January-March 2016 Bay Biz by Bay County Chamber of Commerce

We Mean Business.

Strategic solutions that work for you CareerSource Gulf Coast is a powerful network of workforce professionals helping employers of all sizes recruit, hire, train, and keep the best and brightest employees. We can help you identify top talent in your industry, access local and state labor market data, screen candidates, host recruiting events, and train your workforce. And, our services are free of charge!

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An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

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Departments 8 POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE

37 38

Features 10 COVER STORY

18 24 26 32 34 36

MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES OUT & ABOUT

Guide to 2016 Elections

EDUCATION The Use of Technology in Education is Benefiting Students

ECONOMIC PROFILE WORKFORCE CONNECTION BIZ LIST BYP MEMBERS TO KNOW CHAMBER EVENTS CALENDAR NEW MEMBERS

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The Economic Impact of SweetBay

FIRST RESPONDERS APPRECIATION AWARD WINNERS RECENT POLL ANALYSIS FROM FLORIDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL DINNER & AWARDS CEREMONY 2016

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PEFCU.org

Find out what

PUBLISHER Carol Roberts

educators

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Brittany Cole

already know...

We’re a great place to bank!

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Carol Roberts Brittany Cole Brandi DeRuiter Heather Weekley Kim Bodine LAYOUT & DESIGN Sean Brosnan GORGEOUS - strategic branding + design getgorgeo.us | 850-888-8GRG COVER SweetBay Development at Old Panama City-Bay County International Airport Site CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Desiree Gardner Photography, Brittany Cole, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and SweetBay

If you live or work in the greater Bay, Holmes, Washington or Jackson County area, YOU can join us! Member NCUA

The Bay Biz is published quarterly by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, 235 W. 5th Street, Panama City, FL 32401 850.785.5206 POSTMASTER send address changes to: Bay County Chamber, 235 W. 5th Street, Panama City, FL 32401 or email brittany@baychamberfl.com. The Bay Biz welcomes story ideas from its readers. Email to brittany@baychamberfl.com. To request additional copies, contact 850-785-5206.

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BAY BIZ MAGAZINE c/o Bay County Chamber of Commerce 235 W. 5th Street Panama City, FL 32401 850.785.5206 information@baychamberfl.com Online: www.panamacity.org facebook.com/baychamberfl twitter.com/baychamberfl

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2016

If you missed the December First Friday, we were honored to have Santa (David Powell) emcee the event, and of course Mrs. Claus (yours truly) was in tow. It was a blast with the Girls Inc. choir caroling through the audience and serving hot chocolate. A special thank you goes to Niki Kelly, Executive Director, for organizing this for us. Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center was our sponsor and we thank Carlton Ulmer for his continued support.

Are you believing it’s 2016? Where on earth did 2015 go? The last quarter of the year made my head spin. We were busy with our transition from one year to the next, while still trying to finish addressing our 2015 plan. In the mix, Governor Scott visited our community three times during the month of November pushing his economic development agenda. I was honored to join him on a several occasions to support those items in his package, and spoke at one of his news conferences held at Merrick Industries. The Tannehill Family and their team graciously hosted the Governor at their plant. In addition, Glen McDonald hosted him at Applied Research Associates (ARA), where we were able to have a great one-onone conversation. Two very important items in his package to our manufacturers and business community are the elimination of sales tax on the purchase of manufacturing equipment and the elimination of sales tax on commercial leases. Both of these items were included in our 2016 Legislative Agenda. Bay County and the State of Florida are at a competitive disadvantage to recruit new business and industry, as most other states do not have either. Speaking of our Legislative Agenda, we (staff and representatives from our Governmental Affairs Committee) travelled to Tallahassee in November to deliver our agenda to our elected officials and agencies. We appreciate our subject matter experts taking time away from their busy schedules to join us on the trip. With session beginning in January, it was extremely important we get ahead of the game with an early trip. Of course that meant that everything had to be expedited i.e., surveying of members; prioritizing; drafting/writing of position papers; approval on three different levels; plans and appointments. It worked perfectly, and now we are in a monitoring mode and prepared to deal with any other issue that may arise unexpectedly. We thank Representatives Trumbull and Drake; Senator Gaetz; Department of Transportation, FWC and DEP for taking time from their busy schedules to hear our concerns. To see our agenda, visit our website at panamacity.org. I think it’s important we celebrate one of our major accomplishments for 2015, and that is the membership goal we set for ourselves. We started the year with 898 corporate members. A goal to reach 950 was set in the business plan. We are happy to announce that at the December Board of Directors meeting, we approved the 953rd member for the organization. Hats off to our many volunteers, our VP of Membership Development, Tamara Barnes and our Membership Account Executive, Stephane Balch, for pounding the pavement and achieving this goal. The difficult part of reaching this goal is to net that actual number. As most know, we have members come and go. Some do not renew for one reason or another. Thank you to our new members, and all others, for supporting this great organization and its efforts to grow our community.

