NORTHWEST FLORIDA TAKING THE LEAD IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The following are words from the President of the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council. As you will see by his remarks, Okaloosa County is a leader in the push for economic growth. I have noted many times, the possibilities for our area is unimaginable when it comes to economic growth and we have a choice. Get on the Train and ride or just sit back at the station and watch is drive away.


PRESIDENT'S CORNER
The Opportunity to Lead by Example

Okaloosa County and Northwest Florida have an opportunity to show Florida and the Nation that we are taking control in guiding our local economies to a new trajectory. Recently, Okaloosa County experienced the lowest unemployment rate in our Northwest Florida region; largely due to the gradual build-up of Eglin AFB, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Initial Training Center and the 7th Special Forces Groups (Airborne). Construction activity that may not be visible to most civilians is taking place across from Duke Field and inside Eglin's gate at the site of the former 33rd FW. More visible construction is taking place by the Northwest Florida Regional Airport with the development of the 123 Bypass. But not all new growth is directly related to the above activities. Expansion of local businesses in the north and south end of our county is also taking place in non-military business sectors. JOBS are being created and projected in information technologies, retail businesses and other small businesses inside our borders. Congress is also authorizing the Small Business Administration to increase loan amounts and assistance to small businesses seeking export opportunities; figuring that lifting small business export sales will bolster the creation of JOBS. Also of importance to our small businesses will be their ability to have increased lender guarantees for the SBA's 7(a) and 504 loan programs. This congressional move and the elimination of certain fees may encourage bankers to address the financial needs of small businesses seeking new growth and new JOBS. Okaloosa County is a technology leader not only in Northwest Florida but throughout Florida. We possess some of the best schools and students in Florida and our students rank high in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. Okaloosa County is a manufacturing leader! Only a few other metropolitan statistical areas (MSA's) in the country have experienced positive manufacturing growth over the past 10 years, and we rank 2nd in growth in the United States! So what can we do to take advantage of all that we have going for us and make the rest of the world stand up and pay attention to our "success trends"? One movement we can highlight is the movement toward ethics and fair play. Businesses today must provide not only value but values. Consumers are looking at the culture of the company to determine the level of respect they will give to this company and its industry sector. The respect we have for the military and defense contractors that support our military has to be one of the highest anywhere. They are the backbone of our economy (along with tourism) and they provide a high percentage of the high wage JOBS that fuel our local economies. Another movement we can highlight is an increased emphasis on partnerships. I'm speaking of local governments outwardly working toward strengthening their approach to supporting business growth and partnering with Chambers of Commerce and the Economic Development Council. This is leadership by example and we need to market this movement that is taking place in our communities. Our business climate is superior to many of the major and mid-markets in Florida and the U.S. If we want to continue to grow and create quality JOBS we can help by marketing our values to the world. Continuing education is also growing in our area. Everything is focused on betterment, training, development and moving forward. Another movement that we can be proud of is the movement to buy locally. The Chambers of Commerce, the Economic Development Council, and our local governments all promote this effort. The EDC's TeCMEN organization was established under this premise, to network and do business with TeCMEN members. It works! And TeCMEN continues to move forward because the members all benefit from doing business with other companies in their own "backyard". Value-driven business and consumer movements are allowing our county and its communities to force capitalism to do better. We have this special opportunity to show how our communities have taken the lead to strengthen our own recovery and show others how it works.

Larry SassanoPresident, EDC