training plan for each resident based on their interests, goals, and past experiences. Learn more here.

AEGD Dental Residency Program

Peninsula Community Health Services

PCHS is committed to providing effective dental health care services to all patients. Our new Dental Residency Training Program will provide comprehensive training in delivering excellent dental services and training with the latest technological equipment. The program will provide the new dental resident experience working with a diverse population of patients with varying needs for specialized care. Learn more here. 

Family Medicine Residency 

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health & St. Michael Medical Center

The Northwest Washington Family Medicine Residency program is cultivating the next generation of local physicians, training 24 family medicine residents annually, with eight graduating each year. Most graduates stay in the region to practice and strengthen our long-term physician workforce. The residency program is located at the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Family Medicine Clinic in Bremerton and is affiliated with St. Michael Medical Center. The program offers training including family medicine, obstetric care, women’s health, sports medicine, an embedded HIV clinic, mental health, Medication-Assisted Therapy, community engagement, and more. Learn more here.

Nurse Residency Program 

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health & St. Michael Medical Center 

Nurse Residency at St Michael Medical Center is a year-long program including a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on experience and coaching. The residency is geared towards registered nurses (RNs) with less than one year of experience and aims to support independent practice. Within 18 weeks, residents can gain a level of competency equivalent to that of nurses with 18 months of traditional onboarding. Learn more here.

Career and Technical Education and Running Start 

Each year, thousands of students graduate from high school with career goals, job skills and leadership skills knowing exactly where they will go next to further their academic and hands-on education and training. Our local school districts offer both core academic courses (math, English, science, etc.) as well as Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses and programs.

CTE classes fall into one of 16 "career clusters." A career cluster is a group of jobs and industries that are related by skills or products. Within each cluster, there are career pathways that correspond to a collection of courses and training opportunities to prepare students for a chosen career. Each cluster contains information on their related career pathways, education and training options for high school graduates, and other related student resources.

In our region, Olympic College is working closely with K12 education partners on the Health Science career cluster to align curriculum and dual credit opportunities so that students are ready to enter the workforce or an educational program at Olympic College right after graduation. Currently, Olympic College offers a combination of CTE Dual Credit and College in the High School where students access college credit onsite at the high school, in addition to Running Start where students access college credit onsite at the college. 

Questions? Please reach out to individuals facilities for more information. 

Dental Assistant Apprentice
Peninsula Community Health Services

The Dental Assistant Apprentice will participate in PCHS’s Dental Assisting Program where they will receive hands on training to work as a Registered Dental Assistant. Upon completion of the program, the student will become a Dental Assistant and work collaboratively with the dental team in providing support for dental providers. Learn more here.

Medical Assistant Apprentice
Peninsula Community Health Services

The Medical Assistant Apprentice will enter a Washington Department of Labor (DOL) registered Apprenticeship Program with Peninsula Community Health Services (PCHS), in conjunction with the Washington Association for Community Health (WACH). PCHS covers the cost of tuition and materials for each participant. The Medical Assistant Apprentice functions under the supervision of a Medical Assistant Certified (MA-C) coach and within the scope of practice that the MA-C has determined is appropriate based upon the education and skill requirements of the WACH Apprenticeship Program and as defined by the Washington Administrative Code. Learn more here.

DENTAL - Dental Profession

The Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) is an organization focused on growing the economy, businesses, opportunities, jobs and talent across all of Kitsap.

Our mission is to facilitate healthy economic growth and investments that support livable, resilient communities, fueled by innovation and the diverse people and businesses of Kitsap.

KEDA is a Public/Private/Non-Profit 501(c)(6) corporation with an associated 501(c)(3) educational charity. Our work is made possible by your investment and donations.

No. KEDA has investment partners. We’re an umbrella organization, enabling dialogue between the diverse stakeholders that drive Kitsap forward.

We bring together business and government, financial and educational institutions, defense and small businesses, entrepreneurs and employers, to come together and identify how to create greater economic opportunity for all.

That’s an easy one. Investing in KEDA means investing in Kitsap’s future and helping expand economic opportunity across our region.