We have hit the ground running in 2016. Please see our leadership line up in this issue and get to know your Board of Directors. As you have probably already seen, our theme for this year is “come grow with us”. You’ll be seeing more and more throughout the year on all of our publications, membership plaques, ebiz, website, FB and more. I can’t mention this theme without saying, these are not just “catalog kids”; these are our children from Bay County, and we thank the parents for allowing us to include their children in this worthwhile campaign.

Carol Roberts 6

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President/CEO

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Guide to 2016 Elections by: Brandi DeRuiter, VP of Governmental Affairs

2016 is a big year for elections. Several elections are held during a presidential election year and we want to keep you informed of offices to be filled and important election dates. This guide lists voter registration deadlines, early voting dates, Election Day dates and times, and offices up for election. Presidential Preference Primary Election* Registration Deadline Early Voting Dates

March 5-12, March 5-12, 2016 2016 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. March 15, 2016

Election Day

February 16, 2016

Municipal Super Tuesday Election Registration Deadline Early Voting Dates Election Day

March 21, 2016 April 11-15, 2016

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

April 19, 2016

Office up for Election:

Offices up for Election:

President of the United States of America

Callaway Mayor, Commissioner Ward 3, and Commissioner Ward 4

Panama City Beach Mayor, Council Member Ward 2, and Council Member Ward 4

* Only Democrats and Republicans can vote in this election

Mexico Beach Council Member Group 4 and Council Member Group 5

Springfield Commissioner Ward 1 and Commissioner Ward 2

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Municipal MunicipalRunoff RunoffElection Election(if(ifnecessary) necessary) Registration Registration Deadline Deadline Early Early Voting Voting Dates Dates Election Election Day Day

April April 18, 18, 2016 2016 ToTo BeBe Determined Determined May May 17,17, 2016 2016

Early Early Voting Voting Dates Dates Election Election Day Day

President President andand Vice Vice President President of of thethe United United States States of America, of America, USUS Representatives Representatives (All(All Districts), Districts), andand USUS Senator Senator

Early Early Voting Voting Dates Dates Election Election Day Day

August August 1,1, 2016 2016 August August 20-27, 20-27, 2016 2016 August August 30, 30, 2016 2016

Federal Federal

October October 11, 11, 2016 2016 Oct Oct 2929 - Nov - Nov 5,5, 2016 2016 November November 8,8, 2016 2016

Offices Offices upup forfor Election: Election: Federal Federal

Registration Registration Deadline Deadline

Offices Offices upup forfor Election: Election:

General GeneralElection Election Registration Registration Deadline Deadline

Primary PrimaryElection Election

Local Local

Circuit Circuit Court Court Group Group 1, 2, 1, 5, 2, &5,8, & Clerk 8, Clerk of the of the Court Court andand Comptroller, Comptroller, Sheriff, Sheriff, Property Property Appraiser, Appraiser, TaxTax Collector, Collector, Superintendent Superintendent of Schools, of Schools, Supervisor Supervisor of Elections of Elections County County Commission Commission Dists. Dists. State State 1, 31,&35,& School 5, School Board Board Member Member Dists. Dists. 1 1 State State Attorney, Attorney, Public Public Defender, Defender, State State & 4, & Beach 4, Beach Mosquito Mosquito Control Control Sts.Sts. 1, 2, 1, 2, Senator, Senator, State State Rep. Rep. District District 5, State 5, State & 3, & and 3, and County County Judge Judge Group Group 3 3 Rep. Rep. District District 6 6

