Bay Biz Winter 2022

WINTER 2022 | VOL. 12 / ISSUE 1 PANAMACITY.ORG

U.S. COAST GUARD CONTINUES TO GROW IN BAY COUNTY

T H E VO I C E O F B U S I N E S S F R O M T H E B AY C O U N T Y C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

NEW RADIO SYSTEM KEEPS BAY COUNTY SAFE

winter 2022

departments 4

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

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POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE Affordable Housing on the Horizon

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DEFENSE INTEL U.S. Coast Guard Continues to Grow in Bay County

10 HEALTH Watchman Procedure Reducing Chance of Stroke in Bay County 14 EDUCATION New Education Opportunities Coming to Tyndall Elementary 20 TECHNOLOGY New Radio System Keeps County Safe 24

ECONOMIC PROFILE

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WORKFORCE CONNECTION

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BAY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS MEMBER TO KNOW

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BIZ LIST

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NEW MEMBERS

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MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

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features 18

COVER STORY Latitude Margaritaville Watersound Delivers Another Slice of Paradise to the Emerald Coast and Bay County

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FIRST RESPONDERS APPRECIATION LUNCHEON RECAP

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The Bay Biz is published quarterly by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce. POSTMASTER send address changes to: Bay County Chamber, PO Box 1850, Panama City, FL 32402 or email information@baychamberfl.com. The Bay Biz welcomes story ideas from its readers. To have your story added, please email information@baychamberfl.com. To request additional copies, call 850-785-5206.

PUBLISHER Carol Roberts

ART DIRECTION, LAYOUT, AND DESIGN

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Taylor Smith CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kim Bodine, Joey W. Ginn, Sharon Michalik, Carol Roberts, Paula Robertson, Valerie Sale, Elizabeth Smith, Kenneth W. Steere, and Ione Villegas CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Ascension Sacred Heart, Bay County Chamber of Commerce, Joey W. Ginn, Latitude Margaritaville, Linda Griner/Bay District Schools, and Doug Dobos

BAY BIZ MAGAZINE c/o Bay County Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 1850 Panama City, FL 32402 850-785-5206 panamacity.org | information@baychamberfl.com

COVER Latitude Margaritaville comes to the Emerald Coast with a new development for residents 55+.

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Presently, high school students have limited opportunities to explore careers in the technical trades (i.e., construction and skilled labor). This issue ties directly to the workforce housing

2022? My, how the time flies.

Kicking off another year is undoubtedly exciting, and the future is bright for Bay County.

As most of you know, we have new Chamber Leadership each year. Garrett Anderson is at the helm as the 2022 Chairman of the Board, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have a local entrepreneur leading us through the year. But, of course, in his profession as a building contractor, affordable housing and trades education within our school district is top of mind.

topic as available skilled trade individuals limit contractor resources.

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As the community’s only retail/commercial development recruitment effort, the continued partnership with NextSite will be evaluated.

These priorities were determined during the November Board of Directors Planning Session, a day-long event that took a look at our entire community from the thirty-thousand-foot view. Congressman Dunn, Bay County manager Bob Maka, Commanding Officers Col. Greg Moseley from TAFB and CMDR Keith Foster from NSA-PC, Bay Defense Alliance VP Glen McDonald, Assistant Port Director John Miller, Bay EDA President Becca Hardin, ECP Airport Director Parker McClellan, Bay County TDC Director Dan Rowe, Destination Panama City President Jennifer Vigil, and Mexico Beach TDC President Kimberley Shoaf all gave updates on their respective industries and discussed subjects of interest to the board.

Each year, this process is conducted to ensure the organization stays apprised of current issues and opportunities.

In this issue, we’re proud to bring you an in-depth story on Latitude 29 Margaritaville. This development is exciting to the future of our entire region, supplying much need housing. In addition, you’ll learn how various members of our community are working to build

You can see the Chamber’s position on those and other issues in our Legislative Agenda on our website, PanamaCity.org. Many other topics affecting the well-being of our community are also included in the document. In December, it was presented to our local and state delegation (Senator Gainer and Representatives Trumbull and Drake). One-on-one visits will take place at the beginning of the year when our Governmental Affairs Staff and subject-matter experts travel to the state capital and meet with agencies such as the Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) representatives.

a better bay, including the expansions coming to Tyndall Elementary School, a new procedure being offered at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay to reduce the chance of stroke, and the improvement to radio systems used by local first responders to keep them and the community safe.

To close, I hope you’ll plan to drop by our office and see our new addition to the building. We’ve joined the downtown community in the mural project and now have a beautiful vintage postcard on the east end of the building. It makes an excellent place for a photo op, so we hope you’ll bring friends and family to take advantage of the newest backdrop in Bay County. We would like to thank

Our 2022 Business Plan can also be found on the website and

Destination Panama City and the Bay Arts Alliance for making it all

highlights the top five priorities for the organization for the year:

possible. A special thank you goes to the artist, Morgan Summers,

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who brought our vision to life.

The Marina Civic Center and the need to move forward with the rebuild.

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We thank all of our investors for supporting this great organization and helping to build a better Bay County.

Quality education is of the utmost importance to the success of any community. Therefore, research is underway to determine factual data to support (or not) the need for an appointed school superintendent.

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Affordable workforce housing - this remains at a critical level for our community. State funding through Sadowski Funds and local housing trust funds must be protected.

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BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

Carol A. Roberts President/CEO

Paradise has arrived ON THE EMERALD COAST

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Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFIED THE OFFERINGS. Latitude Margaritaville Kentucky Registration Number R-201. For NY Residents: THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS ARE IN THE CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, LMWS, LLC. FILE NO. CP20-0062. Pennsylvania Registration Number OL001182. Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is registered with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salesmen, 1000 Washington Street, Suite 710, Boston, MA 02118 and with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20552. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required and has not been completed. The facilities and amenities described are proposed but not yet constructed. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only and are merely representative of current development plans. Development plans, amenities, facilities, dimensions, specifications, prices and features depicted by artists renderings or otherwise described herein are approximate and subject to change without notice. ©Minto Communities, LLC 2022. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, stored, or transferred in any form or by any means without express written permission. Latitude Margaritaville and the Latitude Margaritaville logo are trademarks of Margaritaville Enterprises, LLC and are used under license.

