2013 Economic Forecast Event
January 29th 7-10:00am, Kitsap Conference Center, Bremerton

The Kitsap Economic Development Alliance hosts the 15th Annual Decision Makers Breakfast  January 29th from 7:00 - 10:00 a.m. at the Kitsap Conference Center, Bremerton Harborside. Acclaimed economist, John W. Mitchell Ph.D., Principal, M & H Economic Consultants, returns to deliver the 2013 Economic Forecast and provide valuable insight for the coming year.

More Events & Opportunities!

Hannover Messe Field Seminar
 State of Washington Department of Commerce 
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Seattle, WA - Registration required.

Attention Clean Tech companies! The Washington State Dept of Commerce will lead a delegation of Washington businesses to the Hannover Messe, the world's largest industrial show, in April. Plan on attending this free info session to learn why your company should be at the show too!
Click here for more information

Skanska BOOST Construction Management Accelerator Program (CMAP) 
Training Begins In January

Collaboration, communication and mutual support are the foundation for success and excellence. To help foster growth in these areas and improve our commitment to excellence on our projects, Skanska is offering the BOOST (Building with an Objective to provide Opportunity through Sustainable Training) Construction Management Accelerator Program. This series of classes will provide tips on successful bidding, LEED® tracking and project execution. In addition to learning Skanska procedures, it's a great opportunity for your firm to get to know the Skanska employees with whom you will be working. Click here for more information and registration form.

All classes meet 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Jan 15 - Feb 12 classes meet at Williams Factory SBI
Feb 19 - Mar 19 classes meet at Skanska's Seattle office

Selling to the Navy / FREE Outreach & Training
January 16, 2013, 10am-12 noon, Networking: noon - 1 pm
Naval Undersea Museum, Keyport, WA
Learn the basics of selling to the Navy, what the Navy buys and how they purchase goods and services, and the basics of federal contracting. Learn about all the resources available to small business from your local Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). Meet representatives from Fleet Logistics Center, Puget Sound, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest and Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Keyport along with a representative from the local PTAC. Registration limited to small businesses with products and/or services applicable to Navy requirements.
Register online at: www.washingtonptac.org Questions? 360-377-9499 or 360-476-985

Doing Business with GSA
 The GSA Office of Small Business Utilization (OSBU) will present a five-part webinar series for vendors who would like to do business with GSA. Visit the GSA Training Page for dates and additional information.

KMHS Offers Mental Health First Aid Training
Nationally recognized course offers strategy for responding to concerns
January 30 & 31, 2013

BREMERTON - Knowing how to recognize, provide support and secure assistance for mental health concerns is the focus of a nationally recognized mental health first aid training open to the public. "Mental Health First Aiders" learn to assess a situation and respond to signs of mental health concerns, such as helping a person through a panic attack, or talking with someone who is anxious or depressed. The two-day course is useful for everyday events, and especially helpful to people working with the public. The sessions will be taught by nationally certified trainers Beth Friedman-Darner and Kathleen Talluto on January 30th and January 31st, 2013.  Cost for the training is $30; registration is required no later than January 16th, 2013. For more information, or to register for Mental Health First Aid, contact KMHS at 360-415-5801 or e-mail communityrelations@kmhs.org.

 Kitsap Business News!

Innovate Washington Launches SBIR/STTR Funding Programs
Rural, Minority and Women-Owned Businesses Encouraged to Apply
 
 SPOKANE, Wash. - Dec 11, 2012  Innovate Washington the statewide public-private partnership that is the catalyst for economic growth in Washington's innovation economy, has launched its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant-writing program.

The program connects innovators and researchers across the State with the entrepreneurial and financial capital needed to produce world-class companies and high-value jobs that will form the backbone of our region's future economy.  Visit Interested technology businesses are strongly encouraged to first view the Innovate Washington SBIR / STTR introductory web presentation in order to gain a clear understanding of the program and eligibility requirements. All grants must be awarded on or before March 31, 2013.

Washington is No. 1 on TechNet state broadband index

Dec 7, 2012 | THE KPBJ
 
Washington state ranks number one in the nation for broadband adoption, network speeds and economic structure according to a study released by TechNet, a network of CEOs and senior executives that promote the growth of technology-led innovation.

