Kitsap chamber continues to grow despite economic challenges

By Elisha Meyer Kitsap News Group • July 5, 2024 1:30 am
Elisha Meyer/Kitsap News Group John Morrissey, right, serves as the chair of the Greater Kitsap Chamber’s Board of Directors.
Elisha Meyer/Kitsap News Group John Morrissey, right, serves as the chair of the Greater Kitsap Chamber’s Board of Directors.

Kitsap RV owner John Morrissey has managed to keep his foot to the pedal in his drive to champion small business in Kitsap County, even as he campaigned and was elected to the Port Orchard City Council last November.

Standing before hundreds of business constituents with the Greater Kitsap Chamber, the chair of its board made clear that business, where the chamber is concerned, is continuing to see success.

Morrissey said in a brief State of the Chamber address: “This year has been one of growth and resilience for the Greater Kitsap Chamber. Despite ongoing challenges, our community has shown remarkable strength and adaptability.”

Membership has grown to 572 as of June 26. Just under a sixth of those became new members since July of last year, joining a diverse group of members that Morrissey said are enjoying enhanced member services and newly introduced programs and services, including advanced networking, learning and community engagement opportunities.

Notable accomplishments this year included a partnership with Leadership Kitsap to launch the Kitsap Women’s Summit in March. Advocacy efforts were recognized as well, having taken shape in an in-person legislative day and hill climb in Olympia.

“Particularly, our delegation to Olympia with our partners at the Association of Washington Business was the largest in the state,” Morrissey said.

Another success: The annual Armed Forces Day Festival in which the chamber partners with the Kiwanis Club of Bremerton saw its largest number of participants at 146 this year entertaining the thousands of people on the parade’s sides.

Thousands more traveled between Silverdale and Bremerton on a pop-up ferry service for the Blackberry Festival in 2023. The Carlisle II’s successful runs not only generated additional foot traffic at the event but added to a renewed conversation for a modernized local ferry system beyond what Kitsap Transit offers.

Numbers as they pertain to the economy have not always been so kind to the chamber’s members. “Supply chain disruptions still exist today as well as labor shortages, fluctuating market conditions have affected many of you sitting here today,” Morrissey said. “In response, the chamber has been protective in providing resources and support to help businesses navigate these difficulties.”