Minto and the Minto logo are trademarks of Minto Communities, LLC and/or its affiliates. St. Joe and the St. Joe logo are trademarks of The St. Joe Company and are used under license. CGC 1519880/CGC 120919. 2022

political perspective Affordable Housing on the Horizon by: Valerie Sale, Bay County Chief of Communications

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n January 3rd, Bay County launched its new housing program to expand and fast-track access to available, affordable housing dollars to residents throughout the

county.

“We’ve certainly seen a lot of growth since Hurricane Michael, and now, more than ever, affordable housing is a critical need,”

housing rehabilitation, home replacement, disaster assistance, emergency repair assistance, foreclosure prevention, and mortgage assistance. Another approximately $6 million is available to Bay County through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program (SHIP).

Bay County Commissioner Doug Moore said. “We are confident

“This is a transformational amount of money and must benefit

that our program will be of tremendous benefit to those citizens

those still in need as swiftly as we can possibly get it into our

who still have needs and will streamline their application process

community,” Moore said.

while also expanding opportunities for assistance available to the

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low- and moderate-income families with purchase assistance,

public.”

“The assistance is available to qualified residents in Bay County,

Some $30 million in Hurricane Housing Recovery Program funding

SHIP program,” Program Manager Tammy Harris said. “Our aim

allotted to Bay County by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation

here is to move people through this program quickly. Our motto is

after Hurricane Michael is available through the program to assist

‘first applied, first qualified, first served.’”

BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

though Panama City Residences are asked to go through the city’s

She noted that factors such as household income, family size, and supporting documentation provided by the applicant help determine whether a candidate is eligible for assistance, and everyone’s circumstances are different.

“We really strive to do the qualification upfront,” Harris said.

“When someone calls, we want to walk them through the application process and be as flexible and beneficial to the applicants as possible.”

The goal, she said, is to avoid having clients languish in a queue, and the new program will include multiple caseworkers focused on customer service. “Resources can expand and contract as necessary to ensure the folks move through the process quickly,” said Harris.

The program also aims to partner lenders, developers, and real estate professionals to potential clients so that they may use the program to broker results.

“We are looking to fast track people who come in and are ready to go in a system that will move people through quickly,” Bay County Manager Bob Majka said.

Bay County’s new program is an evolution of the ReHouse Bay program. To learn more about the program or determine if you may be eligible, visit rehousebay.org or call the Bay County Housing Program at (850) 215-2479.

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defense intel U.S. Coast Guard Continues to Grow in Bay County by: Joey W. Ginn, Market President of Centennial Bank and Bay Defense Alliance (BDA) Board Member

D

id you know that the Coast Guard’s participation in amphibious activity during World War II was perhaps the most critical war-related job the service per-

formed? Incredibly, the Coast Guard entirely operated more than 350 naval ships, including 76 LST’s (Landing Ship, Tank), 21 cargo

Shellbacks, a nickname to sailors who have crossed the equator.

Those who have not crossed the equator are nicknamed Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs, or sometimes simply Slimy Wogs.

and attack-cargo ships, 75 frigates, and 31 transports. My dad,

U.S. Coast Guard Station Panama City

Marvin Ginn, was on one of those attack-cargo ships, the USS

I believe the Coast Guard and the valuable role they play here in

Sheliak. While on the Sheliak, he was part of the Okinawa Invasion

Bay County and the surrounding communities are often over-

on April 1, 1945, and was there for 19 days, according to letters

looked. Tyndall Air Force Base and NSA Panama City tend to gar-

he wrote my mother at the time. He described those 19 days as

ner much of the attention when it comes to our local military. You

“the worst hell hole anyone could imagine.” He said that there was

may not realize it, but Station Panama City was originally estab-

something like 60 air raids lasting from 4 to 24 hours during that

lished in 1935 near St. Andrews Marina. In 1971, the crew of nine

time. I can’t imagine the stress that puts on a person, but I am

moved the station to its current location in Alligator Bayou. The

thankful for the brave men and women who served our country.

station is the host to five tenant commands and falls within the

On a lighter note, and in typical Coast Guard humor, upon crossing the equator on his way to Guadalcanal Solomon Islands, my dad

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he has been found worthy of being numbered as one of our Trusty

Eighth Coast Guard District, and is under the operational control of Commander, Coast guard Sector Mobile.

received a certificate (on Feb. 23, 1945. The certificate indicated

Station Panama City has the largest area of responsibility within

his initiation into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the

the Eighth District and the Gulf of Mexico. This area extends from

Deep, signed by the ship’s Commander Searcy J. Lowrey and, of

Lake Powell to the west over to St. Marks to the east and covers

course, Davey Jones, His Majesty’s Scribe. The document says that

3,900 nautical square miles of inland and coastal waterways. It

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U.S Coast Guard Cutter Project Not a tenant on the base, but certainly should be mentioned, is the U.S Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) Project Resident Office (PRO). The PRO is staffed with Coast Guard personnel who oversee work and provide management of contract execution for the OPC acquisition.

Eastern Shipbuilding is on contract to build the first four offshore patrol cutters for the U.S Coast Guard and is competing for the contract for the rest of the class. The first ship, Argus, photographed below on October 18, 2021, is in construction and expected to deliver by the end of 2022. extends from the coastline out to 50 nautical miles offshore and contains 40 bayous, 18 rivers, 16 bays, three sounds, and two lakes.

The station’s missions include:

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You may recall that in 2016, Eastern Shipbuilding beat out several more prominent and better-known yards for the Coast Guard’s offshore patrol cutter program. Unfortunately, within two weeks of the yard wrapping up the detailed design phase and being awarded

Search and Rescue

construction funds for the first ship, Hurricane Michael hit Panama

Maritime Law Enforcement

City and destroyed pretty much everything in its path.

Recreational Boating Safety Living Marine Resources Enforcement-Fisheries Enforcement Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security Pollution Response

Assets of the Station include 2-45’ Response Boats, 1-29’ Response Boat, and 1-24’ Special Purpose Craft for access to shallow water. The Station has 50 personnel comprised of 28 active duty and 22 reserve. The Station, on average, has 90 search and rescue cases annually, 400-600 enforcement boardings per year, and

In 2019, the Coast Guard decided to take the bulk of the OPC program from Eastern, hoping to keep its cutter replacement program on schedule. This change left the company to work on the first four ships in the program, with the remaining 21 to be sent back out for bid.

