850 — The Business Magazine of Northwest Florida - October-November 2016

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.

Alignment Bay County

Patterned after a similar initiative in Nashville, a group made up of business leaders and educators is working to improve the chief product of Bay County schools: high school graduates.

Bay County Demographics

U.S. Navy photo by Jacqui Barker/Released Neil Patterson, a retired saturation diver now employed at the Naval Surface Warfare Division, Panama City Division, readies equipment for diving bell training procedures. POPULATION July 2015 (estimated) — 181,635 Percent change from 2010…

Building a Workforce

Florida State University-Panama City, Gulf Coast State College and Haney Technical Center are all working to gear curriculum and degree and certificate programs to the anticipated needs of employers.

Google Guru

For anyone seeking a more formidable online presence, Mica Specialties is a one-stop shop. The business offers services ranging from website design and digital advertising to search engine optimization and social media marketing.

Pier Park

Pier Park, on Panama City Beach, bills itself as the premier shopping, dining and entertainment district in Northwest Florida and one that has had both financial and social impacts.

The Vintage Queen

Cindy Poire has an affinity for collecting old things because their history fascinates her. She’s turned her passion into successful businesses at Madison Antiques Market & Interiors and Marketplace of Madison — and she’s still shopping.