Local Local

Circuit Circuit Court Court Group Group 1, 2, 1, 5, 2, &5,8, & Clerk 8, Clerk of the of the Court Court andand Comptroller, Comptroller, Sheriff, Sheriff, Property Property Appraiser, Appraiser, TaxTax Collector, Collector, Superintendent Superintendent of Schools, of Schools, Supervisor Supervisor of Elections of Elections County County Commission Commission Dists. Dists. State State 1, 31,&35,& School 5, School Board Board Member Member Dists. Dists. 1 1 State State Attorney, Attorney, Public Public Defender, Defender, State State& 4, & Beach 4, Beach Mosquito Mosquito Control Control Sts.Sts. 1, 2, 1, & 2, & Senator, Senator, State State Rep. Rep. District District 5, State 5, State 3, and 3, and County County Judge Judge Group Group 3 3 Rep. Rep. District District 6 6

Register Register ToToVote Vote Mark Mark Andersen, Andersen, Supervisor Supervisor ofof Elections Elections Office: Office: 830 830 W.W. 11th 11th St,St, Panama Panama City, City, FLFL Phone: Phone: (850) (850) 784-6100 784-6100 | Fax: | Fax: (850) (850) 784-6141 784-6141 Email: Email: webrequest@bayvotes.org webrequest@bayvotes.org Hours: Hours: 8am 8am - 5pm - 5pm (Mon (Mon - Fri) - Fri) Voter Voter Registration Registration Forms Forms also also available available at:at: Supervisor Supervisor of of Elections Elections website website www.bayvotes.org, www.bayvotes.org, Bay Bay County County Sheriff’s Sheriff’s Office, Office, and and Libraries, Libraries, Colleges, Colleges, and and City City Halls Halls located located within within Bay Bay County County

WHERE WHERE DO DO I VOTE? I VOTE?

WHAT WHAT DO DO I NEED? I NEED?

During During Early Early Voting, Voting, you you may may vote vote at at ANY ANY early early voting voting site site conveniently conveniently located located throughout throughout Bay Bay County County toto help help expedite expedite and and alleviate alleviate long long lines lines onon Election Election Day. Day.

You You areare not not required required toto bring bring your your voter voter information information card card toto the the polling polling place place oror early early voting voting site. site. Take Take a valid a valid form form of of Florida Florida identification identification bearing bearing your your signasignature, ture, asas well well asas a picture a picture toto the the polling polling place place since since the the law law re-requires quires both both signature signature and and photo photo identification identification in in order order toto vote. vote.

Dates Dates and and times times will will vary vary from from election election toto election. election.Visit Visit http://www.bayvotes.org/Election-Info/Early-Voting-Sites http://www.bayvotes.org/Election-Info/Early-Voting-Sites toto find find anan early early voting voting site site near near you. you. NOTE: NOTE:FOR FOR AA MUNICIPAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION, ELECTION, YOUR YOUR DESIGNATED DESIGNATED POLLING POLLING LOCATION LOCATION MAY MAY VARY VARY FROM FROM YOUR YOUR ‘NORMAL’ ‘NORMAL’ POLLPOLLING ING LOCATION. LOCATION. OnOn Election Election Day, Day, you you must must vote vote at at your your designated designated polling polling lo-location. cation.Polls Polls will will bebe open open from from 7 am 7 am toto 7 pm. 7 pm.Call Call the the Bay Bay County County Supervisor Supervisor of of Elections Elections office office at at 850-784-6100 850-784-6100 toto find find out out your your polling polling location location oror visit visit http://www.bayvotes.org/ http://www.bayvotes.org/ Election-Info/Election-History-Sample-Ballots. Election-Info/Election-History-Sample-Ballots.