Despite this setback resulting from the hurricane, Eastern Shipbuilding has not wavered from its mission and continues to work on the four vessels. Argus was originally expected to be delivered

spend an average of 1500 hours on the water.

in 2021; however, after the hurricane, the Coast Guard reassessed

The Five tenant commands include:

Eastern has done a tremendous job transforming itself from a

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the schedule and moved the expected delivery date to 2022.

Cutters: Coast Guard Cutters Sea Horse and Ridley. These

family shop to a proper government contractor, a major challenge

are two 87’ Coastal Marine Boats with a maritime law enforce-

according to Eastern Shipbuilding Group President Joey D’Isernia.

ment mission, combating drug smuggling, illegal immigration, marine fisheries enforcement, search & rescue support and ports, waterways, and coastal security.

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Aids to Navigation Team (ANT): They manage the buoy system, maintaining 600 aids to navigation across 25 Federal Navigation Projects and 350 nautical miles of Intracoastal and Coastal Waterways. They also coordinate with USACE on channel conditions and maintenance dredging requirements.

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Marine Safety Detachment (MSD): Member of MSD perform a variety of activities under the Marine safety mission of the Coast Guard. These activities include inspecting commercial vessels, responding to pollution, investigating marine casualties and merchant marines, waterways management, and licensing of merchant mariners. They also draft recommendations for transporting hazardous cargo by ships, such as liquid natural gas.

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Electronic Support Attachment (ESD): The ESD provides technical support services for the operation, inspection, repair, installation, and maintenance of most electronic, telecommunications, and computer equipment and related software throughout the Panhandle area and the Sector Mo-

D’Isernia said that Eastern submitted its bid in June and is awaiting feedback. The Coast Guard expects to award the OPC second stage detail design and construction contract in spring 2022.

This article was written based on the presentation made by Master Chief A. Mark Kannan at the Bay County Chamber’s First Friday event and a recent article in Defense News by Megan Eckstein.

bile’s eastern Area of Operation.

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U.S. Coast Guard Dive School

BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

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health Watchman Procedure Reducing Chance of Stroke in Bay County by: Ione Villegas, Ascension Sacred Heart

W

hen Judith Johnson was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation three years ago, she was prescribed a blood thinner to reduce her risk of having a stroke

or heart attack. She tolerated the treatment for one year before

select patients who have atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that makes the heart beat irregularly.

she started having recurring nosebleeds.

Johnson was one of the first patients to undergo the procedure,

“I never knew when the nosebleeds would happen; I could be read-

of driving hours out of town to undergo an advanced procedure,

ing a book or shopping for groceries,” said Johnson, 82, of Panama

they now had specialized cardiac care close to home.

City Beach. The only telltale of what was to come was the warm trickle of liquid running down her nose. “The nosebleeds would last for an hour with up to eight episodes every month. They were

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was performing procedures to implant the WATCHMAN device on

marking a significant milestone for Bay County residents. Instead

During the one-hour procedure, a catheter is inserted through the groin and is used to place the device in the upper left chamber of

a nuisance,” she said.

the heart. This location is where blood clots most commonly form.

In October, Johnson learned that she was a candidate for a mini-

with a material coating. It acts as a filter to prevent blood clots

mally-invasive procedure that would allow her to stop taking blood

from leaving the heart and entering the bloodstream. As a result,

thinners. The cardiovascular team at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay

the blood clot is stopped from potentially becoming stuck in

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The device features a metal frame that is shaped like a parachute

the blood vessels of the brain, which is what results in a stroke.

WATCHMAN is the only FDA-approved device for lowering the risk of stroke in patients with AFib.

thinners without risking a stroke or blood clots. She was afraid that a fall would cause internal bleeding. She’s grateful she doesn’t have to worry about that scary scenario anymore.

The Watchman program was set to launch before Hurricane Michael hit in 2018, but was placed on hold to focus on rebuilding the hospital. Once it was operating at full capacity, planning and training resumed.

The successful patient outcomes are made possible by the teamwork, shared vision, and goals of many, said Robin Godwin, president of Ascension Sacred Heart Bay. “Providing this less-invasive cardiac procedure to our community was a significant moment for our patients who turn to us Dr. Amir Haghighat, an interventional cardiologist who treats

during their greatest time of need to provide them with the most

patients at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay, said the advanced cardiac

advanced and compassionate heart care possible,” Godwin said.

procedure is a game-changer for patients in Bay County.

“With minimal downtime, patients can begin enjoying the activities that matter most to them.”

“Strokes are one of the most dreaded complications of atrial fibrillation, and a large number of residents in our area suffer from arrhythmia,” Haghighat said. “The risk of stroke is five times higher if you have AFib. Now, we can offer this advanced procedure to

The Watchman procedure reflects the dedication and coordinated efforts of an interdisciplinary team that includes electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, anesthesiology, and heart and vascular

minimize that risk and keep our patients healthy.”

nurses. There’s also a nurse navigator who guides patients along

Patients with AFib are typically required to take blood thinners to

the support they need.

prevent blood clots from forming. However, patients who cannot take blood thinners due to the risk of additional complications may be eligible to receive the procedure and will no longer be required to take the blood thinners. While the procedure is invasive, it only has about a 1 percent complication rate. It is performed in the cardiac cath lab at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay, and the majority of patients are discharged on the same day of the implant.

their care journey, answering questions and providing them with

For Johnson, who hasn’t undergone a procedure in 30 years, nurse navigator Josie Boring provided her with peace of mind. “Josie was an absolute angel,” she said. “She kept me informed every step of the way.”

For more information on the Heart Institute at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay, visit ascension.org/bayheart.

