Kitsap County Trends Report...6

Business Climate

OPPORTUNITIES STRONG IN KITSAP COUNTY

Economic Opportunities Strong In Kitsap Region:

Economic opportunities remain strong in the Kitsap Region. Available labor, business friendly governments, advances in development designations, and Puget Sound Regional economic pressures have set the stage for expanded economic activity in the West Sound.

Labor Market Strength:

The availability of labor remains the region's strongest economic asset. While unemployment figures paint a picture similar to the rest of Puget Sound, the numbers are deceiving because of a large commuter work force. The access to East Sound jobs requires a significant enough commute that workers are often willing to accept local jobs at lower wages. The strong work ethic of a labor pool associated with military employment continues to attract attention from national employers.

Spouses of military personnel, newly discharged personnel, and retiring personnel are the highly qualified, highly trainable workforce needed by modern businesses. With the addition of well qualified students from local high schools and Olympic College, the Kitsap Region is highly desirable at a time of labor shortages in virtually every other nearby job market.

Governmental Cooperation:

County and local governments are committed to job expansion both in word and deed. Almost without exception local officials understand the importance of diversification of the regional economy. The impact of defense downsizing is clear and the desirability of private industry widely acclaimed. Expanding and relocating employers have received firm commitments to shortened permitting timelines.

Agencies are working more closely in advance of submission of plans to reduce delays. Governments are increasingly finding creative ways to provide incentives and make the region more competitive with other locations. Business friendly government with a personal touch has real meaning in the Kitsap region.

Land for Development:

Additional land for development continues to come closer to reality. By Spring of 2000, three additional developments should be well along in the land designation process. South Kitsap Industrial Lands will provide an additional 1700 acres of flat, well buffered, and highly desirable industrial land. The Port Blakely West Kitsap Lake project continues on track with the potential for a large mixed-use development with a significant corporate campus.

Northwest Corporate Campus will be available for construction early in the year. The campus provides spectacular views on gently sloping land. Olympic Resource Management's West Hills site has progressed to creation of pads with roads, sewer and other infrastructure immediately accessible. The fully zoned area provides one of the most rapid opportunities to build. The projects will add significantly to the total inventory and provide several new options for location.

BY
WARREN OLSON
PRESIDENT,
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF KITSAP COUNTY
360.377.9499