Approved Approved Forms Forms ofof Identification: Identification: 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 4. 5. 5. 6. 6. 7. 7. 8. 8.

Florida Florida driver's driver's license license Florida Florida identification identification card card issued issued byby the the Department Department of of Highway Highway Safety Safety and and Motor Motor Vehicles Vehicles United United States States Passport Passport Debit Debit oror Credit Credit Card Card Military Military identification identification Student Student identification identification Retirement Retirement Center Center identification identification Neighborhood Neighborhood Association Association identification identification

If you If you dodo not not bring bring these these materials materials to to the the polling polling place, place, you you will will bebe required required to to vote vote the the provisional provisional process. process.

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The former Panama City-Bay County International Airport moved in 2010, but even before its closure, the St. Andrew Bay Land Company in Panama City began planning SweetBay, Panama Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first master-planned community, on the 700acre site. SweetBay is envisioned to be a walkable and bike friendly new home community at the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge with restaurants, retail and recreation.

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professional services to homebuilders and buyers, such as architects and real estate agents. Homebuilding also has a positive effect on government revenue. The national impacts of building an average single-family home include $74,354 in federal taxes and $36,603 in state and local fees and taxes, according to the NAHB study.

Groundbreaking for SweetBay

The property was previously owned by the J.B. Atkinson, Jr. family and used as a private airfield. In 1932, they donated the land to the Panama City Chamber of Commerce for use as a community airfield. The land was named Atkinson Field after its generous owners. Later, in the late 1930s, it was expanded into an airport by adding a small passenger terminal and two intersecting runways, and renamed Fannin Field. The airport was renamed again in the late 1940s as the Panama City Bay County Airport, and later earned the designation of “international airport.” After undergoing a major redevelopment in 1995, the airport was relocated in 2010. In 2012, the land was sold to the St. Andrew Bay Land Company for $52 million.

Regarding the potential economic impact, Fish said, “While it’s difficult to project the number of jobs created than over the life of such a sizeable project, we anticipate more 400 jobs to be created in the first phase of residential development alone. We believe SweetBay has tremendous potential to not only create jobs for local residents, but also for those who want to relocate to this wonderful part of Florida.” Academy Park is the first phase of the community, and at its heart is the neighborhood’s charter school, University Academy. Set on land made available by the St. Andrew Bay Land Co. University Academy is a free, public K-6 charter school which opened on the Florida State University Panama City campus in 2012 and relocated to its permanent

The SweetBay plan, the result of four years of planning and input from hundreds of local residents, calls for the development of a series of neighborhoods woven together by trails and waterways. The community is being designed around four foundational pillars: walkability, preservation of the bayfront, honoring the local history and traditions, and promoting wellness through outdoor living. “The scale of the community offers plenty of opportunities for positive economic impact for the area,” said Jacob Fish, director of development for the St. Andrew Bay Land Company. “Thousands of jobs will be created during the construction and development phases, but that is just the beginning. Bringing new homeowners into the Panama City market area will benefit the entire business community. And the new commercial spaces that will open up in the community will have a positive effect community-wide,” said Fish.

Plans call for up to 3,200 housing units and up to 700,000 square feet of commercial space to be built over the next 20 years. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) estimated in 2014 that building an average single-family home generates 2.97 jobs, measured in full-time equivalents (enough work to keep one worker employed for a year). A substantial share of this is employment for construction workers. But also included is employment in firms that manufacture building products, transport and sell products, and provide 12

