Open For Business
A smaller version of its former self, The St. Joe Company has put much of its hopes for the future in Northwest Florida’s basket and into the hands of a man who has spent three decades in the region.
Author: Linda Kleindienst
The Last Word
Nine years ago I left the world of daily newspaper journalism that had consumed my life for 37 years and stepped into the realm of magazines. I was unsure what awaited when I walked through the door that Brian Rowland…
Building For The Future
Looking beyond beaches and the military to boost economic development
Growing Tourism Numbers Boost Local Economy
Growing numbers of tourists pump millions into the local economy.
Improved Economy Boosts Construction, Jobs
New construction is the backbone of economic growth.
The Last Word
A new year always brings a sense of hope and anticipation as we wonder what the coming year will be like and what successes and surprises might be in store for us. It’s also a time of making resolutions, most…
High-End Real Estate
From thousand-acre plantations to multi-million-dollar homes with frontage on the Gulf or one of the region’s many bays, Northwest Florida has a lot to offer to the well-heeled buyer.
Transforming Economic Development
Tallahassee/Leon County’s first strategic economic development plan gets the green light.
Visit Tallahassee
Leon County sees more than 2.35 million visitors in 2015, breaking records.
Jellyfish Health Plans Expansion in Panama City
The health care technology company, Jellyfish Health, has plans to create 100 news jobs with an average salary of $70,000 — and to do something about those insufferable lines in doctor’s offices.
Drone Detectives
Increasingly, individuals have become concerned about the possibility that they may be under surveillance by operators of drones. Gary Andrews is here to help. He has developed a drone-detecting app, available for free.
Meet the 2016 Pinnacle Winners
These 10 women have soared in their personal and professional lives.
The Editor's Last Word
I recently went to a major health care practice and picked up a postcard that asked me to report back to them on how they are doing. I had to laugh. I was there because I had called several times…
Journey to Success
Jorge Garcia, CEO of Marianna Toyota, who fled Cuba at age 13 to come to America, worked up to three jobs after high school to care for his family and then finally found his calling selling cars.
A Medical Twist on Tourism
Tapping into a booming trend would bring big economic benefits to Northwest Florida communities
Triumphing After a Tragedy
$1.5 billion. It’s the silver lining of an environmental disaster expected to have lasting repercussions in Northwest Florida.
How Their Collaboration Brought Success
courtesy of Okaloosa EDC With more than 156 technology-based businesses per 100,000 population, Okaloosa County can rightly claim the title of “technology hub” of Northwest Florida. Because of its location, nestled in the midst of several major Northwest Florida military…
Northwest Florida Needs a Leg to Stand On
courtesy State Archives of Florida/Foley It was one of the most bizarre State of the State speeches I had ever witnessed. Here was newly inaugurated Gov. Lawton Chiles talking about the symbolic importance of the three legs of a…
Walton County’s Tourism Industry Continues to Grow
courtesy of Visit South Walton The beach at Inlet Beach. It is among 16 communities that lie along the 26 miles of Gulf front in South Walton, where tourism is a growth industry. Condos dominate accommodations, outnumbering hotel rooms by…
Update on Job Creation
Time to take a look at how successful economic development organizations have been in developing new jobs over the prior five years.
Eye on the Goal
Clay Ingram, Pensacola Legislator and President, Greater Pensacola Chamber Tim Skipper Photography Since childhood, Clay Ingram has had an interest in current events. He was involved in student government as early as middle school and served as president of the student…
The Route to Northwest Florida’s Economic Vitality is Through its Transportation System
Everything about transportation affects the development of a region’s economy.
Vision for Success
A talented workforce, a strong school district and a high quality of life are key ingredients in Santa Rosa’s plan for future economic development success.
A Cornucopia of Adventures
Tourism is a big economic driver for the area and the numbers keep going higher. Visitors have wide variety of experiences to choose from.
A Helping Hand for Small Businesses
Getting over the national economic slump and gaining access to small loans for business.
Preparing a Workforce
Santa Rosa claims one of the best school districts in Florida and has a high graduation rate. Career academies emphasize “real life” learning.
What Millions of Dollars Can Do To Motivate a Community.
Last April, we ran a story about economic development organizations in the 850 region. We focused on the big four — Bay, Escambia, Leon and Okaloosa — to see what the money spent on economic development was doing to bring…
Quint Studer is The Man With a Vision
Helping to redevelop downtown Pensacola and give local businesses and entrepreneurs a boost.
Words We Can All Live By
You’ve heard of Comic-Con. Started in California in 1970, the purpose of the organization, as outlined in its mission statement, is “creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and…
Sparking Innovation by Bringing Together the Military, Entrepreneurs and Investors
Helping the military and the entrepreneurial community work together in everyone’s best interest — the government and the public.
The Best Thing in Crestview is The People
Alicia Booker stresses the importance of mentoring the next generation of business leaders.
From Humble Beginnings
Karen Hayes is a success in the male-dominated world of technology.
Navy Federal Continues Expanding
The world’s largest credit union has put down roots in Escambia County and is bringing thousands of needed jobs to the area.
Vision 2015: Push to Grow the Economy Pays Off
When Greater Pensacola embarked on a mission to bring more jobs to the region, it exceeded all expectations.
Here Come the Millennials
Raised on technology, millennials are a new kind of worker and consumer.
Comcast Launches Contest for Florida Entrepreneurs and Startup Companies
Comcast Business is looking for Florida’s most innovative startup companies and entrepreneurs to participate in its Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs competition. Current and aspiring business owners across Florida can enter the competition for a chance to win up to $30,000 and participate in a…
TCC Offers Free Business Incubator Program
Tallahassee Community College, in partnership with the Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority, is seeking start-up businesses to participate in its free business incubator program. This program is part of the Retail Career Pathways Initiative at TCC, which helps prepare students for…
TechGrant Program Offers Seed Money For Tallahassee’s Budding Entrepreneurs
Anyone in Leon County who has an original idea for technology commercialization is encouraged to apply for the 2016 TechGrant program. An application orientation session is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 4 p.m. at the Knight Administrative Centre, 1736…
Startup Week Starts This Week
Entrepreneurs looking to start their own business can find a well of knowledgeable experts to help them on the way at Tallahassee’s inaugural Startup Week, beginning today. And it’s all free and open to the public. The five-day event is…
FSU Provides Dollars To Help Commercialize Research
Six Florida State University researchers are getting some extra cash from the university to help transform promising research into viable products for the global marketplace. Researchers Pradeep Bhide, Biwu Ma, Geoffrey Strouse, Mykhailo Shatruk, Wei Yang and Jianping Zheng will…
Tallahassee Has Come A Long Way
When it comes to economic development, where has Tallahassee been and where is it going? What sparked the change?
Keeping Talent At Home
The Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County is focused on keeping and growing local businesses.
Research Spurs Local Economy
Research at Florida State University attracts more than $200 million in support from federal sources, private foundations and state agencies — and often leads to development of new companies.
Gulf Power Symposium Encourages You to Think Big
“If we want to avoid mediocrity, we have to learn to collaborate.” — Todd Henry, founder and CEO of Accidental Creative “Capitalize on unexpected meetings and pay attention to surprises. The world is connected, but it wasn’t created that way.…
Publicly Measuring Success
Economic developers are struggling with the question of how to measure their success in boosting local economies.
Young Leaders Making Their Mark On The 850
Meet more of Northwest Florida’s-up and-coming business leaders in this fifth installment of 40 Under 40. From Tallahassee to Pensacola, from a former major leaguer to an economic development specialist to a hot shot realtor, see who is making a mark on the business world and in their own community.
