News

Connecting with the right partners, resources, and insights can help a small business reach its next stage of growth. On Wednesday, Oct. 21, the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) brings together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community advisors at the Kitsap Conference Center in Bremerton for CONVERGE: BIPOC Biz Forum & Matchstick Lab Business Accelerator Afternoon.Designed to activate collective expertise across Kitsap, CONVERGE offers a day of networking, actionable education, and practical workshops aimed at helping local small businesses launch, scale, and thrive.Register for the morning session, afternoon session, or spend the whole day with us. Come connect with fellow business...

Kitsap Community Health Priorities (KCHP) and KEDA recently joined forces to launch a new website, KitsapHealthCareers.org, in an effort to showcase and strengthen Kitsap County’s healthcare workforce.  Kitsap Community Health Priorities (KCHP) and Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) recently joined forces to launch a new website, KitsapHealthCareers.org, in an effort to showcase and strengthen Kitsap County’s healthcare workforce. “The kitsaphealthcareers.org webpage is a result of the collective work happening as part of KCHP, led by Kitsap Public Health District. KCHP is a multiyear process that engages partners and leaders in reviewing data, identifying community health priorities, and implementing strategies to address...

Originally published in the Kitsap Sun, this article was updated with information from KEDA’s Annual Meeting and Economic Forecast on April 9. Joe Morrison, KEDA Executive Director morrison@kitsapeda.orgMy new favorite pastime is filling up my gas tank whenever it’s half full. That and monitoring prices per gallon like I never have before.Warning Signs Are Hard to Ignore Related, on Tuesday Goldman Sachs increased their probability of the US entering a recession this year to 30 percent. That same day Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, said his firm’s model now forecasts recession risk at 49 percent, “pointing to stagnant retail sales,...

The Long Game of Infrastructure—and Why It’s Worth the WaitAs we all know, there are numerous infrastructure projects happening in and around our area, from stormwater improvements affecting ferry routes to fixing a major transportation pain point.JOE MORRISON, KEDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTORWe completely understand how challenging (and frustrating!) it can be to navigate around them. So, today we’re sitting down with KEDA’s Executive Director, Joe Morrison for an inspired Q&A session.We wanted to pull the curtain back and give you more of a behind-the-scenes look at projects like these and also ask Joe for some practical advice on how to best...

With support from Matchstick Lab Micro Business Accelerator, Darren O’Connor transformed an EV charging concept into a scalable manufacturing business.In 2019, Darren O’Connor was in San Diego, hanging out. Taking a break from a career in the telecom industry that spanned over 25 years.One day, he noticed his neighbor’s plug in car charger. It was… well, a mess. It looked like our rotary phones did back in the 70s and 80s, with a cord that took on a life of its own. Kinked. Coiled. Tangled. Like a bunch of spaghetti lazily flopped onto a plate. It kinda drove him nuts. Leaning on...

From Workshop to Worldwide Waters: American-Made Fly Rod InnovationBefore a Sage fishing rod ever gets into the hands of an angler, it passes through dozens of other hands on the production floor.Time. Skill. Immense pride in crafting and perfecting what will eventually roll out the door and across the globe, from Alaska to South Africa, Montana to Mongolia.“Every team member plays a vital role in bringing a Sage rod to life and central to each worker’s process is not only a dedication to craft, but a keen understanding and appreciation of teamwork,” said operations director Eric Ludwig.It’s a heritage four...

Thousands of homes and businesses throughout the area are one step closer to getting reliable and affordable high-speed internet. This major milestone comes on the heels of a recent announcement from the Kitsap Public Utility District (KPUD) that the Washington State Broadband Office has made a preliminary allocation of $14.98 million for broadband infrastructure in Kitsap County as part of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD).Congresswoman Randall and officials from KPUD looking at a county-wide fiber heat map.“Think of it as funds being ‘reserved’ for KPUD, pending the completion of federal review and approval...

Kitsap is home to a richly diverse pool of talented residents from former Navy personnel to graduates of colleges and universities, tech centers, and military training.Kitsap County is a fantastic place to live, and KEDA is working on both attracting a talented workforce and keeping them in Kitsap County. That’s why the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) supports a variety of Workforce Initiatives to enhance retention.“When you think of a labor market, you can see that the demand side will continue to change depending on the needs of employers, whether in the private or public sectors. In our current economy, most workers,...

It’s a project seven years in the making. A string of impossibles made possible by a group of energized visionaries who dreamed of something better for a former business corridor that had become vacated, silent, and forgotten.When completed on July 12, Quincy Square will be humming. A place where you can come, hang out, listen to music, celebrate community, and pay homage to a hometown hero whose ability to beat the odds inspired generations of dreamers.“Quincy Square is truly a one-of-a-kind place in our City,” said Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler. “This new public plaza on historic 4th Street will engage...

The Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) was designed to support the vitality of our community.But how can we succeed at doing that when the economy is so turbulent? What tools can we offer our business owners to help them weather a difficult storm?Although the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) recognizes National Economic Development Week during the month of May, partnering with business owners to successfully ride the wave of economic change is a priority that never wanes. “The truth is, business owners should lean on their economic development organizations in any economy, but especially during times of significant and rapid change. There are...

Founded in the late 1980s in Kitsap County, WA, under the name Skookum, Tessera is rebranding itself, embarking on a significant evolution amid unwavering dedication to its purpose of "creating opportunities for people with disabilities.”The rebrand is not cosmetic but represents a broader vision and reaffirmation of its foundational commitment as a social enterprise to creating employment for people with disabilities. It is a strategic clarification of the company's identity and reflecting its national presence. “While we are a 501c3, we do not receive donations or charity,” said Jeff Dolven, President and CEO of Tessera. “As a social enterprise, we strive...

Joe Morrison, Executive Director, Kitsap Economic Development AllianceJoe Morrison for the Kitsap SunHow Kitsap is Tackling Healthcare Challenges with Innovation and InvestmentHealthcare is complicated, expensive, and Americans are unhappy. According to Gallup’s annual health and healthcare poll from November 2024, just 44 percent of US citizens rate US healthcare as excellent or good. That’s the lowest rating in the survey’s 21 years. In Kitsap, we also face significant challenges in healthcare. It’s worth looking at what local providers and institutions are doing to improve things here: investing in our community, reaching more patients, training more professionals, and building additional facilities.  Expanding Healthcare...

Fermentation, Community, and a Commitment to Sustainability in Kitsap CountyNational Entrepreneurship Month celebrates innovation, resilience, and the transformative power of small businesses in our communities. In Kitsap County, one local gem exemplifies these values: Iggy’s Alive & Cultured, a fermentation house founded in 2012 by Ilgvar “Iggy” Daga on Bainbridge Island. Now led by owner Paul McClellan, Iggy’s thrives on a mission to foster resilient cultures through its artisanal fermented beverages and foods. As Iggy’s celebrates its 12th year, its journey offers valuable insights into the power of community-centered entrepreneurship and sustainable practices. Rooted in People-Centered ValuesIggy’s has become more than...

KEDA's 2024 Fall Forum slide decks available:Our Fall Forum was an incredible day dedicated to celebrating and empowering small businesses in Kitsap! For those who joined us — and those who couldn’t — we’re excited to share the slide decks from the event.  VIEW PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS.   LATEST UPDATES HEREOur keynote speaker, Leo Flor, Chief Legacy Officer for Seattle’s FIFA World Cup 2026, kicked things off by energizing the crowd with a dynamic presentation. Leo dove into Seattle’s preparations and the anticipated economic impact of hosting the tournament, with an estimated 750,000 visitors flocking to the region. You can see his...

The Impact of Employee Ownership on Manufacturing CultureRichard Schwarz, CEO of SAFE Boats InternationalAs Kitsap County celebrates National Manufacturing Month, it's essential to recognize local industry leaders, such as SAFE Boats International, a world-renowned manufacturer of swiftwater patrol boats. Based in Bremerton, SAFE Boats has developed a global reputation for quality and performance. Richard Schwarz, CEO of SAFE Boats, says, “We started inventing custom designs and supporting technology like our industry-leading and patented foam collar for impact and floatation. We created sound-dampening hull designs to reduce acoustics and noise pollution in the cabin. We optimized our V-shaped hull and deadrise...

Joe Morrison, Executive Director, KEDA  Small business is big business–both in the US and in Kitsap.According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), small business employs just under half of all private sector employees in our nation (46%). In Kitsap, the number is even higher: Here small businesses employ 61% of our private sector, or about 37,000 of our 60,000 private sector workers, per census data. What a “small business” is covers a wide range of firms, from microbusinesses with five or fewer employees, to much larger firms with hundreds. Condensing SBA guidance, we can define small businesses as independently-owned companies with 500...

Workforce Development Month is recognized every September and serves as a reminder of a skilled and adaptable workforce's crucial role in driving economic growth and fostering a competitive business environment. Even though the official month has passed, the initiatives and strategies that support workforce development are relevant year-round. In Kitsap County, workforce development focuses on job creation and equipping businesses with the right talent to thrive in today's dynamic economy.One local leader with firsthand experience of the evolving workforce landscape is Kristal Thomas, Owner & CEO of Express Employment Professionals in Bremerton. Thomas emphasizes Kitsap's unique positioning, particularly with the...