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home in the renovated airport terminal building in 2014. The school is leading the district in math and reading scores and is adding middle school grades each year through grade 8. Residents of SweetBay receive priority access for charter school attendance. The success of the school has increased interest in the community and has caught the attention of people relocating to the area. Education is a primary consideration for families contemplating relocation when they are moving to a new city and access to a top-rated school within walking distance of home is a valuable incentive to move to the area. Academy Park is anticipated to have 260 single-family homes upon completion. These homes are expected to range from $260,000 and up. The signature floorplans are designed to accommodate a wide range of residents including firsttime homeowners, and young families through mature buyers and those looking to downsize. Over the last few years Bay County has seen a rise in both tourism and permanent residents relocating to the area. The variety in size, style, and price of the housing in SweetBay is designed to provide housing options for this residential influx. “It is rare to find a 700-acre developable parcel within Panama City. The beauty of the bay and natural landscape make it a great place for this type of masterfully planned community,” says Holly Pituch, marketing coordinator for St. Andrew Bay Land. “A primary goal is to provide access

to the waterfront and the surrounding preserve. To create an environment where people have a sense of community, where residents can walk to school, stores, parks and restaurants or bike around the neighborhood for recreation,” she explained. Principals from California-based HomeFed Corporation, the parent company of St. Andrew Bay Land, also planned the renowned beach community of Rosemary Beach in Walton County, a luxury resort town with many seasonal homeowners. SweetBay, however, is designed primarily for yearround residents. The waterfront community on the former airport site allows for plenty of room for growth as the neighborhoods take shape during the 20-year projected build-out. Construction for Academy Park began in 2015, and the first homes will be available for purchase in spring of 2016. Homes will reflect coastal traditional and craftsman styles of architecture. The first phase also includes five community parks; several with playground equipment, space for picnicking and outdoor events and others will be designated as open green space. A community pool is also planned in the first neighborhood.

Preserving the natural beauty of the land and surrounding water is a primary focus in the community’s design, say the developers. Seventy-three acres have already been preserved through a conservation easement encompassing much of approximately 5 miles of bay frontage. “A great deal of consideration and thought has gone into this planning process,” Pituch says. “It’s about delivering a healthy community and the quality of life that comes with it.” While a community of this scale will take years to complete, its impact on the surrounding area is already being felt. The addition of University Academy has created an amazing new resource for Panama City, and has provided new jobs and opportunities for Bay County residents. The Welcome Center is well under construction and will serve as the community’s first information hub. The Grand Opening is planned for spring of 2016 “By providing housing, jobs, opportunities for business expansion and bayside recreation for the entire Panama City community, SweetBay looks forward to becoming an active player in Panama City’s economic life,” added Fish. B AY B I Z

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On October 29th, 29th, the the Bay Bay County CountyChamber Chamberof ofComComOn October merce and Tyndall Tyndall Federal FederalCredit CreditUnion Unionheld heldthe the5th 5th merce and Annual First Responders Responders Appreciation Appreciation Luncheon. Luncheon. Annual First Local Law Enforcement, Enforcement,Fire, Fire,EMS, EMS,and andDispatch Dispatchperpersonnel were were honored honored at at FSU FSU Panama Panama City. City. Officer Officer Mike Edwards, Edwards, Co-Founder Co-Founderof ofHumanizing Humanizingthe theBadge, Badge, a group created created to to increase increase support supportof oflaw lawenforceenforcement and build build bridges bridges within withinthe thecommunities communitiesthey they serve, was the the Keynote Keynote speaker speakerfor forthe theevent. event.Officer Officer Edwards spoke spoke on on the the challenges challengesof ofbeing beingaaFirst FirstReResponder, and and how how Bay Bay County Countyshould shouldbe beproud proudto tobe be home to these these brave brave men menand andwomen. women. Awards were were given given in in the the categories categoriesof ofLine Lineof ofDuty, Duty, Multidisciplinary, and Community Service. CongratuMultidisciplinary, and Community Service. Congratulations to Lieutenant Lieutenant Alan Alan Strobel Strobeland andCorporal CorporalLuLuther Burnam, who took home the Line of Duty award. Burnam, who took home the Line of Duty award.

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Matt Lopez with Lieutenant Alan Strobel and Corporal Luther Burnam, Line Matt Lopez with Lieutenant Alan Strobel and Corporal Luther Burnam, Line of Duty Award Recipients, and 2015 Chairman Mike Sears of Duty Award Recipients, and 2015 Chairman Mike Sears

Officer Tom Hedges, Multidisciplinary award Recipient

Captain Terry Parris, Community Service Award Recipient

School Resource Officer Tom Hedges, received the Multidisciplinary award. Panama City Beach Firefighter Captain Terry Parris was honored with the Community Service Award.