Another patient who underwent the procedure at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay said she now has peace of mind. She said the procedure was a “godsend” because she can stop taking blood

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education New Education Opportunities Coming to Tyndall Elementary by: Sharon Michalik, Director of Communications, Bay District Schools

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ith more than $4.9 billion in expansion planned for Tyndall Air Force Base, it should come as no surprise Bay District Schools is also investing in

Acting Tyndall Principal Carolyn Dehner explained that the K-8 model makes sense for students and parents. “If students and parents already have a solid relationship both personally and

our school on base. We’re excited to finally be in the design/build

academically with their elementary school, it makes sense to keep

phase of a $12 million facility that will be home to our expanding

that security in place to support them through the challenging

middle school.

times of sixth through eighth grade,” she said. “Because military

Before the hurricane, Tyndall Elementary School operated as a pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade school. However, the damage brought by the storm on the east side of town, and the planned multi-billion-dollar expansion of the base, presented the district

families often move from place to place, adding middle school grades to serve a wider age range of students offers more continuity and stability for the military family while stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base. This is a way to support and serve those who serve our country,” Dehner explained.

with a perfect opportunity to better serve the community with an

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expanded mission of our own. Adding a grade a year since 2020,

The addition of the middle school is welcome news to base

Tyndall Academy will house students in pre-kindergarten through

officials. “The growth of Tyndall Academy is exciting for the entire

eighth grade by the 2022-2023 school year.

Tyndall Air Force Base community. As the base expands with new

According to BDS Superintendent Bill Husfelt, the K-8 model,

community. Seeing Bay District Schools postured to support these

which is currently utilized at Breakfast Point Academy, is a popular

children and enhance the educational structure for the growing

option for parents. “The transition from elementary to middle

community reminds us how important the ongoing relationship

school is a hard one for students and parents,” he said. “ They have

between Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, and Bay County

embraced the concept of a K-8 so there’s less of a transition.”

remains,” explained USAF Col. Greg Moseley, Commander of the

BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

missions, thousands more Airmen and their families will join our

“We are very blessed to have such a strong, supportive partnership with Tyndall Air Force Base,” Husfelt said. “We believe firmly in supporting the mission and vision of those serving our country, and it’s truly our honor to be able to take care of, and educate, the children of those men and women.”

Base and BDS officials meet regularly, Husfelt said, to ensure students at Tyndall Academy (and the district’s other schools) have access to cutting-edge programming and innovative curriculum.

That partnership has contributed significantly to Tyndall Academy’s strong history of academic success with an “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education for 19 of the past 21 years.

The school’s academic ranking, Dehner said, is a testament to the commitment of faculty and staff and the high level of parental involvement.

“Our parents take a very active role in knowing their students’ teachers and what their children are learning. As a result, we see a ACC 325 Fighter Wing. “The recent Tyndall Academy classroom expansion and campus addition projects will undoubtedly support

high percentage of participation in school events, and we strive to communicate as much as possible to families,” she said.

military-connected students and families as Tyndall Air Force Base

Diversity also plays an important role. “Our population is diverse in

sustains its Air Dominance mission,” he added.

race, ethnicity, and experiential backgrounds, which in and of itself

The new building is scheduled to open in late 2023, and students, teachers, and parents eagerly anticipate the new spaces for teaching and learning. Many of those new spaces will be science labs

creates a great learning opportunity,” Dehner said. “It is a place where acceptance, appreciation, and support of others is key to our success,” she added.

and opportunities for pre-engineering and technology collabora-

The home-to-school connection is strengthened with the aid of

tion spaces.

Military Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) who are on campus all day

That news is music to the ears of teacher Morgan Sansbury who heads up the Science, Technology, and Math (STEM) approach at

and the presence of DOD-sponsored Anchored 4 Life Club, which offers students a myriad of resources.

Tyndall Academy. Under her direction, the middle school already

Dehner said the base also plays an integral role in daily life at

has an Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Competi-

Tyndall Academy. “Being on TAFB and serving military-dependent

tion Team that meets daily and competes nationally. In 2021, the novice team placed third in Scout class and was only beaten by high school teams.

The school’s engineering program offers an elective to all interested middle school students. In 2020, the class learned to solder and completed industry certification exams for Networking and Computer Essentials and Communication Essentials. This year, they are learning to program in JavaScript, build and maintain Lego Mindstorms, participate in the 2022 Invention Convention, and build candy machines/programming with Arduino Unos. Students are also learning Computer-Aided Design (CAD) modeling and 3D printing.

Meanwhile, in the Media Center, Tyndall Academy students can use state-of-the-art technology through the Woz Ed curriculum, incorporating construction, coding, robotics, and problem-solving.

Tyndall Academy also has a First Lego League team supported by the Doolittle Foundation. Fourth and fifth graders meet after school twice a week to construct missions, build robots and program them.

children we know can be a concern, but it also brings a high level of attention. TAFB personnel are our first responders, so we feel very secure knowing that if needed, they will be here within minutes to protect us or help in any given situation,” she said. “They patrol the campus and grounds regularly and work in cooperation with school personnel to provide additional safety measures.”

TAFB personnel also volunteer to help the school throughout the year and have played an integral role in the recent expansion of the school’s Parent Teacher Organization. The school is also supported by the hard-working School Liaison Officers and a plethora of other base officials.

“Working closely with our friends at Tyndall means the very best opportunities are being made available to the students and families of Tyndall Air Force Base and the surrounding neighborhoods,” noted Husfelt. “I am so proud of the strong partnership we have with both bases in our community, and I know that our students, and our schools, benefit from that collaboration and shared leadership approach. It’s truly an honor to serve our military families and to do so in partnership with our military officials.”

Tyndall Academy’s focus on STEM and robotics is just one example of the fabulous partnership between the base and BDS, according to Husfelt.

BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

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W

hen Minto Communities was searching for the ideal location for the third of the enormously popular Latitude Margaritaville communities, Northwest Florida’s gorgeous Emerald Coast was definitely on the radar. The magic happened when Minto connected with The St. Joe Company — one of Northwest Florida’s largest real estate development companies — and the two came together to develop Latitude Margaritaville Watersound.

Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is located in Bay County near Panama City Beach, just off the famed Scenic Highway 30-A corridor. Known for its stunning emerald-green waters and beautiful white-sand beaches, rolling sand dunes, and charming beach towns, the area is the embodiment of the relaxed, beachy vibe that is at the heart of the Latitude Margaritaville lifestyle.

