Posts by Denise Frey

No doubt about it, Downtown Bremerton is experiencing a renaissance. Not that long ago, Bremerton’s reputation was tainted with people still lamenting the migration of retail businesses from downtown Bremerton to the commercial oasis of Silverdale and the resulting impact both downtown and along the SR303 Corridor.

More recently however, the launch of Kitsap Transit’s Fast Ferry, our “still more affordable than Seattle” housing and the subsequent relocation of young professionals, families and businesses to Bremerton is causing quite a buzz. Investors are also paying attention to Bremerton. The designation of downtown Bremerton as a federal Opportunity Zone has attracted revitalization investment, the result of which we can see in the development of Quincy and Marina Squares. One might think that it’s all about what’s going on downtown.

Bremerton is cool (even on a hot day like today!) We who live and work in Bremerton know that. And now more and more people from other places are realizing that Bremerton is a cool place to visit as well.

In order to answer that question, I’ll have to provide a little history.

First, there is no doubt that Bremerton is a proud Navy town! Bremerton was born in 1891, the same year as Naval Base Kitsap and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and the two have been inextricably entwined ever since.

As I look back on the past six months I’m struck with how much we’ve been able to accomplish in such a short time. While some of our efforts are still in process, we’re already beginning to see impact.

Our Membership and Marketing Committees are in full swing and a new Member Ambassador Program will be launched soon. Our website is in the process of being redesigned and a new Chamber rack card has taken the place of an outdated booklet and is now being used for membership promotion.

In case you haven’t seen what’s been going on outside, Bremerton has been hit with a record level of snowfall and now we’re all dealing with the aftermath.

We know that many of our local businesses have not been able to open their doors and others are busier than ever with insurance claims and car repairs. Most of us have remained at home, off the roads and safe from the treacherous conditions.

It’s a New Year and one that we expect to be full of change here in Bremerton and especially here at the Chamber of Commerce.

As you know, I’ve spent the last three months listening to a lot of you as you share your stories and perspectives as they relate to your relationship with the Chamber. We’ve sent out a survey to our entire membership, asking you questions that will help us determine how best to serve you in the coming months and years. I now know that many of you love the Chamber, attend our monthly luncheons regularly and believe you get a lot from your membership.