Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2025-13 Resolution Adopting the FY 2025-30 CDBG Consolidated Plan & FY 2025-26 Annual Action Plan — reading text

sector investments or initiatives that have affected or may affect job and business growth opportunities during the planning period. Describe any needs for workforce development, business support or infrastructure these changes may create. For all but one sector, there are more jobs available as compared to qualified workers in those sectors. This information does not consider the latest developments in employment status however and will be watched closely in the future. How do the skills and education of the current workforce correspond to employment opportunities in the jurisdiction? As stated, the city continues to work with the Economic Development Council to encourage new businesses in the city as well as the growth of current businesses. Additionally, the city’s strategic vision for the redevelopment of the downtown area will assist in business growth. Describe any current workforce training initiatives, including those supported by Workforce Investment Boards, community colleges and other organizations. Describe how these efforts will support the jurisdiction's Consolidated Plan. The city has identified an economic development element in the development of the Fort Walton Beach Comprehensive plan 2019-2029. Does your jurisdiction participate in a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)? If so, what economic development initiatives are you undertaking that may be coordinated with the Consolidated Plan? If not, describe other local/ regional plans or initiatives that impact economic growth. Objectives of the Economic Development element include: Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 65 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  The city will identify, maintain, and promote a cluster industry development approach throughout the city to strengthen existing businesses and interrelationships, and also to create a framework for targeting economic development activities Programs fostered by local organizations and institutions to teach entrepreneurship skills to interested students and residents will be an integral part of the city’s economic diversity strategy The city will designate an economic development representative/ agency. The representative will serve as the lead agency for implementing this element and the coordination of city economic development activities and initiatives Recognizing the current trend toward decentralization or elimination of federal financial assistance for community and economic development projects, the city will encourage the development of public/ private partnerships Recognizing that sustainability is a critical issue to becoming a first-class competitive local economy, the city will promote itself as a “ green local government” and continue to expand and promote programs such as alternative modes of transit, greenways along major arterials, xeriscape landscaping practices, and water re-use programs, among others. The city will continue and strengthen cultural tourism, recognizing that the creative arts and cultural heritage industries play a major role in building and sustaining economically vibrant communities by generating jobs, revenue and tourism, and also realizing that the city offers a unique heritage to the state and the country The city will continue to implement the 2006 charting the course Fort Walton Beach Waterfront Vision Plan in conjunction with the Fort Walton Beach Waterfronts Florida Partnership Committee Recognizing the vital economic and cultural relationship between the city of Fort Walton Beach and the military, the city will continue to promote the mission of Eglin Air Force Base The city of Fort Walton Beach will actively work to provide a diversified and desirable environment necessary to attract and retain the commercial/ industrial and businesses sectors serving existing industry, tourists, seasonal residents, and the permanent population while maintaining a high standard of living. To attract businesses which strengthen existing industry, the public services and city characteristics that will be supported include an exemplary public education system, moderate local tax rates, adequate utilities, improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, consistently enforced land use regulations, quality parks and recreation facilities, quality health care, environmental resources, and effective public safety Discussion According to ACS data, the city’s civilian labor force is comprised of approximately 10,085 people, of which approximately 92% are employed and 8% are unemployed. The largest share of workers is within the Arts, Entertainment, Accommodations (26%). Workers in the Retail Trade sector comprise 20%. Like in most communities, higher median earnings generally correlate with higher education. Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 66 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  MA-50 Needs and Market Analysis Discussion Are there areas where households with multiple housing problems are concentrated? (include a definition of "concentration") In Fort Walton Beach, reports indicate that areas with a high percentage of very low, low, and moderate- income households also experience a concentration of housing problems throughout the city. This is because a significant portion of these households face housing expenses exceeding 30% of their income, which is considered the threshold for affordability. Are there any areas in the jurisdiction where racial or ethnic minorities or low-income families are concentrated? (include a definition of "concentration") As previously stated, there are areas throughout the city where there are pockets of racial or ethnic minorities or low-income families are concentrated, however it does not appear they are all concentrated in one area. What are the characteristics of the market in these areas/ neighborhoods? As there are many different areas with these concentrations, it is impossible to identify the specific market in each area. Are there any community assets in these areas/ neighborhoods? Again, as these areas are spread out, there are varying degrees of community assets located in these neighborhoods. However, with the relatively small size of Fort Walton Beach, virtually every area of the city does have access to community assets. Are there other strategic opportunities in any of these areas? None identified at this time. Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 67 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  MA-60 Broadband Needs of Housing occupied by Low- and Moderate-Income Households - 91.210(a)(4), 91.310(a)(2) Describe the need for broadband wiring and connections for households, including low- and moderate-income households and neighborhoods. In today’s society, reliable internet access is essential for basic activities such as applying for jobs, completing school assignments, and scheduling medical appointments. To ensure equitable participation in modern life, it is crucial that residents of low- and moderate-income neighborhoods have access to broadband connectivity. In Fort Walton Beach, all neighborhoods are already equipped with broadband infrastructure. According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the main reasons lower- income households do not utilize broadband services are: (1) a lack of a working computer in the home, and (2) the high cost of internet subscriptions. Since adequate service provider coverage is already in place, the primary barriers to digital inclusion are affordability and access to functional devices. Addressing these issues is essential to closing the digital divide and ensuring all residents can fully engage in today’s digital society. Describe the need for increased competition by having more than one broadband Internet service provider serve the jurisdiction. According to the Federal Communications Commission’s ( FCC) Fixed Broadband Deployment Map https:// broadbandmap.fcc.gov), Fort Walton Beach is considered well-served in terms of broadband infrastructure. The city has access to multiple broadband technologies, including Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line ( ADSL), cable, and satellite. Per the FCC’s definition, broadband service must provide minimum actual speeds of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload (25/3 Mbps). In Fort Walton Beach, several internet providers offer low-cost or discounted internet services for eligible low-income families. Cox provides programs like ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete for affordable internet options, with Connect2Compete specifically targeting low-income families with K-12 students. AT&T offers Access from AT&T, and Spectrum provides Spectrum Internet Assist. Additionally, Lifeline Support and Verizon's Internet Essentials offer further opportunities for low-income households. Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 68 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  MA-65 Hazard Mitigation - 91.210(a)(5), 91.310(a)(3) Describe the jurisdiction’s increased natural hazard risks associated with climate change. With Fort Walton Beach located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, there are certainly natural hazards associated with climate change. Climate change could lead to an increase of storm surge and hurricane risk, infrastructure vulnerability, as well as the associated floods and level of those floods. Describe the vulnerability to these risks of housing occupied by low- and moderate-income households based on an analysis of data, findings, and methods. The large majority of properties located in the Special Flood Hazard Area are not associated with low- and moderate-income households. Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 69 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  Strategic Plan SP-05 Overview Strategic Plan Overview This section contains the Strategic Plan that will guide the City of Fort Walton Beach's allocation of Community Development Block Grant funding during the 2025-2030 planning period. The City of Fort Walton Beach goals for the 2025-30 period focus on a number of identified priority needs and has targeted available resources toward several specific goals that are designed to address those needs. These needs include providing decent affordable housing, providing a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunity. These goals primarily focus on helping residents maintain and improve their quality of life in the City of Fort Walton Beach. To accomplish these goals, the City of Fort Walton Beach will continue to build on successful projects and programs that meet the needs of low and moderate income residents. Projects selected for funding in the five-year period will be managed as efficiently as possible in order to address a wide range of issues that exist in the City of Fort Walton Beach. The CDBG Five-Year Consolidated Plan describes activities and funding for housing and community development programs to be administered through the Growth Management Department of the City of Fort Walton Beach. Activities described in this Plan apply to the City’s FY 2025-30 Plan, beginning October 1, 2025 and ending on September 30, 2030. This Five-Year Consolidated Plan