Home sales down, prices up

There were 66 homes sold in Jefferson County in July 2017, down 7.04 percent from the 71 completed sales from a year ago in July, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS).

The median price of those sales was $341,000, up 27.48 percent from the median price of $268,000 in July 2016, the service said.

New residential and condo listings in July 2017 numbered 94, up from a total of 82 new listings a year ago.

There were 91 pending sales in July of this year, which is an increase of 30 percent from 70 pending sales in July 2016, the NWMLS reported.

The service said there is a 4.47-month supply of homes in the system in Jefferson County.

Rotary accepting grant applications

The Sunrise Rotary Club of Port Townsend is currently accepting applications for grants from nonprofit organizations in Jefferson County.

Applications must be received by Oct. 1, and the grants are to be awarded on Oct. 25. The funds for this grant program come from fundraising efforts made throughout the year by the Sunrise Rotary Club, the most significant being the Running of the Balls contest held during the Rhododendron Festival each spring, according to a press release.

Proceeds from other activities such as the “Driving in the Dark” Golf Tournament, the sale of grilled hot dogs at the Jefferson County Fair and Wooden Boat Festival, and the “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” event each spring go into the Club Foundation Fund, which is then given back to the community in the form of grants.

Grant application forms, along with information and criteria, can be found online at ptsunriserotary.org. For more information, contact Nancy Leeds, 360-301-2851.

Local businesses are Edg3 semifinalists

Five Jefferson County businesses have made it to the semifinals in Kitsap Bank’s 2017 Edg3 Fund small-business competition. The winner receives $20,000.

The Jefferson County businesses are Little Gray Farms Escargots in Quilcene; Mystery Bay Sails and Canvas in Nordland; Set & Drift Shellfish in Port Ludlow; SpringRain Farm & Orchard in Chimacum; and Vinder Inc. in Port Townsend.

The mission of Edg3 Fund is to recognize entrepreneurs dedicated to growing their community in three ways: economically, socially and environmentally, according to a press release. A total of 16 western Washington businesses, including ones in Clallam County, are in the semifinals.

“We are excited to have received applications from a number of very promising companies,” said Tony George, COO and president of Kitsap Bank, in a press release. “All of these innovative and hardworking businesspeople are doing great things to promote a sustainable community, and we were honored that they invested their time and effort to join our contest.”

The next phase of the competition begins Monday, Sept. 18, when the public is invited to vote for its favorite company. Deadline for voting is Sept. 29.

Visit kitsapbank.com/edg3-fund. Results of this vote would help determine the top five finalists, who compete in a live competition on Thursday, Nov. 16 at Harborside Conference Center in Bremerton. There, the finalists present their pitches before a live audience and an independent panel of judges.

There is also a $5,000 cash prize to be awarded to one business selected from the semifinalist pool that, in the judges’ opinions, best embodies the spirit of community, based upon its submitted application and video, according to a press release.

Sklar gives advice on Social Security Sept. 7

Edward Jones financial adviser Stephen Sklar is to present “Social Security: Your Questions Answered,” on Thursday, Sept. 7.

The seminar on how Social Security fits into a retirement income plan is set for 7 p.m. at Edward Jones, 2500 W. Sims Way, Suite 202 in Port Townsend. For more information or to reserve a seat, call 360-385-2243.

Compiled by Leader staff writer Katie Kowalski.