The community is situated within the heart of St. Joe’s vast Bay-Walton Sector Plan that encompasses approximately 110,500 acres with approximately 15 miles of frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway. The area is entitled for 170,000 homes.

According to The St. Joe Company President and Chief Executive Officer Jorge Gonzalez, “St. Joe is pleased to work with Minto to offer the first active adult community of this kind in our region.

Minto has a solid record of successful developments throughout the state of Florida and the southeastern United States. Many factors set this community and our market apart from others. The Latitude Margaritaville community property is in close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and the area’s gorgeous white sand beaches, shopping and entertainment centers, as well as the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.

“The residents of Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, the first of whom moved into their new homes in the fall of 2021, will become full-time residents in the area, which will create tremendous economic impact in Bay County,” adds Gonzalez. “Not only will they contribute to the local tax base, but they also will undoubtedly frequent our locally owned small businesses that add so much to the charm of the local area,” he concludes.

18

BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

All-new model for active adult living Inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of legendary singer, songwriter, and best-selling author Jimmy Buffett whose songs evoke a passion for tropical escape and relaxation, Latitude Margaritaville communities are for those 55 and better who are growing older… but not up. This dynamic all-new model for active adult living is changing how pre-and-active retirement living is viewed forever with its irresistible concoction of food, fun, music, and escapism.

The first of the communities, Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach and Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head, opened in 2018.

The communities have experienced a tremendous response from those seeking to live the laid-back, “on vacation” lifestyle they offer. Over 550,000 are registered as Latitude Margaritaville Paradise Club members to receive regular updates on the communities and plans for additional locations.

The Latitude Margaritaville Watersound sales center and 13 colorful, island-inspired model homes opened in April 2021 to an overwhelmingly positive response from homebuyers. Sales started in May, and the first residents started moving into their homes in October.

One-of-a-kind opportunity in a one-of-a-kind setting Latitude Margaritaville Watersound’s first phase is planned to include 3,500 homes. However, because of the high demand for the community, plans are already moving forward for the next phase.

“Latitude Margaritaville Watersound will be unlike any other community in the U.S. when you factor in lifestyle, size, and design,” says Minto’s Latitude Margaritaville Division President William Bullock. “Minto looks for five fundamental keystones when selecting locations for Latitude Margaritaville communities. These include sufficient land, a coastal location, proximity to an airport, convenient retail and service businesses, and nearby medical facilities.

The Latitude Margaritaville Watersound location checks off all of these boxes as well as many, many more.”

WRI T T E N BY: PAU L A R O BE RTS ON

St. Joe recently announced plans to develop a health care campus just minutes from Latitude Margaritaville Watersound with Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Inc. and Florida State University College of Medicine (FSU). The proposed healthcare campus is planned for an 87-acre parcel near the intersection of State Highway 79 and Phillip Griffitts Sr. Parkway. In addition to a planned 100-bed inpatient facility, FSU intends to utilize the campus for research focused on successful aging and senior living technology.

“The region’s natural terrain is breathtaking, and there are many outdoor recreational activities, ranging from boating and deep-sea fishing to hiking, biking, golfing, and others,” adds Bullock. “Our audience has been asking for a Gulf of Mexico location, and this is a perfect complement to our other coastal destinations in Daytona Beach and Hilton Head.”

A world-class lifestyle At Latitude Margaritaville, the beat not only goes on…it is the heartbeat of the community. After all, when you name a community after a Jimmy Buffett song, you can expect a musical mix like no other. It’s impossible not to get your happy on at Latitude Margaritaville, and great music sets the tone and the beat for the community’s escape to the island's lifestyle.

Construction has started on Latitude Margaritaville Watersound’s impressive resort-style amenities. Phase one amenities include the Latitude Town Center and a town square featuring a tiered amphitheater, thatched roof bandshell, full-size concert stage, and jumbo screen for concerts and movies. The amphitheater will be positioned so that residents can hear live concerts and watch spectacular sunsets over the Intracoastal Waterway at the same time. In addition, a dance area will include a special recessed dance floor to provide extra give and spring for dancers.

Dining and refreshment choices will include a two-story Bar & Chill restaurant overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, Changes in Attitude Bar, and second-story Overlook Bar. A state-of-the-art Fins Up! Fitness Center will include an indoor pool and spa. In addition, there will be a lagoon-style Paradise Pool with beach-like entry and Tiki Island. Additional amenities include tennis and pickleball courts with lighting for night play and a Barkaritaville Dog Park.

Future planned amenities include a Workin’ N’ Playin’ Center and Last Mango Theater. Residents also will be able to trick out their golf carts at the Hangar Workshop, and family pooches will be pampered at the Barkaritaville Pet Spa. Latitude Margaritaville Watersound will fully embrace connectivity with nature in every way and will include preserves and an extensive nature trail system. In addition, the site’s proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway will be maximized for recreational activities on the water. In addition to the many Latitude Margaritaville amenities, St. Joe has plans for a future full-service public marina and commercial village adjacent to the community.

Island-inspired models include cottages, villas, and single-family homes The Latitude Margaritaville sales center and model homes are open daily. Home designs capture the “no worries” tropical vibe that defines Latitude Margaritaville. There are four distinct home collections: the Conch Cottage Collection, Caribbean Villas Collection, and Beach and Island Collections of single-family homes.

Floor plans range from 1,204 to 2,568 square feet under air with pricing from the mid- $200s. For more information on Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, visit www.LatitudeMargaritaville.com.

BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

19

technology New Radio System Keeps County Safe by: Kenneth W. Steere, Williams Communications, Project Management Director

B

ay County’s new emergency communication radio system, also known as the “800MHZ system” went substantially live at the end of July, greatly improving the

county’s emergency responders’ ability to communicate vital infor-

mation quickly and effectively. The new system is an Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Project 25 (P25) compliant 800MHz digital linear simulcast trunked reliable radio network. This network is capable of meeting current and future operational communication needs for the county’s first responders.

The new system is comprised of nine radio frequency (RF) sites (tower, shelter, generator), two network switching centers, five dispatch centers, and more than 1,800 subscriber radios (portable, mobile and control stations).

