EGLIN AFB AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL RECEIVES ACCOLADES AT NATIONAL DEFENSE CONFERENCE

Eglin AFB receive an accolade for being the Department of Defense (DOD) Installation of the Year. This is one of the highest praises for a military installation and is just another reason why future growth is probable here in the Panhandle of Florida. With over a BILLION dollars of construction completed or in the works at this time, it shows the commitment the DOD has in streamlining processes and maximizing the talents and resources at Eglin AFB and the surrounding areas. With this said, you will find them looking to consolidate these resources and personnel in our area. Our area is not only a cost benefit to the military, it is a strategic location in our defense of our country.

EDC DSI Member and Eglin AFB Receive Accolades at National Defense Conference
Kay Rasmussen, Vice President Community & Economic Development
July 30, 2011, Economic Development Council serving Okaloosa County

Two local military proponents were honored recently at the annual national Association of Defense Communities conference in Norfolk, Virginia. The ADC Awards Program is a unique national program which recognizes outstanding quality projects and initiatives in communities with active and realigning or closing installations, the individuals that lead them and members from the military supporting them recognizing them for their outstanding achievements. The program recognizes innovative plans and projects and is the centerpiece of ADC’s efforts to identify and promote best practices. Santa Rosa Commissioner Don Salter and Col Sal Nodjomian, 96ABW/CC Commander received two of the eight honors extended at the conference.

Don Salter has participated on the DSI for a number of years representing Santa Rosa County and was recently honored at the National Association of Defense Communities’ annual conference in Norfolk, VA. Over the past 20 years, Don Salter, a commissioner for Santa Rosa County, has been a guiding force in Northwest Florida’s support of the military, helping to protect Naval Air Station Whiting Field from encroachment while strengthening ties among the region’s installations, local leaders and businesses. In addition, Salter has also provided unwavering support in honor of and in assistance toward military veterans. In recognition of his long-standing efforts, the national Association of Defense Communities selected Salter to receive its Active Base Community Leadership Award at its July conference.

The Defense Support Initiative is sponsored by the Economic Development Council serving Okaloosa County and focuses its efforts on supporting local military installations and their missions, the communities that house them and local jobs resulting from the military’s presence. The DSI is a tri-county committee comprised of approximately 25 members of retired military officers, Military Affairs Committees, and community and business leaders.

Salter comments on the award, “I am honored to have been nominated and to receive the ADC 2011 Defense Community Award – and I accept this prestigious recognition on behalf of all who have fought so hard over the years to support the continued military presence in our community.” He continues, “I am especially appreciative of Kay Rasmussen, Jim Breitenfeld and the members of the three-county Defense Support Initiative who supported my nomination for the award and for all that they do to support our warriors and their families in Northwest Florida.”

Eglin Air Force Base was honored with the distinguished DOD Installation of the Year award for their support and partnership of the Northwest Florida Greenway Initiative. The Greenway Initiative was created in 2000 by the EDC and its DSI with support from the first of four state Defense Infrastructure Grants. The Greenway project was initiated to protect and sustain existing military lands and airspace, preserve the environmental quality and biodiversity of the region, maintain the economic viability of the timber lands, and create additional recreational activities by protecting a corridor of undeveloped land between the Eglin Air Force Base Range and the Apalachicola National Forest. Col. Sal Nodjomian, Commander 96 ABW/CC was present at the conference to receive the recognition.