Congratulations to all the First Responders who were nominated for the awards by their departments or family members. A special appreciation video was shown produced by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and WMBB-TV. The video features local officials and First Responders. To view the project, visit PanamaCity.org. Thank you to Perry & Young for your sponsorship of this piece. A challenge coin was placed at the seat of everyone in attendance, and boxes were sent to each department in Bay County to thank First Responders for their service. The donation of coins was made possible by Gulf Coast State College and Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center.

The LASIK for Local Heroes contest was announced at the event and sponsored by the Eye Center of North Florida. Identical twin brothers Lawrence and Douglas Smith were honored with free eye surgery. Lawrence is a Lieutenant with Bay County EMS and Douglas is a Sergeant with the Bay County Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office. Both have served the community as First Responders for almost 20 years. Special thanks to our sponsors: Presenting Sponsor: Tyndall Federal Credit Union; Keynote Speaker Sponsor: Bay Medical Sacred Heart; Lasik For Heroes Sponsor: The Eye Center of North Florida; Award Sponsor: Emerald Coast Hospice; Coin Sponsors: Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center and Gulf Coast State College and Video Sponsor: Perry and Young and WMBB. Gold Sponsor: Superior Residences.

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The Use of Technology in Education is Benefiting Students by: Heather Weekley, Assistant Campus Director Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

surge in communication technology has enhanced the continuing education experience. The use of this new technology has created an innovative and revolutionary means of bringing the classroom experience right into a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s living room and the accessibility of these tools are readily available right at their fingertips. The fusion of education and technology has evolved into an indispensable way of delivering quality education. Both community colleges and universities are implementing the same technology to meet the demanding world of working adults. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University- Worldwide, Tyndall AFB campus, not only offers degrees in cutting edge fields, but they also offer them in cutting edge modalities. For example, EagleVision utilizes webcam based systems of learning where the professor is teaching live from a classroom environment at any brick and motar location or remotely anywhere with a network connection. The student can interact with his or her professor by asking questions or by participating in group discussions. Students are

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able to get the face-to-face interaction typically associated with traditional classroom settings without actually being face-to-face with their professor. With EagleVision, professors are able to app share their home computer screen to work a complicated math equation or show a video that better explains the lesson. This education platform provides the best solution for working adults that want a classroom feel but on their schedule. The key to staying on track with education is flexibility. Embry-Riddle students can choose to take his/her course in this modality one night a week from their home computer being taught live by a professor. Other local colleges boast web and blended classes that can fit any schedule. With the growing demand on working adults this can be the only modality suitable for such a busy lifestyle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Students at Gulf Coast State College take online courses for a variety of reasons, including work or family commitments. We use a variety of software programs to enhance the e-learning ex-

