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

realignments. live in the civilian communities; our cities and towns. in An all- day Workforce Housing Symposium was orchestrated by the Okaloosa EDC collaboration with the Santa Rosa and Walton Counties' EDCs, and the Chambers of Commerce of all three Counties. This symposium presented the local issues and addressed some of the challenges and opportunities available for possible solutions. EDC Program Report 17 Fiscal Year 2006  were the country participated. Many common concerns Keynote speakers from around Over 350 Emerald Coast. from every aspect from the communities along the shared to hear about and and community leaders gathered concerned residents, business owners, workforce housing. discuss the issues of affordable families being able to afford The main focal point was the availability of median income is too low, but that the is not that the income level median priced homes. The issue from employers is too high and availability is too low. A shared problem housing cost is not find recruit new employees into the area because they can that they are not able to families. comparable homes for their Task Force Workforce Housing Initiative has been developed to continue to move A workforce housing initiative task force This the attainable housing issue in Okaloosa County. forward in finding the solutions to Okaloosa County and its communities task force will not only communicate throughout Okaloosa of Santa Rosa and Walton. The EDC of but also with our sister counties wide coalition. the lead partner in this county- County will function as Task Force Members EDC Representatives Okaloosa Chambers of Commerce Okaloosa County Planning Department Building Industry Association West Florida Regional Planning Council Eglin AFB Representative Emerald Coast Association of Realtors Okaloosa Community Development Corporation the homes of Okaloosa County to obtain Together we will help enable the citizens life. that fit into their quality of 18 EDC Program Report Fiscal Year 2006  STRATEGIES OKALOOSA ECONOMY To HELP DIVERSIFY THE Trade and Economic Office of Tourism, The Governor' s with the Okaloosa Economic Development ( O'ITED), in partnership TIP EDC), recently hired a strategic marketing firm Development Council ( new Economic from Austin, TX to develop a Strategies ( TIPS) Diversification Plan for Okaloosa County. the challenges and opportunities TIPS' s assignment was to identify specific industries to target for business in our county, recommend the economy. development, and develop a strategic plan for diversifying on actions the EDC, Okaloosa Completed report focuses The can take to other integral public and private stockholders County, and and expanding to succeed in attracting ability enhance our community' s the local economy. our targeted industries and diversifying is unlike traditional economic development plans This plan TALENT, it focuses more on ATTRACTING AND RETAINING because AND INDUSTRY, and IMPROVING THE FOSTERING INNOVATION QUALITY OF PLACE"! direction is geared towards: This new economic development future commercial and residential growth 1) Planning and building for and ensuring attainable workforce throughout Okaloosa County, focus in every city and throughout housing development is a primary our county. 19 EDC Program Report Fiscal Year 2006  EDC, chaired by the Okaloosa The Workforce Housing Task Force, issues facing our createdaddress to the attainable housing was to the EDC This initiative is of paramount importance communities. unit throughout Okaloosa County price because the average dwelling affordable by our local median issubstantially beyond the amount workers to the area and attracting talented family income. Retaining and diversification of our communities. If we is critical to the growth is our economy, we must provide housing that are to continue to grow to workers and the skills they bring attainable for our much needed our area. where existing in every city in the county 2) Creating dense urban areas live, work and play in a pedestrian- oriented residents can environment. promoted as one of our area' s been Quality of life has traditionally low our excellent school system, most beneficial assets. We promote as important factors in our way of life crime and beautiful beaches of Life and they are. However, Quality of Place is replacing Quality residents - both is attractive to a range of because it considers what and recognizes old and new. Quality of Place accommodates growth of our leading the benefits of change. Our Quality of Place is one attainable/ workforce assets, but we lack two important ingredients; and mixed income/ mixed use pedestrian- oriented housing if we are to These are significant factors developments for residents. be successful in attracting and retaining talent. research and entrepreneurial program 3) Building a