Kitsap County Trends Report...7

Business Climate

West Puget Sound has benefits over East Puget Sound:

Economic pressure throughout the eastern Puget Sound region continues to build. Land is becoming more scarce and more expensive. Qualified labor is becoming harder to attract and retain. The west Puget Sound/Kitsap region provides a welcome relief for businesses seeking to remain in the Northwest and gain the advantage of quality labor and available land.

Telecommunications:

Kitsap is a great place to do E-Commerce. Telecommunications provides one of the newest opportunities for business development. Basic infrastructure in the Kitsap region equals that available in the eastern Puget Sound region. SPRINT will be installing a point-of-pressure (POP) on the internet in Poulsbo making it competitive with major metropolitan areas. SPRINT has provided ISDN service at significantly reduced rates to businesses and residences in their greater Poulsbo region. Downtown Bremerton is heavily wired as a result of the Navy presence. Several Sonnet Rings already exist. AT&T@Home is entering the market with some of the most advanced cable infrastructure in the region.

Shortage of Large Existing Buildings:

The most serious regional shortage remains in the inventory of large existing buildings. Several large Call Centers companies have been pleased with the labor availability only to find limited choices for appropriate and available real estate to house their business.

Ferry Service and Transportation:

Uncertainty has been generated in ferry service and transportation by the suit on fast ferry service in Rich Passage and the November 2nd approval of Initiative 695. The effects of both are not likely to be sorted out before late Spring 2000. Both lend credence to the growing perception that Kitsap's future lies with telecommunication and software. The labor availability could also improve with ferry limitations and a more captive work force.

Kitsap is Undiscovered Gem for Business Success:

A national employer recently commented that their company had almost rejected the Puget Sound area to place their new Call Center because they were under the impression that the entire area had a labor shortage. They were persuaded to visit our Kitsap region and were both shocked and pleased to find such an available resource of qualified labor so close to the economic "heat" of King County. Kitsap remains an undiscovered "gem" for business success.

Economic Development Council of Kitsap County:

The EDC of Kitsap County is increasingly seeking to assist business with intervention in permitting processes for expansion and relocation. Businesses contemplating construction of new facilities are invited to contact the EDC to discuss how assistance may be provided. For additional information, call the EDC at (360)377-9499 or at 1-877-GO-KITSAP.

E-mail: edckc@kitsapedc.org
Web Site: www.kitsapedc.org