Local business leaders and public officials met Tuesday to talk about what the Economic Development Council of Kitsap County can do to help businesses succeed. People attending the EDC's Annual Meeting asked the nonprofit group to do everything from solve the ferry funding problem to develop adequate infrastructure for electronic commerce. EDC board members encouraged the suggestions, but cautioned that they need financial support to accomplish all the tasks members outlined for them. The organization promotes economic development in Kitsap County with funding assistance from federal, state and local government agencies.
Local members contribute funds, too, but at a lower rate than the government.
The EDC is similar to Kitsap County in that it has depended on federal support, said Karl Jonietz, president of Olympic College and the EDC's new chairman. We need your financial help. Businesses nominated for the award included Heronswood Nursery, General Construction Co., ATECi Corp., Acceleration Software, Deposit Software, Leader International Corp. and Steelhead Productions. The EDC honored Jonietz with its Community Economic Development Support award for his assistance in building bridges between government and the business community. Specifically, Jonietz helped iron out a rehabilitation plan for Kitsap Physicians' Service that state Insurance Commissioner Deborah Senn approved.