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Northwest Florida
Holmes/Washington Counties
» Manufacturing businesses in Holmes County are maintaining operations, enabling the economy to hold its own, says Opportunity Florida Director Jim Brook, formerly with the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce.
» Holmes and Washington counties are completing new strategic economic development plans. “We see a lot of economic development projects on the horizon,'' says Gary Clark, vice president of membership services at West Florida Electric and chairman of the recently restructured Economic Development Council of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.
» Likely to spur growth, says Clark: Four-laning highways 77 and 79 and the presence of landowners with thousands of acres for potential development.
Washington Population: 25,253 | ||||
Population Growth Rate (2009-13): 0.56% | ||||
Population by Age: | ||||
0-14 | 15-19 | 20-39 | 40-64 | 65+ |
17.35% | 5.65% | 25.26% | 35.34% | 16.41% |
Per Capita Income: $26,049 |
Holmes Population: 20,260 | ||||
Population Growth Rate (2009-13): 0.14% | ||||
Population by Age: | ||||
0-14 | 15-19 | 20-39 | 40-64 | 65+ |
18.03% | 5.60% | 24.44% | 33.97% | 17.96% |
Per Capita Income: $28,496 |
Santa Rosa County
» Economic prospects look positive, with four new projects expected to be announced soon that encompass more than 300 jobs, interim economic development director Shannon Ogletree says. Vacant sites created by call center closings are now providing ready industrial space for newcomers.
» Tourism posted a 15% gain. IT firms are growing. AppRiver, a Gulf Breeze internet security company that recently opened an office in Switzerland, was awarded the Governor's Export Excellence Award for 2012.
Santa Rosa Population: 163,636 | ||||
Population Growth Rate (2009-13): 2.28% | ||||
Population by Age: | ||||
0-14 | 15-19 | 20-39 | 40-64 | 65+ |
18.83% | 6.39% | 25.19% | 35.48% | 14.11% |
Per Capita Income: $38,096 |
Apalachicola/Franklin County
Reduced water flow of the Apalachicola River and increased salinity recently reduced the bay oyster population to its lowest level in 25 years, resulting in decreased harvest and job losses for area oystermen. Industry and government groups are seeking legislation to reduce Atlanta-area water usage and increase river flow.
» Tourism numbers were positive for fiscal 2011-12, rising 14%. “Real estate is doing better. Sales of smaller items like books, clothes, food are higher than large items like furniture and art,” says Anita Grove, executive director of Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Franklin Population: 11,931 | ||||
Population Growth Rate (2009-13): 0.89% | ||||
Population by Age: | ||||
0-14 | 15-19 | 20-39 | 40-64 | 65+ |
14.56% | 3.85% | 27.26% | 35.02% | 19.32% |
Per Capita Income: $31,576 |