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KEDA and WWU SBDC highlight local business supports and measurable returns to Poulsbo
Summary
Kitsap Economic Development Alliance and Western Washington University Small Business Development Center briefed the council on local services: KEDA cited a $11.75 economic multiplier and Apex clients winning $51 million in contracts in 2025; WWU SBDC reported helping 127 Poulsbo businesses over five years, 20 new starts, 50 jobs and $4.5 million in new investment.
Representatives from the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance and Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center told the Poulsbo council on July 8 that their programs are actively supporting business retention, growth and government contracting in Kitsap County.
Joe Morrison, executive director of KEDA, described three reasons KEDA is active in Poulsbo: a growing regional education/health-sciences campus opportunity (referenced as Olheva/Olheba in the presentation), entrepreneurship support centered on Matchstick Lab/Vibe Co Works, and longstanding local leadership. Morrison said a recent economic-impact analysis of KEDA core services returned a multiplier of $11.75 — "every dollar you put into us… brings back $11.75 of economic impact across Kitsap," he said — and noted 148 engagements on government contracting last year and $51,000,000 in contract awards won by Apex clients in 2025.
CJ Sites, executive director of Western Washington University’s SBDC, outlined the SBDC model (federal match-supported counseling hosted by higher education) and local metrics for Poulsbo: over the last five years the SBDC reported 127 local businesses assisted, 20 new business starts, 50 jobs created and roughly $4,500,000 in new capital investment. Sites said the SBDC faces a 26% federal funding cut in 2025 and described a childcare navigation toolkit and quarterly reporting products to communicate on-the-ground trends.
Council members welcomed the hard numbers as useful for evaluating the city’s ongoing investment (Poulsbo’s ongoing line-item contribution was later stated in the meeting as $10,000). Several council members asked follow-up questions about how many businesses use the Apex government-contracting accelerator and whether local housing and permitting policies are helping attract or retain employers. Morrison and Sites offered to follow up with more-detailed industry projections and data at the council's request.
Public commenters and business leaders in the room — including Vibe Co Works and Kitsap Community Resources representatives — described complementary programs that connect entrepreneurs to SBDC advising and to microgrant or training opportunities. City staff and council members described the city’s investment in these partners as strategic support for local economic resilience.
