Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 08-14-06 ‎(budget)‎ — reading text

s Council has lead the county' Since 1991, the Okaloosa County Economic Development to the and viable contributors ensure our military installations remain strong efforts to The EDC, of Okaloosa and surrounding counties. national defense and the economies for Committee (DSI), is the official representative through its Defense Support Initiative with the County, Cities and the Military this process through cooperative agreements Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville- Valparaiso, Affairs Committees from Destin, as the the State of Florida The EDC DSI is recognized by Navarre and Walton County. for base/ community initiatives. . lead agency in the county 8 EDC Program Report Fiscal Year 2006  Okaloosa Walton Santa Rosa is home Santa Rosa and Walton Counties, Okaloosa County, along with its neighboring Base. The land reservation in the world - Eglin Air Force to the largest air force base three military installations; Eglin AFB, Hurlburt provided by Eglin AFB encompasses know as the Eglin Complex. Field, and Duke Field, collectively its active duty, civil Not only does the Eglin complex contribute to the economy through civilian service, dependents, retirees, and surviving spouses' payroll but it also draws to Okaloosa's spending area; all of which contribute defense contracting firms into the The defense contracting in Okaloosa County creates the and economic growth. of the economy. in high-technology segments foundation for growth and expansion increased military Local defense contractors have increased hiring in response to the contracts each year Many are obtaining new 2001. spending since September 11, requiring hundreds of new employees. BRAC Task Force 2005 BRAC Process, the DSI Committee formed a BRAC In 2003, in preparation for the the three members, community leaders, and Task Force consisting of its DSI committee Rosa and Walton) Military Affairs Committee representatives. county ( Okaloosa, Santa State of Florida's with local military commands, This expanded task force interfaced 9 EDC Program Report Fiscal Year 2006  Air Force Base, and national delegates to protect Eglin BRAC Advisory Council, well as to downsizing, and/or realignment as Hurlburt Field and Duke Field from closure, The BRAC Task Force was joined in to establish new missions. identify opportunities the Florida Defense Alliance, Enterprise Florida, and partnership by the statewide Council. Governor' s BRAC Advisory installations is critical to our and expansion of our military Continual operation economic foundation: Florida ofthe economy in Northwest Accounts for over 34% of the economy in Okaloosa County Accounts for over 60% Members are by Presidential Appointment Okaloosa EDC Representatives Okaloosa County Commissioner Mfairs Council Representatives Okaloosa County Military Community Business Leaders Eglin AFB Representatives Retired Military Personnel Santa Rosa County Representative Walton County Representative Economic Development 2005 BRAC process successfully behind us, the With the been a new focus, has Initiative BRAC Task Force has Council' s Defense Support The for the next 4- 7 years. a standing committee and is now established as restructured and Santa Rosa consisting of Okaloosa, Walton restructured DSI BRAC Committee and the to assist Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field, Duke Field, Counties is now addressing ways to accommodate the additional 7, 000 plus new military communities in their transitioning The the BRAC realignments. tothe area as a result of and civilian personnel coming and new government personnel but also realignments will not only add new missions to effectively be a magnitude of challenges and opportunities their families. There will in these realignments. and efficiently engage 10 EDC Program Report Fiscal Year 2006 Vision 2015 2015. In preparation The DSI BRAC Committee recently co- sponsored Eglin' s Vision Base and their families, Eglin Air Force for the incoming BRAC realignment personnel The objective was to foster conducted a public summit on growth management. with joint- use the communities. Working together collaboration between Eglin AFB and the public and construction, the military community and of land, infrastructure, than separately. communities can accomplish more together discussed the status of new units moving Federal, state, local and military representatives facing the communities, such as to Eglin Air Force Base, regional growth challenges schools, and the success of collaborative planning. transportation, affordable housing, successesto date, and what we need The public forum presented the current challenges, to do now as a community... Together We Win!" 11 EDC Program Report Fiscal Year 2006  TECHNOLOGY COAST NETWORK MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING TECMEN' Mission Statement