A Kingston farm is one
of five finalists that will vie for a $20,000 award Thursday during
the live finale for Kitsap Bank’s Edg3
fund competition.
Silver Creek
Angus was the only Kitsap-based contestant to earn a
spot in the finals for the Edg3 Fund, which honors businesses
dedicated to growing their communities “economically,
socially and environmentally.”
The finale is scheduled for 5:30
p.m. Thursday at Kitsap Conference Center in Bremerton. The
keynote speaker will be Combat Flip Flops CEO
Matthew Griffin, a former Edg3 Fund finalist who appeared on
the ABC show Shark Tank.
A panel of judges will select the winner of this
year’s $20,000 top prize, and a $5,000 prize for the contestant
that best embodies “the spirit of community.”
The longtime family farm raises Black Angus cattle and sells
beef. You can learn more about their operation in the video
above.
The edg3 FUND competition, now in its third year, promotes
entrepreneurs “dedicated to growing our local community
economically, socially and environmentally.”
This year’s $20,000 winner will be selected by a panel of judges
during a live
event Nov. 17 at Kitsap Conference Center in Bremerton.
An additional $5,000 will be awarded to the entrant that best
embodies “the spirit of community.”
A public vote will help determine five finalists, who
will compete in a live finale Nov. 17 at the Kitsap Conference
Center in Bremerton. A panel of judges will pick the
winner.
Now in its third year, the edg3 FUND
contest recognizes businesses that contribute to their
communities economically, socially and environmentally.
Kitsap Bank enjoyed the
best first quarter in its 107-year history this year, according to
a news release.
Holding company Olympic Bancorp reported a 55 percent
year-over-year increase in earnings in the first three
months of 2016. Net income totaled $2.64 million, compared
with $1.70 in the same period of 2015.
Loans grew by 22 percent, from $485 million to $591 million.
Deposits were up 13 percent, from $873 million to $989 million.
“Our performance continues to be robust in this economy,
producing record results for the bank,” Kitsap Bank CEO Steve
Politakis said in the release.
Port Orchard-based Kitsap Bank operates 21 locations in
Western Washington. The bank topped $1 billion in assets
for the first time last year.
The parent company for Kitsap Bank announced a 30
percent increase in earnings in 2015, capping what it called a
“milestone year.”
Olympic Bancorp recorded net income of $8.42 million last
year, according to a news release summarizing year-end results.
Deposits grew 15 percent, reaching $962 million, and loans
increased 22 percent to $584 million.
“The economy in our market is rebounding, and we are seeing very
positive signs with housing appreciation and new construction,”
Kitsap Bank CEO Steve Politakis said in the release. “Business
owners are expanding and investing in their companies. We
remain focused on the long term and are optimistic about the
future.”
The bank donated more than $408,000 to
charities last year, with an additional $504,000
committed to South Kitsap School District to replace
an athletic field
The finalists will make their pitches to a panel of judges
during a live finale. The event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 12 at the Kitsap Conference Center. Tickets are available
here.
Who wouldn’t give this guy
$20,000? Smithshyre farm in Poulsbo.
Kitsap Bank announced 16 semifinalists its
$20,000 edg3 FUND
competition Wednesday, and the list includes six
Kitsap companies.
Nearly 60 businesses applied, according to a new
release from the bank.
It just so happens we’ve written about all the
local semifinalists at one time or another. Here’s the
list of Kitsap hopefuls, with links to our stories:
A public vote will help narrow the field of
contenders September. Five finalists will give
presentations during a live event Nov. 12
at Kitsap
Conference Center in Bremerton, and the winner will be
announced the same day.
The edg3 FUND contest recognizes businesses that
contribute to their communities economically, socially and
environmentally.
Olympic Bancorp, parent
company for Kitsap
Bank, reached a milestone at the end of
June, reporting $1 billion in total assets for the first time
in its history.
The bank also reported net income of $3.8 million for
the first half of the year, compared with $3.2 million for the
same period of 2014. Loan totals were up by 9.5 percent,
while deposits reached $900 million, according to a Friday news
release.
Olympic Bancorp recently announced an agreement to
purchase Puget Sound Financial Services and its subsidiary,
Fife Commercial Bank,
pending shareholder and regulatory approval.
The transaction was approved by shareholders of Puget Sound
Financial at a July 16 meeting, according to the release.
Regulatory approval is expected soon.
The annual competition,
launched in 2014, recognizes businesses that benefit their
communities economically, socially and environmentally. The
deadline for applications is July 31.
Judges will select semifinalists in August and a public vote
will help narrow the field in September. Finalists will give
presentations during a live event Nov. 12 at Kitsap Conference
Center in Bremerton, and the winner will be announced the same
day.
Last year’s competition drew about 70 entries.
The winner was Pawzii, Inc., a company founded in Bremerton
with offices in Seattle. Pawzii offers online pet licensing
services.
Four
Kitsap County based businesses were among 11
semifinalists announced Friday for Kitsap Bank’s 
Kitsap Bank
