The Gulf Coast FAME Chapter was established in Bay County, Florida to provide a roadmap for upcoming initiatives and help determine how future budgets will be allocated to carry out these tasks. This Republican stronghold, recently hit by Hurricane Michael, has seen a revolution in the way politics is conducted due to the acceptance of votes by email. Becca Hardin, President of the Bay Economic Development Alliance (Bay EDA), is part of a team of economic promoters from Greater Northwest Florida who are in Seattle this week on an aerospace recruitment mission. The third edition of GrowFL, presented at the University of Central Florida in partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation, has recognized Florida Companies to Watch.
On May 9th, local and state officials welcomed GKN Aerospace to Florida with a special ceremony celebrating the new facility being built in Bay County. The plans for this project were approved by Bay County and the State of Florida in 2002 and 2003 respectively. Neal Wade, Executive Director of the Bay County Economic Development Alliance, devised an equation to increase prosperity and create 1,300 jobs in the region. James Waterstradt, President of the Bay County Republican Party, was surprised to learn that voting by email was allowed before the election. At their joint meeting of executives and investors, the Executive Committee of the Bay EDA named Becca Hardin President of the organization. The Panama City-Bay County International Airport is now known as Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport and is located in this area.
Suzuki announced plans to build the Suzuki Maritime Technical Center in Panama (Florida) on a 20-acre property to improve integration with the U. S. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Bay County residences were forced to leave when Hurricane Cat 4 destroyed or damaged their homes beyond repair. Jacob Ogles has covered political issues in Florida since 2000 for regional outlets such as SRQ Magazine in Sarasota, The News-Press in Fort Myers, and The Daily Commercial in Leesburg. The last episode of the Greater Northwest Florida regional television show was filmed at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport and featured BayEDA President Becca Hardin and the economic development assets of Bay County, Florida.
Governor Rick Scott recognized four Northwest Florida companies - Jensen USA and NantHealth among them - for their efforts to create jobs and opportunities for Florida families.The Bay Economic Development Alliance (Bay EDA), an agent of the Bay County Commission, announced that Mocama Marine LLC will establish a boat manufacturing plant in Bay County, Florida. The Panama City-Bay County Airport Authority, FAA, Transportation Security Administration, St Joe Co., United States Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Transportation, Community Airport Redevelopment LLC, Leucadia National Corp., and other entities have all played a role in making this possible. Three state contests in Florida were recounted after initial tabulation highlighted electoral irregularities in all counties. This has further highlighted how technology has transformed politics in Bay County and across the state. From voting by email to recognizing companies for job creation efforts to establishing a boat manufacturing plant - technology has been instrumental in driving progress and creating opportunities for residents.