Your support strengthens an organization dedicated to growing our employer base, helping existing businesses succeed, and ensuring Kitsap remains a place where businesses and communities can thrive.

KEDA works to strengthen Kitsap County’s economy by supporting business growth, attracting new investment, and building partnerships across the community. All of this advances our vision of Economic Vitality for All — In One Spectacular Place, creating greater opportunity for businesses, workers, and communities throughout Kitsap.

Yes. Whether you’re big or small, investment in KEDA starts with as little as $500. Every dollar and investor is appreciated and valued. Explore all of our investment levels by clicking here.

What are the benefits of becoming an investor in the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance?
As a KEDA investor, you’re joining a network of leaders committed to strengthening Kitsap’s economy and supporting local business success.

All investors receive access to:

• Valuable networking and connections with business leaders, public officials, and community partners across Kitsap County.
• Discounted admission to KEDA events, including signature gatherings like the Annual Economic Forecast and Fall Forum.
• Recognition as a KEDA investor, with visibility in our community and through KEDA marketing and communications materials.

Beyond these benefits, your investment helps power the work that keeps Kitsap’s economy growing and thriving
 

Yes. Through a partnership of business and government, KEDA provides free customized services to business clients in a confidential manner on challenges related to:

• Market Research and Analysis
• Site Selection
• Government Bidding & Contracting
• Exporting
• Capital Formation
• Workforce Hiring & Training
• Taxes, Regulations & Permitting
• Advanced Manufacturing & Industry Certifications
• B2B and G2B Referral Networking

Kitsap ranks high in economic development indicators such as:

• Educational attainment and skilled workforce
• Development of intellectual property
• Per capita economic output
• Median household incomes
• Unmatched quality of life

Our businesses thrive and prosper in a highly competitive marketplace. Click here for the latest economic indicators. Learn more about key indicators: Economic Trends in Kitsap County, WA

Is it expensive to do business in Kitsap?
As part of the state of Washington, Kitsap County offers an extremely favorable tax environment for business and citizens.

When it comes to the best places to make a living based on income taxes, cost of living, unemployment, Washington State consistently ranks as a Top 10 Best States for Business.

Yes!  KEDA is an APEX ACCELERATOR and part of the Washington APEX Accelerator network.

We offer no-cost, confidential, one-on-one technical assistance for all aspects of selling to federal, state, and local governments, including:

• Regulations
• Certifications
• Marketing
• Proposal review

Kitsap APEX clients also benefit from the expertise of two retired Navy contracting officers who are passionate about helping businesses navigate the complexities of government contracting. Learn more.

The Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) mission is to execute the Navy’s once-in-a-century investment to reconfigure, modernize and optimize four aging naval shipyards, including the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF), into new modern facilities that will serve our Nation into the future.

Absolutely. NAVFAC NW aims to award 42% of work to Small Business in FY25.

Click here for a current list of contract opportunities related to SIOP.

Does the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance offer support for small businesses?
Absolutely. Kitsap values our entrepreneurs and innovators, who shape the world around them.

Here you’ll find: 

• Co-working spaces
• Maker Spaces
• Premium business resources through the Kitsap Regional Library
• Kitsap Small Business Development Center
• Kitsap Community Resources B$ST Program
• Government Contracting Assistance
• ScaleUp
• Creatives Academy
• Washington’s Business Startup Playbook
• Choose Washington

Plus, our Entrepreneurship and Innovation Committee brings together many different stakeholders including entrepreneurs, small businesses, ecosystem builders, supporters, and community. Together, they work on initiatives making Kitsap a great place for building a business and attracting new technologies.

There are multiple commercial properties and land available in Kitsap including the Puget Sound Industrial Center in Bremerton, which contains about 3,700 acres planned for industrial development and use. Click here for more on Kitsap’s Industrial Assets.

Additionally, the US Department of Commerce has designated more than 500 acres of land in Kitsap County, at the Port of Bremerton’s industrial park and at Bremerton National Airport, as part of Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) 216.

You can also explore our property search tool by clicking here.

Discover more about Kitsap County's unique labor market information including monthly unemployment and nonfarm employment statistics.
Visit our website for more Economic Trends in Kitsap County, WA