August 2014 Luncheon Speakers Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce luncheon meetings are held at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St., at noon each Monday, federal holidays excluded. Everyone is welcome!
Aug. 4 - Dan Youra.
If your web site isn’t mobilized for smart phones, you’re losing money. Youra tells you how to get updated. Sponsor Kitsap Bank
Aug. 11- Deb Stinson and Danny Milholland
Stinson and Milholland will talk about neighborhood emergency preparations and fill people in on the All County Picnic. Sponsor Kitsap Bank
Aug. 18 - Carla Caldwell
The Executive Director for the Jefferson County Community Foundation will share information with the arts and business communities about how the arts are driving our local economy and how we can build on our success. Sponsor Jefferson County Bar Association
Aug. 25 - Kris Mayer
The leader of KLMayer Consulting Group will talk about charter schools and other education topics of note. Sponsor Cafe Bon Appetit at Fort Worden
Kitsap Bank offers business ‘edg3’ Seeing the importance small businesses have on local economic development, Kitsap Bank has launched a small business competition which aims to be an innovative way for small businesses to gain visibility, while competing for a much-needed cash infusion. “The majority of businesses start out using their personal funds, whether it’s leveraging their house, or borrowing 30, 40, 50 thousand dollars against credit cards,” comments Dominic Svornich, Branch Manager of Kitsap Bank’s Port Townsend Branch. “That’s how most businesses start.” Called “edg3 FUND™,” the competition is awarding a $20,000 cash prize to a small for-profit business based in Western Washington that is having a positive impact on the community in at least one of 3 ways: economically, socially, or environmentally. These three traits are represented by the numeral that looks like a backward “E” in “edg3,” rhyming with hedge fund intentionally. “edg3 FUND’s™ mission is to provide funding for entrepreneurs dedicated to growing our community economically, socially, or environmentally,” stated Tony George, Kitsap Bank President and Chief Operating Officer. “As a family-owned community bank, we understand the unique challenges faced
Kitsap Bank is launching a competition that will award a $20,000 cash prize to a small for-profit business based in Western Washington that is having a positive impact on the community. Above, local Kitsap Bank Operations Manager Dominic Svornich talks with a customer. (http://www.facebook.com/ for how the prize money will by small businesses. One of kitsapbank), between Aug. be a game-changer for their the biggest barriers for en1 and Aug. 15, 2014. Durcompany. Visit http://www. trepreneurs can be a lack of ing this time, the public will kitsapbank.com/edg3-fund for funding, and that is one of the be invited to vote for their more information. reasons why we created edg3 favorite. “We think there are a lot FUND™.” The top five finalists with of innovative businesses with The six-week application the most public votes will creative ideas in our local period closed July 13th, with present their business pitches market that we don’t yet over 20 percent of applicaat a live event on Sept. 10 in know,” George stated. tions coming from Jefferson Bremerton, where an indepen“With this competition, we County businesses. The next dent panel of judges will dehope to uncover some of these stage of competition is the termine the winner. The winhidden gems, fund a creative, public vote. Up to 15 semining business needs to have a sustainable business idea, finalists will be featured on Kitsap Bank’s edg3 FUND™ commitment to their idea and and help to take it to the next concept, and make the case level.” Facebook page and website,