PORT ORCHARD — Village Greens Golf Course was the winner of the $5,000 Community edg3 Award, given on Nov. 21 at Kitsap Bank’s sixth-annual edg3 FUND small-business entrepreneurs competition.
The fund competition was created by the bank to recognize small businesses that are actively working to create a positive impact in their communities. This year, Kitsap Bank received applications from entrepreneurs throughout Western Washington in industries ranging from technology and health products and services to environmental services, food and beverages, and agriculture.
“We are gratified that so many quality companies participated in edg3 FUND,” said Tony George, Kitsap Bank’s president and chief operating officer.
“We want to congratulate them for all the contributions they are making to their industries and communities.”
Fuchsia Shoes Inc. of Bothell was judged the grand prize winner and was awarded a prize of $25,000.
Village Greens was awarded the Community edg3 Award following a presentation by finalists before an audience of more than 300 people at the Kitsap Conference Center at Harborside in Bremerton. The winner was chosen by an independent panel of judges composed of entrepreneurs, small business owners and venture capital investors.
The competing businesses were rated based on their commitment to growing their community economically, socially and environmentally.
Village Greens Golf Course is an executive 18-hole course that has been in Port Orchard for more than 50 years. The course has had numerous owners over the years until it was taken over by Kitsap County a decade ago. The course closed in early 2019. Joe Perdue, who got his start as a player and employee there, leased the course from the county earlier this year. Purdue and his employees are working to get the facility back into optimal shape.
The Community edg3 Award is given to a business selected from the pool of 14 semi-finalists that is judged to best embody the spirit of community, based on their submitted application and video.
Unity Skate Shop of Port Orchard was one of the five finalists nominated for the grand prize.