This new system will allow Bay County to transition away from proprietary solutions and provide the county with greater choice and selection in emerging radio technologies that are in full compliance with the APCO P25 industry-recognized open standards.

While the total cost for the project was $13 million, the expense ultimately represents a savings to the county by leveraging existing tower infrastructure and radio communication facilities where possible. Additionally, the new communications network’s infrastructure and design provides for greater reliability and hardening to better withstand natural and environmental hazards such as tropical storms, flooding, hurricanes, and domestic or other threats.

erability is the real-time ability to communicate with others, on demand, regardless of frequency band or manufacturer platform.

Bay County’s new radio system solves this challenge and allows field users and dispatchers to interoperate with not only surrounding agencies but also with other first responders when necessary.

The new radio system is designed to be reliable with no single point of failure. The nine-site, highly redundant design employs a Distributed Control Point technology that virtualizes the site control function to allow multiple sites the ability to perform this function, further hardening the system against a single point of failure. The two Network Switching Center management functions are geographically separated and high availability; the system uses a fault-tolerant IP network and a loop-protected (hot stand by) microwave subsystem.

Prior to the implementation of the new system, Bay County used an E911 system and a 12-channel analog, trunked SmartNet II 800MHz trunked radio system installed in 2000. This system consisted of four multiple towers and shelters, containing base stations and repeaters located at various sites throughout the county. Dispatch services are handled by various agencies. The new system expands the four existing available infrastructure sites and adds two sites via co-location and three new tower sites for the new P25 800 MHz digital simulcast trunked radio network: SITE NAME

ANTENNA HEIGHT

Bay County recognizes and has invested in a public safety radio

Existing RF Tower

SITE TYPE

9th St

Tx 240’ / Rx 255’

network that will provide coverage reliability and clearly under-

Existing RF Tower

FHP

Tx 425‘ / Rx 447’

stood audio quality delivered to first responders throughout their

Existing RF Tower

Bennett

Tx 450’ / Rx 464’

various working environments. (See coverage propagation map

Existing RF Tower

Beach Central

Tx 280’ / Rx 300’

on page 21)

Added RF Tower

EOC (co-location)

Tx 230’ / Rx 260’

The new radio system provides Bay County with a solution that

Added RF Tower

Steelfield (co-location)

Tx 257’ / Rx 305’

meets the needs of the county’s public safety personnel today

Built RF Tower

Beach East

Tx 186’ / Rx 190’

and well into the future. It is focused on coverage, reliability and

Built RF Tower

Beach West

Tx 240’ / Rx 260’

security. The approach maintains the current Bay County coverage

Built RF Tower

Mexico Beach

Tx 246’ / Rx 256’

footprint provided by the four original sites and enhances the coverage in critical areas with the addition of five strategically placed sites. These critical coverage areas were identified by current high traffic areas and projected growth identified in the Bay-Walton Sector Plan.

Daily interoperability between Bay County’s first responders and other adjacent municipal/county agencies is necessary. Interop-

20

BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

Bay County planned for several tiers of portable and mobile radio units for use by the various public safety and non-public safety agencies. All devices provide clear, reliable, and secure communications with proven interoperability. Public safety agencies have the highest-tiered devices capable of voice encryption, telephone interconnect calling, private call, GPS location, status messaging

T H E AC T I V E AG E N C I E S W H O A R E U S I N G T H E N E W S YS T E M A R E : AG E N C Y

D I S PAT C H

Bay County Fire Department

County

Bay County Sheriff’s Office

County

Callaway Fire Department

County

Callaway Public Works Lynn Haven Fire Department

Self County

Lynn Haven Police Department

Self

Mexico Beach Fire Department

County

NFBI Airport Panama City Beach Fire Rescue

Self County

Panama City Beach Police Department

Self

Panama City Beach Public Works

Self

Panama City Fire Department Panama City Police Department

County Self

Parker Fire Department

County

Springfield Fire Department

County

Springfield Police Department

Self

and other specialized features. All radios, regardless of tier, now perform reliably under the toughest imaginable conditions.

The new, state-of-the-art Symphony Dispatch Platform provides high-performance computing and graphics capability to support 24-hour, mission-critical dispatch operations. The completely solid-state design affords the high reliability needed for dependable communications in emergencies. The Symphony Dispatch Platform uses digital audio technology to provide end-to- end secure communications that are free from unauthorized access. With its advanced features, the Symphony Dispatch Platform allows dispatchers to communicate efficiently and clearly with first responders to improve response times. Symphony provides dispatchers complete control to adapt as their priorities and needs change.

What’s the future of Bay County Communications?

By Brian Hardin, Communications Division Chief, Bay County Emergency Services Texting is so prolific these days, many people prefer it to talking on the phone. But in an emergency, it is always best to call 911. What about emergency situations when talking is not possible? Soon, Bay County will have a solution via the Text-to-911 system, for use ONLY in emergencies where talking or calling is not possible.

Once the program is finalized and available, Bay County will announce details about how to use the new system. But until then, it’s important to stress that calling is always the best option.

Texting may not provide the same location accuracy that an actual call can, so if someone is in a situation that makes calling impossible, they must know their location to be able to relay it to the 911 professional being texted. Noting landmarks, mile markers, street names, or any other location information will be critical to the responding agencies.

Examples of situations that texting to 911 would be used:

›

Dispatch services are handled by various agencies. Each dispatcher position is equipped to selectively monitor and control any combination of talk groups, NPSPAC mutual aid, and interoperability radio channels. Additionally, dispatch consoles have the capability of establishing and/or disabling dispatcher- controlled RF/audio interoperability service links. Each dispatcher position has new CPUs, monitors, speakers, headsets, footswitches and associated equipment

›

D I S PAT C H R A D I O C O N S O L E L O C AT I O N S

NUMBER OF POSITIONS

Bay County EOC E911/Dispatch Center

14

Panama City Police Department

5

Panama City Beach Police Department

4

Lynn Haven Police Department North Florida Beaches International (NFBI) Airport

2 2 (re-using existing)

Most agencies on the system went live on July 2021, with only a few remaining for completion.

