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Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce - business sectors

What The Chamber Is Working On For 2023

Since 1927, the Bainbridge Chamber has been supporting businesses and Bainbridge through advocacy, connection, and community. Please find below an overview of our planned activities and a quarterly look ahead for the rest of 2023. As ever, these plans are subject to change, pending whatever the year has in store…

Year-Round 2023 Advocacy Focus:

  1. Economic Development/Land Use – Leading business engagement in COBI’s Winslow Sub-Area Plan and Island-wide Comprehensive Plan, Neighborhood Center Zones
  2. Housing Diversity – helping support and promote creation of expanded workforce housing options at all income levels (Wintergreen, Bethany, Haggar-Scribner, Police Station, Ferry District, Lynwood)
  3. Transportation – Active role improving our current transportation options (BI Ride, Bike rentals, Private Buses), and proposing big new solutions (Island-wide Circulator Bus, Neighborhood Car Share pilot program, Bainbridge to Bremerton Foot Ferry)
  4. Workforce Training – Supporting more educational paths for youth (Work Ready program partner)
  5. Business Regulation – Waste Reduction/Cup Fee Reform, Planning Approvals, Short Term Rentals, Signage, Licensing & more
  6. Member Support – helping with the issues that arise for any of our 500+ members

 

Q1 – Chamber Evolution, Expansion, Advocacy:

  1. Introduction of new simplified 3-tier membership structure
  2. Update Chamber Bylaws, Policies, Mission, Vision, Values, Strategic Goals
  3. 30% expansion of Chamber Board to 19 voting members (+ President + City Council Liaison)
  4. Establishment of 501(c)(3) Chamber Education Foundation
  5. Additional part-time staff engaged to assist with Govt Affairs + Economic Development
  6. Publication of COBI Housing Action Plan (including business feedback through Chamber)
  7. Lead business engagement in preparation of COBI’s new Housing Action Plan
  8. Ferry Terminal Info Kiosk opening hours expanded to 11am-4pm, 360+ days a year
  9. Business Ambassador program expansion (partnership with COBI, BIDA, Zero Waste)
  10. Launch MVP-style member voting for revamped Bainbridge Business Awards

 

Q2 – Digital Platform Upgrade, Redesigned Map, Advocacy:

  1. Lead business engagement in preparation of COBI’s new Winslow Sub-Area Plan
  2. Chamber Website revamp/relaunch prep begins (with enhanced Bainbridge Business Directory)
  3. Publication of redesigned 2023 Chamber All-Island Map
  4. Lead efforts to add new Winslow Way crosswalk at The Ravine + propose return of Sidewalk Salmon from ferry terminal to Winslow Way (partnership w/ COBI Public Works)
  5. Expansion of Work Ready Bainbridge Youth Employment Program (partnership with BYS, Rotary, Kitsap Bank)
  6. Saturday April 29: Bainbridge Business Awards @ The Manor House/Pleasant Beach Village

 

Q3 – Community Events, Preparedness, Advocacy:

  1. Grand Old 4th (w/ new Chamber member discounts) & Celebrate Bainbridge (partnership with BIDA, BILA, Rotary, AHB, BYS)
  2. Bridge Festival expansion to 10 days of creative events at 20+ Island locations (partnership with Bainbridge Creative District – of which Chamber is co-chair)
  3. Participation in Bainbridge Prepared Business Resilience Program (partnership with COBI, BIPD, BIFC, Bainbridge Prepares)

 

Q4 – eCommerce Support, Advocacy:

  1. Lead business engagement in preparation of new Comprehensive Plan (partnership with COBI)
  2. Launch new Chamber Member Mobile App (with jobs board, commercial real estate board)

 

BOTTOM LINE:

Your membership investment helps support the Chamber so that the Chamber can support you and our island community – our team is here to help with any business challenge, question, or suggestion via friendly, confidential assistance by email, phone call, or in-person chat…