"The state's ranking reflects state broadband planning going back to 2008 and more than $2.3 billion in public and private investment in infrastructure and training during that period," said Will Saunders, program and policy director for the Washington State Broadband Office. "The study also confirms that we are ideally positioned for economic growth based on this work."

Read more  See also: Poulsbo begins free wireless internet pilot project

Boeing had a great year

Dec 3, 2012 | Don Brunell ~ Association of Washington Business

Over the last decade, the results haven't worked in Boeing's favor. Airbus has posted higher sales numbers as Boeing struggled to get its new 787 into production. However this year, Boeing, which assembles the bulk of its commercial aircraft in the Puget Sound area, is the clear winner.

Boeing reported 962 orders placed so far in 2012, more than double Airbus' 437. Read more...

Nominate Projects for the VISION 2040 Awards
Dec. 3, 2012 | SEATTLE - The Puget Sound Regional Council is now accepting nominations for its annual VISION 2040 Awards program. The awards recognize the superb work being done to achieve the region's growth, economic, and transportation strategy, VISION 2040.

http://www.psrc.org/about/awards/ for additional information or contacting Michele Leslie Potter at 206-587-4819.

Report: Economy boosted entrepreneurship in 2011
The Associated Press, Dec 3, 2012 NEW YORK
 

The slow improvement in the economy gave a huge boost to entrepreneurship in the U.S. last year, according to a new study.  More than 29 million people were starting or running new businesses in 2011, the study by Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., and Baruch College in New York shows. That was a 60 percent gain from 2010, when entrepreneurship was hurt by uncertainty about the economy.

The gain also matched the increase in entrepreneurship recorded in 2005, when the economy and small businesses were booming. Read more...

Puget Sound Partnership honors six West Sound champions

Dec 5, 20

Harrison Plans Expansion to Bainbridge Island
Multi-specialty center and 24-hour Urgent Care facility to be constructed

Nov 14, 2012 -- Harrison Medical Center and its medical group, Harrison HealthPartners, plans expansion to provide healthcare services on Bainbridge Island.  The organization just completed a purchase agreement for a 2.5 acre property at the intersection of Madison Avenue and New Brooklyn, just off of highway #305.

Harrison plans to break ground on the 13,000 square foot facility this spring.  The location was selected because of its convenient access to other local services, as well as its proximity to area long term care facilities.  Harrison's Bainbridge location will feature 24-7 urgent care, and a medical clinic featuring a Harrison HealthPartners primary care clinic, along with other community-based specialty practice physicians.

Harrison's Bainbridge facility architects will be Coates Design, with construction by Tim Ryan Construction, Inc.  The clinic and urgent care offices are expected to be open by late winter of 2014.   Click here for full story....

ATS Reports Record Growth
Silverdale, WA - November 27, 2012 -

 Applied Technical Systems (ATS)  announces record growth for 2012. Revenue is at an all time high and for the first time, essentially split evenly between defense and non-defense contracts. 

The company has broadened its base of customers while gaining tremendous momentum with several US Patent and Trademark Office software development initiatives and also within the US Navy through delivery of its Maintenance & Supportability Analysis Tool (MSAT). The company has also opened two new offices, hiring 60 new employees, 38 of which are in Kitsap County. Read more...

Poulsbo begins free wireless internet pilot project

Nov 02, 2012 | Posted by lgonzalez

 Poulsbo, home to around 9,200 residents of Kitsap County, recently became the location of an "exercise in democracy" pilot project. Amy Phan of the Kitsap Sun, reports that the town is now home to a superfast wireless hotspot made possible by a new antenna installation courtesy of the the Kitsap Public Utility District (KPUD).

According to the article: The wireless hot spot on Fourth Avenue taps into Poulsbo's existing fiber-optic cables, which have been installed for more than a decade, and far exceeds most standard broadband speeds available to consumers. [Stephen Perry, superintendent of telecommunication of Kitsap Public Utility District] said the antenna can output 300 megabytes per second - compared to standard speeds of three to 50 megabytes per second - with an estimated wireless range within a half-mile of the antenna.

120 miles of fiber already weave through Kitsap County and installation of 100 more are planned, thanks to stimulus funding. The KPUD will manage and pay for the program.  Read more...

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