DO text 911 only for an emergency when calling 911 is not possible, such as if the caller is deaf, hearing, or speech impaired. Other examples include: if the caller is otherwise unable to speak because of a medical condition (such as a stroke), or if speaking would be unsafe, as in the case of abduction or home invasion, a nearby active shooter situation, or perhaps a domestic violence situation.

Do NOT text 911 for non-emergency situations.

Instead, dial the agency's listed seven-digit, non-emergency telephone number. A non-emergency incident is one where life and property is not in danger, such as theft of property or vandalism. Citizens should also use the non-emergency telephone number for intoxicated persons who are not disorderly or cars blocking the street or alley. Do not call 911 to report a power outage, rather, call your electrical utility instead. Additionally, 911 dispatchers cannot call a taxi for you; please call the cab company directly.

BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

21

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BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

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23

economic profile current labor statistics for bay county LABOR FORCE

EMPLOYED

UNEMPLOYED

UNEMPLOYED RATE

August 21'

94,545

90,653

3,892

4.1

September 21'

93,716

90,396

3,320

3.5

October 21'

93,395

90,041

3,354

3.6

August 20'

87,686

82,795

4,888

5.6

September 20'

89,050

84,845

4,205

4.7

October 20'

88,249

84,727

3,522

4

real estate sales

EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY HOMES PANAMA CITY MSA

FLORIDA

REALTOR SALES

MEDIAN PRICE

REALTOR SALES

MEDIAN PRICE

August 21'

456

$298,750

29,550

$354,000

September 21'

447

$305,000

28,302

$355,000

October 21'

436

$304,500

27,628

$358,950

August 20'

446

$250,000

29,495

$300,000

September 20'

422

$262,000

28,675

$300,000

October 20'

467

$265,000

29,659

$305,000

CONDO-TOWNHOMES SALES PANAMA CITY MSA

FLORIDA

REALTOR SALES

MEDIAN PRICE

REALTOR SALES

MEDIAN PRICE

August 21'

211

$382,800

12,550

$252,500

September 21'

193

$375,000

11,845

$255,000

October 21'

181

$355,000

11,433

$260,000

August 20'

219

$290,000

11,100

$217,500

September 20'

176

$304,000

11,290

$217,500

October 20'

180

$320,000

12,110

$221,000

bay county sales tax collections July 21'

24

Bay County Demographic Snapshot Bay County Population: 172,228 Median Age: 41.1 Labor Force: 93,395 Average Wage: $43,681 Households: 69,389 Household Income: $59,296 Per Capita Income: $31,274

bay county building permits

GROSS SALES

TAXABLE SALES

TAX COLLECTIONS

$1.012B

$662.8M

$41.0M

RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

July 21

90

0

August 21'

$1.055B

$717.7M

$42.0M

August 21

99

13

September 21'

$815.2M

$517.4M

$33.0M

Sept 21

92

1

July 20'

$916.8M

$569.5M

$33.5M

July 20

34

0

August 20'

$832.5M

$534.2M

$31.4M

August 20

147

8

September 20'

$670.5M

$407.2M

$24.7M

September 20

89

3

BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

August - October 2021 how bay county compares nationally...

BAY COUNTY, FLORIDA

UNITED STATES

Population, Census, April 1, 2020

175,216

331,449,281

Population, Census, April 1, 2010

168,852

308,745,538

0.10%

0.10%

Veterans, 2015-2019

21,135

18,230,322

Foreign born persons, percent, 2015-2019

6.20%

13.60%

104,768

139,684,244

POPULATION

Population, percent change - April 1, 2020 (estimates base) to July 1, 2021, (V2021) POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS

HOUSING Housing units, July 1, 2019, (V2019) Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2015-2019 Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019 Median selected monthly owner costs -with a mortgage, 2015-2019 Median selected monthly owner costs -without a mortgage, 2015-2019

65.10%

64.00%

$178,400

$217,500

$1,399

$1,595

$417

$500

Median gross rent, 2015-2019

$1,049

$1,062

Building permits, 2020

2,846

1,471,141

In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2015-2019

59.10%

63.00%

In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2015-2019

56.30%

58.30%

Total accommodation and food services sales, 2012 ($1,000)

565,165

708,138,598

Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2012 ($1,000)

1,034,384

2,040,441,203

Total manufacturers shipments, 2012 ($1,000)

1,473,839

5,696,729,632

Total retail sales, 2012 ($1,000)

2,728,227

4,219,821,871

$15,871

$13,443

ECONOMY

Total retail sales per capita, 2012 BUSINESSES Total employer establishments, 2019

4,673

7,959,103

Total employment, 2019

59,187

132,989,428

2,440,506

7,428,553,593

-5.50%

1.60%

Total annual payroll, 2019 ($1,000) Total employment, percent change, 2018-2019

northwest florida beaches international

bay county bed tax collections

airport passenger traffic

PANAMA CITY

PANAMA CITY BEACH

MEXICO BEACH

July 21

$412,241.09

$8,040,558.39

$98,374.79

2020

58,174

July 20

$174,031.56

$5,037,297.72

$28,193.03

2021

70,736

136.88%

59.62%

248.93%

% Change

21.59%

% Change

AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS (YEAR-TO-DATE)

TOTAL PASSENGER ENPLANEMENTS (YTD)

August 21

$197,913.21

$4,096,169.83

$50,775.59

343,273

August 20

$126,554.77

$2,589,697.22

$22,575.93

2021

699,514

% Change

56.39%

58.17%

124.91%

% Change

103.78%

2020

TOTAL PASSENGER DEPLANEMENTS (YTD)

September 21

$155,208.84

$2,744,050.93

$30,926.26

September 20

$132,515.74

$2,157,001.42

17.12%

27.22%

% Change

2020

346,142

$12,426.35

2021

697,899

148.88%

% Change

101.26%

BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

25

workforce connection Update from CareerSource Gulf Coast by: Kim Bodine, Executive Director, CareerSource Gulf Coast

A

s our local economy continues to emerge from the pandemic, attracting and retaining talent remains at the forefront of business strategy. Employers are

the traditional demographic and geographic area. If a position is conducive to remote work, your candidate pool can extend beyond geographic constraints and bring talent that will help your

learning how to adapt in a disruptive environment, and as a result,

business continue to be productive and prosperous. The pandemic

innovative strategies have emerged.

revolutionized work-from-home acceptance. Some employees

Florida’s Open for Business environment, along with the ‘Return to Work’ initiative, helped to drive job seekers back to work, resulting in a lower unemployment rate. Although we have seen substantial improvement in individuals re-entering the workforce, there are still positions that are taking longer to fill. There is no single reason for the tightness in the labor market but rather a combination or culmination of factors at play.