perience for our students using a Learning Management Sysperience for our students using a Learning Management System. Professors are able to conduct their classes through live tem. Professors are able to conduct their classes through live video conferences promoting student interaction and group disvideo conferences promoting student interaction and group discussions. In addition, students can easily collaborate on projects cussions. In addition, students can easily collaborate on projects theythey are working on, on, chat, send files and upload presentations. are working chat, send files and upload presentations. The The use use of software helps to eliminate the isolation of software helps to eliminate the isolationsome somefeel feel when taking online classes by engaging in real-time with when taking online classes by engaging in real-time withtheir their professors andand peers,” Dr. Dr. Arifa Garman, Director professors peers,” Arifa Garman, DirectorofofE-LearnE-Learning. ing. Florida StateState University Panama City offers itsits students a unique Florida University Panama City offers students a unique wayway to stay connected. TheThe myFSU Mobile App is is a free to stay connected. myFSU Mobile App a freephone phone application delivers campus maps, Blackboard mobile,calcalapplication thatthat delivers campus maps, Blackboard mobile, endars, more directly to the users hands. Also availableisis endars, and and more directly to the users hands. Also available myFSUVLab. According to fsu.edu “myFSUVLabis isa away waytoto myFSUVLab. According to fsu.edu “myFSUVLab log to onFSU’s to FSU’s 24/7 virtual computer accesscampus campus log on 24/7 virtual computer lablab to toaccess software anywhere.” Staying connected the fastpaced, paced, software fromfrom anywhere.” Staying connected in in the fast working world is important a student’s ability succeed. working world is important to atostudent’s ability toto succeed. University conducts online learningthrough throughBlackBlackTroyTroy University conducts its its online learning Board. BlackBoard is an online platform where students seekBoard. BlackBoard is an online platform where students seeking their degree online can conduct their day to day classwork. ing their degree online can conduct their day to day classwork. A typical class is heavily influenced by classroom discussion A typical class is heavily influenced by classroom discussion boards. This is where students conduct daily assignments and boards. This is where students conduct daily assignments and “homework” where they discuss and debate topics amongst “homework” where The theydiscussion discuss and debate amongst their classmates. boards are atopics way for students theirtoclassmates. The discussion boards are a way for fully explore a topic and defend any argument students they may to fully topic and defend any argument they may makeexplore about aaparticular subject.

make about a particular subject. Many professors incorporate a hybrid blend into their classes, Many professors incorporate a hybrid blend into their classes, where a student will have various topics covered through a vidwhere student will every have various topics covered a video alink. Because TROY professor must bethrough a full-time faceo link. every TROY professor a full-time fac-in ulty Because member to conduct a class, manymust of thebe professors teach ulty member to conduct a class, many of the professors teach in

traditional classroom classroom setting, forfor aatraditional setting,and andwill willvideo videotheir theirlectures lectures theironline online students students to their to witness. witness. “Online learning learning is spend “Online is definitely definitelyaaconvenience. convenience.I actually I actually spend more time time communicating communicating with more with my mypeers peersininananonline onlineclassclassroom than than II did did in from mymy room in aa traditional traditionalclass. class. Online Onlineclasses, classes, from personal experience, and from family and friends experiences, personal experience, and from family and friends experiences, are the PERFECT alternative for higher education for the full are the PERFECT alternative for higher education for the full time working adult who spends their day grinding at work and time working adult who spends their day grinding at work and has a family at home. Going to spend 2-3 hours a week in a has a family at work home.is just Going to option spend for 2-3me hours a week in a classroom after not an at this point in classroom after work is just not an option for me at 2012, this point my life.” --Matthew Wright (TROY Undergraduate Cur- in my Matthew rentlife.” MPA--student withWright TROY).(TROY Undergraduate 2012, Current MPA student with TROY). With all the convenience and choices available from online With all tools, the convenience choices available from learning the dream ofand pursuing a college degree andonline fulearning tools, dream ture career can the finally comeoftopursuing fruition. a college degree and future career can finally come to fruition.

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INSIGHTS: Bay EDA Update by: Becca Hardin, President current labor statistics for Bay County LABOR FORCE

EMPLOYED

UNEMPLOYED

UNEMPLOYED RATE

SEPT 15

86,319

81,981

4,338

5.0%

OCT 15

84,314

80,129

4,185

5.0%

NOV 15

82,873

78,643

4,230

5.1%

SEPT 14

91,226

86,009

5,218

5.7%

OCT 14

87,249

82,054

5,195

6.0%

NOV 14

85,847

80,490

5,357

6.2%

real estate sales EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

REALTOR SALES

MEDIAN PRICE

REALTOR SALES

MEDIAN PRICE

SEPT 15

254

$177,750

23,651

$199,900

OCT 15

288

$178,000

23,574

$199,990

NOV 15

252

$181,000

22,147

$198,995

SEPT 14

248

$165,000

21,742

$180,000

OCT 14

215

$194,250

20,792

$180,000

NOV 14

225

$150,000

21,894

$177,000

CONDO - TOWNHOME SALES SEPT 15

103

$195,500

9,277

$150,000

OCT 15

107

$192,500

9,348

$152,076

NOV 15

110

$196,500

9,294

$150,000

SEPT 14

138

$181,000

8,900

$136,000

OCT 14

138

$176,000

8,622

$142,700

NOV 14

128

$182,500

9,377

$139,900

Bay County building permits RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

