News

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...Continue Reading

National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Notice of Funding Opportunity and Request for Proposals (NOFO/RFP).WSDOT is pleased to announce the following program updates: December 12 NEVI Huddle SessionWSDOT is inviting Small Businesses Enterprises, Public Works Small Enterprises, Minority and Women-Owned Businesses, and Veteran Enterprises currently certified at the state and/or federal level...Continue Reading

Opinion: How to keep and grow defense-related economic impact in WashingtonJames Collins and Dave Zeeck to The Kitsap SunThe military presence in Washington State is critical for national defense and an overwhelmingly positive force for the state’s economy.To keep it that way the state needs a new strategy and approach...Continue Reading

BREMERTON – As demand on the West Sound power grid rises due to population growth, extreme weather, and transit electrification, the City of Bremerton is advancing plans to ease the strain. A $100,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce will fund a feasibility study to explore installing solar...Continue Reading

Education professionals spend a day at shipyard, learning about career opportunities available for students By Ben Hutto, PSNS & IMF Public Affairs  View original postBREMERTON, Wash.   –  Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility played host to 17 educators, administrators and career counselors from various academic institutions from across...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

PORT ORCHARD, WA —After a two-year-long public discussion of future growth and Kitsap’s future through 2044, the Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan Update is nearing a conclusion. After receiving public testimony on Sept. 24, the Kitsap County Planning Commission has made a recommendation regarding updates to the Comprehensive Plan, Capital Facilities...Continue Reading

Federal Funds Grant Writing Assistance Program (FFGWAP)Washington is launching a program to support access to Federal Funds grant writing assistance for communities across the State. In response to the unprecedented clean energy funding available via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Washington Department...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

A four-story building at Sixth Street and Pacific Avenue in Bremerton will be leased to the U.S. Navy starting next spring. Tim Ryan Properties (TRP) announced a long-term lease of up to 10 years with the Department of Navy for 555 Pacific Avenue, currently home to The Spot co-working space...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

Advancing Proven Solutions in Maritime TechnologyOctober 8, 2024 – Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) today announced an expansion of its footprint in the Pacific Northwest with the opening of its Bremerton Maritime Tech Facility in Bremerton, Washington. This state-of-the-art center of excellence and engineering hub will help to advance maritime...Continue Reading

$145 million task order to Absher Construction Co.Story by Peiyu Lin  for the Kitsap SunThe Navy is making progress on its long-term Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, with the announcement of a $145 million dollar contract announced for a major initial project.The first significant SIOP...Continue Reading

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Northwest awarded Absher Construction Co. a $145 million task order to replace the electrical substation and perform associated infrastructure work to provide reliable power at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS) in Bremerton, Washington, Sept. 16.Awarded under an existing multiple-award construction...Continue Reading

UNITED STATESStory by William Couch, Program Executive Office-Industrial Infrastructure  - DVIDS MediaNaval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NANava Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) awarded Jacobs Engineering CH2M Hill/Clark Nexsen Energy Partners Joint Venture a $3.7 million contract for an electrical microgrid study as part of the...Continue Reading

Read full story on Kitsap Sun;  Northwest Maritime high school students could be a new hope for WSF workforce deficitIn a new program, Washington State Ferries is aiming to remedy its shortage of maritime workers by training high schoolers.About a dozen 12th graders enrolled in Northwest Maritime and Highline Public...Continue Reading

Poulsbo, WA – September 9, 2024 – The American Public Works Association (APWA) is proud to announce that the City of Poulsbo won APWA’s 2024 Public Works Project of the Year Award. Award winners publicly developed, owned, and maintained infrastructure projects that promote excellence in construction management and administration. These awards recognize...Continue Reading

News Release - Kitsap Transit Grant for buying new fast ferry to operate Kingston/Seattle route BREMERTON, Wash. – Kitsap Transit (KT) will receive $13.5 million in federal funding to buy a new fast ferry that would replace an older vessel operating the Kingston/Seattle route, improving the Kingston Fast Ferry service’s reliability.The federal funding...Continue Reading

Olympic College Press ReleaseBREMERTON – Olympic College proudly cut the ribbon today on its newly remodeled Shops building, unveiling world-class facilities and cutting-edge equipment designed to enhance hands-on learning and collaboration.The 14,000-square-foot building will for the first time bring Olympic College’s Welding, Manufacturing, Precision Machining, and Technical Design programs together...Continue Reading

KEDA recently hosted the second annual Kitsap Industrial Readiness Summit featuring Navy leadership who presented updates on the status of work related to the U.S. Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) at Naval Base Kitsap Installations.Capt. John Hale, Naval Base Kitsap commanding officer, said that the Navy plans to release...Continue Reading

 KEDA and Western Washington University Center for Economic and Business Research partner to produce Kitsap Top Employers ListSILVERDALE, WA – The Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA), in collaboration with the Center for Economic and Business Research at Western Washington University, has released its 2023 Kitsap Top Employers List. The most...Continue Reading