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

local and regional resources in the area. leveraging existing talent and 20 EDC Program Report Fiscal Year 2006  of technical and professional Okaloosa County is equipped with a pool Florida Region. But, in talent that is unmatched in the Northwest of talent, we order to sustain our healthy economy, and this pool their avenue for these entrepreneurs to exercise must provide an knowledge in a structural environment. The EDC has been working with Eglin A. F.B, Okaloosa County, The University of The University of Florida, Okaloosa-Walton College and Coast Research Campus West Florida in the development of the Emerald Park. Leveraging the resources of these organizations with Eglin' s defense contractors and their research potential will help in creating a healthy environment to facilitate technology transfer from private and military /government institutions to entrepreneurs by: and by continuing to Developing emerging industry clusters clusters. target existing technical industry aviation Okaloosa County strives on the success of its aerospace, and defense industry growth. Hundreds of high wage jobs have been The EDC targets the created in this industry over the past eight years. with the Information aviation industry for continued growth along Device Industries and the Technology Industry, the Healthcare/ Medical/ Business Professional Service Industries because they create high wage and high production growth for our area. Other emerging industries include: which will help diversify the local economy for future growth The Building Industry which includes materials technologies, construction research and design, modular construction and security systems and technologies and design technology. Outdoor Recreation/ Sports - Outdoor recreation industries such as those companies involved in the design and manufacturing of recreational equipment. EDC Program Report 21 Fiscal Year 2006  such as trucking and The Logistics/ Distribution Industry service and import/ export warehousing, logistics planning trade houses. will help These additional targeted and emerging industries in providing a solid mix of wages a strengthen our economies while relied on military, tourism and construction region that traditionally has for its continual growth. for Okaloosa County, the EDC As we plan our growth strategies will promote the development of more commercial and industrial parcels about by existing and to accommodate the growing demands brought and A serious lack of existing commercial emerging industries. and the surrounding counties industrial space exists in Okaloosa County warehouse and office in Northwest Florida. Speculative manufacturing, that requires existing space space is needed to accommodate the demand over the built- to- suit options. existing commercial and Like attainable workforce housing, industrial buildings are needed to accommodate expanding industries. and The EDC has formed a Financial Assistance Task Force to review commercial and industrial buildings. analyze the need for speculative, force will be to work together with The primary goal of this new task is in great demand and limited supply. developers in providing space that The opportunities that lie ahead for EDC is excited about the nature of our local, regional and Okaloosa County and the cooperative state leadership in guiding our communities to continual prosperity and new growth. EDC Program Report 22 Fiscal Year 2006  FY 2006 x Policy Board OFFICERS: 729- 5500 Chairman: Fred Leopold Vanguard Bank 682- 2746 Chuck Shanklin Crestview Aerospace Corp. Chairman- Elect: 609- 3789 PaulHsu Total Parts Plus Treasurer: 651- 2454 ERA American Realty Secretary: Cindy Frakes 892- 2111 J. E. Gene Smith CHELCO Past- Chairman: 244- 7711 Gordon Eldridge BAE SYSTEMS Tech. Services Member-at- Large: 654-4748 Dale Peterson Dale E. Peterson Companies Membera- t- Large: 651- 7374 Lawrence Sassano Economic Development Council President: Ex OFFICIOS: Okaloosa-Walton College 729- 5360 FGNW Ex Officio: Bob Richburg ARINC 244- 3332 Bob Black Military Liaison: 244-4740 Sandy Sims Gulf Power Company Utilities Ex Officio: 833- 3100 Don Gaetz Okaloosa County School Board Public School Ex Officio: 651- 7105 Elaine Tucker Okaloosa County Commissioner County Ex Officio: DIRECTORS: 678- 2001 Sam Burkett Sverdrup Technology 243-6713 Lane Higgins Saltmarsh, Cleveland & Gund 863-0740 Wes Little University of West Florida 729-4720 Jose Lozano Okaloosa Gas 796- 0909 Dwight Howard Spectrum Sciences & Software 863- 8100 Alan Gieseman White Wilson Medical Center 664-6070 Clifton Gilmore MTC Technologies 897 6275 - Terry Graham General Dynamics 689-8401 Doug Sills North Okaloosa Medical Center TRUSTEES: 301- 0040 Aerospace Integration Corporation George Gonzalez/John Marshall John Forrester/Jason Crowe 244- 2265 AmSouth Bank of Florida 837- 9163 Anchors Realty of South Walton, Inc. Larry Anchors Bob Black 244- 3332 ARINC 244- 7711 Gordon Eldridge BAE Systems Technical Services David Cooper 444- 7334 Bank of America 243- 3960 Ford Favre BB& T Leonard Weber 362- 5903 Boeing SOF Aerospace Corporation 362-4334 BSafe Online Barry Hayes J. E. Gene Smith 892-2111 CHELCO