Okaloosa County BOCC — October 15, 2013 — Economic Impact one page GCT — reading text

About Cox in Florida • According to Louisiana State University economist Jim Richardson, Cox Communications’ ongoing business activities in Florida generated overall business activity of $686.5 million in the Florida economy, direct and indirect jobs of 3,835, personal earnings of $152.6 million and state and local tax collections of $20 million. • In 2012 Cox had approximately 786 employees in Florida with a payroll, including benefits, of just over $64.4 million. • Cox’s local operations cover parts of five (5) counties – Alachua and Marion in North Central Florida and Escambia, Okaloosa and Walton in Northwest Florida. • Cox made cash donations of over $1.5 million from 2009 through 2012 across the state of Florida; this does not include the millions of dollars of in-kind service provided to agencies. • Cox has a primary philanthropic focus on education which includes wiring and other technical services for K-12 public schools and significant on-going partnerships with UWF, PSC, NWFSC, UF, Santa Fe and Escambia County Public Schools Foundation. • Cox also encourages employees to get involved in the community through its Cox Ambassador and Dollars for Doers programs. About Cox in the Gulf Coast • In its Gulf Coast Market, Cox serves parts of Escambia, Okaloosa and Walton counties. • Cox’s ongoing business activities in the Gulf Coast created, through direct spending, overall business activity of $438.5 million. • Cox employs 548 people in the Gulf Coast area of Florida. • Cox’s direct spending also supported jobs throughout the Gulf Coast community of 2,444 with personal earnings of $97.5 million in 2012. This economic activity generated between $12 and $13 million in state and local tax collections. • From 2009-2012, Cox donated $861,000 in cash sponsorships to support important Gulf Coast nonprofits and agencies. This figure does not include the significant in-kind contributions made to support PEG (Public Access, Education & Government) channels and local programming. Nor does it include the value of free or discounted products and services Cox provides to numerous community and government agencies each year. In addition, Cox encourages and supports volunteer activities by its employees through its Cox Ambassadors program. • Cox has deep philanthropic roots and makes significant donations to regional organizations including the United Way, Boys and Girls Clubs, Fiesta of Five Flags, Pensacola Sports Association, All Sports Association, Waterfront Rescue Mission, PACE Center for Girls, NAACP, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Ronald McDonald House and all area Chambers of Commerce and their events. • Cox’s Gulf Coast has a total of eight locations in Escambia and Okaloosa Counties, including a new Cox Solutions Store in Pensacola which opened in 2012 and another expected to open in late 2013 in Fort Walton Beach.