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Economic Yearbook 2007
NORTHWEST: Playing off its Strengths
Northwest Florida is playing up its military strength.
Apalachicola / Franklin County
SEA FOOD: The Franklin County Commission has formed a seafood task force to explore ways to safeguard Apalachicola's traditional seafood industry against growing development pressure along the waterfront. Projects being considered include creation of an inland seafood processing area. Also being discussed: Buying waterfront property to guarantee seafood harvesters a place to unload. State grant applications have been filed to help fund purchases for both projects.
Holmes / Washington Counties
TOURISM: Wildlife expert Jim Fowler's plans to build a $35-million "Life in the Wild'' Nature Park on 789 acres in Holmes County are moving forward, says Bud Riviere, project chairman for the Holmes County Development Commission. Subsequent phases, including a celebrity theme park, could materialize in Holmes and Washington counties.
BUSINESS TO WATCH
? Patient Practitioners in Chipley, co-founded by Dr. Naomi Melvin, has developed a patented individual patient health electronic records system enabling patients to record, monitor and deliver healthcare information for use by all medical personnel. The company received an innovation award in the 2007 Governor's Business Diversification Awards program.
Jackson / Calhoun / Liberty Counties
MAJOR BOOSTS: Green Circle Bio Energy's $100-million wood-pellet production plant being built near Cottondale will be the biggest business investment ever made in Jackson County and its biggest taxpayer. It will employ 51 when operational by year-end in addition to 150 wood-gathering and transporting jobs. ... Calhoun County, which is focusing on eco-tourism, completed the Blountstown Greenway Trail, linking it to the Florida Trail and Blountstown's Main Street. The trail will increase foot traffic to the historic Panhandle Pioneer settlement.
BUSINESS TO WATCH
? The Family Dollar Distribution Center at Marianna, which received a newcomer award in the 2007 Governor's Business Diversification Awards program, employs more than 400 workers in a $55-million facility and ships to five Southeast states.
Walton County
BEACH WORK: A $19.1-million beach restoration project has been completed -- seven years and five tropical storms in the making -- adding 75 to 100 feet of beach to damaged areas. An extra penny of tourist tax levied beginning in 1999 paid part of the cost.
CHALENGE: Responding to its worker housing shortage, the county established the Community Workforce Housing Innovation Pilot Program, recently among 10 programs awarded state grants, receiving $5 million. An affordable housing development near Freeport will have 523 homes, a school and retail/office space.
BUSINESS TO WATCH
? Co-founded by Dr. Anthony Mork and and Dr. Scott Haufe, MicroSpine in DeFuniak Springs is one of a few U.S. spine surgery centers performing minimally invasive surgery. It also is conducting adult stem cell research.
