New commercial and residential developments, infrastructure developments along the Highway 3 corridor, and the development and adoption of autonomous marine vehicles were discussed at the Feb. 10 Kitsap Economic Development Alliance meeting.

Shaun Raja, associate planner for Port Orchard, presented proposal for a development along Bethel Road. The project includes commercial spaces, such as for fast food establishments and car washes, along with residential units. Early discussions are about zoning, land use and design. Raja said the balance between commercial and residential growth aligns with the city’s goals for sustainable urban development.

Port Orchard Mayor Rob Putuansuu talked about residential development in the Hidden Hills area behind Bethel Road. Because of a lack of townhomes in the market, the mayor said he favored those over apartments.

“Townhomes would better align with our community’s goals for homeownership,” Putuansuu said. He emphasized that development could be well-received and offer an attractive housing option.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on infrastructure development, particularly along Highway 3 from Gorst to Belfair. KEDA executive director Joe Morrison outlined the potential for economic growth, particularly in the commercial and industrial sectors. “Improving infrastructure in this region is essential to creating jobs and fostering long-term economic development,” he said.

He added that KEDA is bringing together stakeholders to discuss infrastructure. KEDA is also planning to hire a workforce development specialist. That new position will be tasked with enhancing local talent pools and strengthening partnerships with the Navy to ensure a skilled workforce is ready for upcoming opportunities.

Also discussed was the Kitsap Industrial Land, Buildings and Infrastructure survey, which the organization conducted over six months. The study is for accomodating future federal investments, particularly the Navy’s shipyard project. “The Navy is going to need space for warehouses, administrative offices and laydown areas,” Morrison said, adding that KEDA is also helping local real estate professionals navigate Navy solicitations for those spaces.

One of the initiatives discussed at the meeting was the Washington Autonomous Vessel Coalition program. WAV-C focuses on developing and testing autonomous systems for maritime applications, including underwater drones.

Morrison shared that in the fourth quarter of 2024, the WAV-C program specifically concentrated on underwater drones used by the Navy, which remains the program’s largest customer.

“WAV-C gets a lot of interest from international delegations, so in the fourth quarter, they engaged with the Latvian Ministry of Defense and the Australia Maritime College,” Morrison said. “This quarter, they are looking to engage with Sweden, which I think is an exciting opportunity.”