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Higher ferry fares, new bridge tolls, increasing gasoline prices, as well as traffic headaches all seem to be stacking up against Kitsap County residents who work for employers in other counties.

But the antidote to this transportation mess could be a new beneficial lifestyle — telecommuting. And it appears that companies in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties are beginning to recognize the benefits for themselves as well as their employees.

In the future digital world, Kitsap Peninsula could be the ideal place to live and work, according to local officials trying to position Kitsap County for a workplace revolution.

“Every morning, I get out of bed, put on my clothes and start to work,” said Patti Mitchell, a business analyst for Safeco Corp., who works out of her home near Poulsbo.

“I find that I’m a lot more productive (at home),” said Mitchell, wife of Olympic College President David Mitchell. “When I’m in the office, there are more distractions. Someone can come over and start to talk and there is no way to cut that off.”

Perhaps once a week, Mitchell needs to visit her office in downtown Seattle, usually for a face-to-face meeting.

“I whine, because the traffic is so horrible,” she said. “It usually takes an hour and a half to three hours to get there. It costs me about $40, including two ferry trips plus gas.”

Kitsap Sun