SEPT 15

OCT 15

NOV 15

SEPT 14

OCT 14

NOV 14

Bay County sales tax collections

GROSS SALES

TAXABLE SALES

TAX COLLECTIONS

SEPT 15

$727,593,540

$438,602,802

$26,370,045

OCT 15

$586,335,772

$321,940,227

$19,442,732

NOV 15

$604,320,643

$303,148,707

$18,476,931

SEPT 14

$659,843,189

$409,405,057

$24,981,751

OCT 14

$548,455,559

$318,712,244

$19,022,226

NOV 14

$552,023,768

$272,201,075

$16,902,139

B AY B I Z

JANUARY - MARCH 2016

Happy New Year! We are reflecting on 2015 and looking forward to the promise that 2016 has to offer. We crunched the numbers and last year was a success! There were over 7,696 visits to BayEDA. com, a 30 percent increase over the previous year’s Web site traffic. We submitted over 34 formal proposals to companies and site selection consultants. We had exposure to 1,000 corporate decision makers which resulted in a 50 percent increase in EDA generated prospect leads. More than 300 requests for information were satisfied from our office. That’s just a sample from our 2015 Annual Report. These results tell us that the recipe is right. In order to achieve the success that we all want for Bay County, we have to keep cooking. For 2016, our strategy is to continue to build upon the momentum that has been created and improve and refine our program of work. One of our program initiatives last year was to redesign our website, BayEDA. com. In our industry, an organization’s digital presence is critically important. Site selectors often tell us that they will eliminate a community from a corporate location search, based on their website alone. Also, did you know that you can search for available commercial and industrial properties in our sites and buildings database or that you can download community demographics and statistics through our interactive tool? Please visit BayEDA.com to learn more. Call us at 850-215-9965.

October - December 2015 Demographic Snapshot Bay County Population: 178,324 Median Age: 40 Labor Force: 90,424 Average Wage: $33,251

Households: 67,561 Household Income: $47,461 Per Capita Income: $24,498

Bay County bed tax collections PANAMA CITY BEACH

MEXICO BEACH

PANAMA CITY

AUG 15

$1,745,766

$49,692

$118,071

AUG 14

$1,871,812

$53,853

% CHANGE

-6.73%

-7.73%

SEPT 15

$1,323,654

$55,331

$95,908

SEPT 14

$1,045,971

$37,627

% CHANGE

26.55%

47.05%

OCT 15

$1,043,959

$34,987

$94,571

OCT 14

$968,831

$27,784

% CHANGE

7.75%

25.92%

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport passenger traffic TOTAL PASSENGERS

COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS

SEPT 15

74,677

1,241

OCT 15

78,887

1,286

NOV 15

61,478

1,144

SEPT 14

65,704

1,020

OCT 14

70,631

1,117

NOV 14

54,994

926

National, state & local unemployment rate (Jan 1990 to July 2013) 16.0

14.0

12.0

10.0

8.0

Florida US Bay County

6.0

4.0

2.0

0.0

B AY B I Z

JANUARY - MARCH 2016

A recent Florida Chamber of Commerce poll reveals voters in our region believe Florida is heading in the right direction. 59 percent of voters polled in our area believe Florida is moving in the right direction, versus 24 percent who believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. Statewide, voters share our views, but by a lesser 44 percent-to-34 percent margin. Simply put, our region feels more positive about the future of our state. Pensacola shares our sunny view, where voters responded by a whopping 67 precent-to-19 percent margin, the highest in the state.

IS FLORIDA HEADING IN THE RIGHT OR WRONG DIRECTION? (STATEWIDE, RIGHT: 44, WRONG: 34)

B AY B I Z

STATEWIDE