Job seekers tell us that their return to the workforce has been rocky, with childcare centers often closing for weeks at a time

have a strong desire to remain remote or participate in a hybrid in-office work arrangement. A recent Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) study showed that productivity increased during the pandemic when many employees worked remotely. There are also many types of software platforms and technology available to employers to ensure that remote employees are working and being productive during their working hours. This may be a low-cost option as many remote and hybrid employees already have the technology to perform effectively at home. Remote work may also help retain current employees and may reduce overhead costs due

due to exposure to a positive COVID staff member or child. Also,

to a reduction in utilities and space needed to house staff.

there is still concern about recurring outbreaks of new variants

Below are a few other options to think about for recruiting and retaining talent:

of COVID. Some individuals have made the decision to leave the workforce entirely and have found that they can survive on one income or savings. Although we know these are a few of the issues keeping some folks on the sidelines, we don’t believe it is a substantial number.

Even before the pandemic, the US labor force was shrinking, with

›

is a no-cost way to improve the employee experience.

›

other year, according to the Pew Research Center. The Centers for

has increased since the pandemic.

›

Consider populations that you may not have focused on be-

Disease Control report US birth rates have been declining steadily

fore such as those with disabilities, senior workers, or ex-of-

for more than a decade. In fact, the U.S. total fertility rate remains

fenders. Often, we find that employers shy away from hiring

far "below replacement" – which means there wouldn't be enough

first-time job seekers with little experience. Training programs

babies born for a generation to exactly replace itself (National

and peer mentoring may be necessary to engage this popula-

Center for Health Statistics).

tion as employers seek to leave no pool of potential workers

Finally, we also know that many of our Gen Xers and Millennials have different views about work than their baby boomer parents and grandparents. In many cases, the children of these baby

untapped.

›

selves by offering upskilling and reskilling opportunities for

parents, which may allow them to work less and retire earlier. They

incumbent workers. This type of training may be offered

value free time more and do not generally follow the work culture

in-house via on-the-job training or through traditional training

that their parents believed in, often opting for gig jobs or changing

programs offered online or in-person at our local post-sec-

jobs much more often in order to find a career with the flexibility and pay they desire.

So how do employers respond to this shift in the workforce? A change in strategies related to recruitment and retainment of talent is likely in order.First, broaden recruitment strategies beyond

BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

Don’t overlook existing staff who have an interest in career growth. Employers here are building the talent base them-

boomers will inherit or have already inherited the wealth of their

26

Offer employee assistance programs and programs to support employee wellbeing to combat burnout and fatigue that

approximately 2 million baby boomers retiring annually. More than 3 million baby boomers retired in 2020 alone, more than any

Consider allowing flexible scheduling when appropriate. This

ondary partners.

›

Above all, value people as an important resource and asset that cannot be taken for granted.

Derrick Malnar Community Bank Derrick Malnar is the Branch Operations Officer for Community Bank on PCB Parkway in Panama City Beach.

Originally from Lufkin, Texas. Previously working in the restaurant industry for over a decade, Derrick switched to banking in 2017. After high school, Derrick attended Southwestern Assembly of God University for his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Derrick serves as the CRA Coordinator for Community Bank as well ensuring service and donations towards the LMI community in Bay and surrounding counties. Community Bank also gives Derrick the opportunity to participate in various organizations around Bay County.

A large part of Derrick's time is spent attending many Bay County Chamber events as well as BYP Events. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for Beach Care Services. Derrick currently resides in Panama City with his fiancé Cassidy. His hobbies include spending time with friends and family, traveling and playing sports.

RECRUIT YOUR NEXT HIRE Connect with qualified candidates.

Job postings Applicant screenings Skills assessments

careersourcegc.com

BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

27

On November 19th, the Bay County Chamber of Commerce held the Annual First Responders Appreciation Luncheon presented by Tyndall Federal Credit Union. Local Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS and Communications were honored at FSU Panama City as the business community came together to show their thankfulness and gratitude.

During the event, Dr. Mario Pulido, Chief Medical Officer at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay introduced the keynote speaker, Kevin Guthrie, Director of the Florida Department of Emergency Management. Director Guthrie was appointed Chief of Staff to the Department by Governor Rick Scott in October 2018 and in 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed him as the Director of the Department where his primary focus is to coordinate efforts among all State agencies, counties and municipalities in dealing with natural and man-made disasters.

Firefighter Terry Parris, First Responder of the Year - Fire recipient Deputy Casey Melton, First Responder of the Year Law Enforcement recipient

A challenge coin was placed at the seat of everyone in attendance at the luncheon. Dr. John Holdnak, President of Gulf Coast State College and Brad Griffin, CEO of Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center, spoke about the history of the challenge coin, and as a way to show our gratefulness, presented all Bay County First Responders with a coin.

Gigi Kady, Emerald Coast Hospice presented three First Responders of the Year Awards. These awards were given to those who have went above and beyond their call of duty to better Bay County.

Awards were given in the categories of First Responder of the Year for Fire, Law Enforcement, and EMS. Congratulations to our award winners: Firefighter Terry Parris (Panama City Beach Fire & Rescue); EMS Jessica Lundeen, (Bay County Emergency Services) and Deputy Casey Melton, (Bay County Sheriff’s Office).

Congratulations to all the First Responders who were nominated for awards by their departments or family members.

The luncheon ended with a special video sponsored by Verizon. This video features local officials. To view this project, visit PanamaCity.org.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting this event: Presenting Sponsor: Tyndall Federal Credit Union Keynote Speaker Sponsor: Ascension Sacred Heart Bay 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 Video Sponsor: Verizon Gold Sponsor: WMBB and UF ShandCair

Jessica Lundeen, First Responder of the Year EMS recipient

Please join us in welcoming our 2022 Leadership. We commend these folks for giving of their time to the Chamber and the betterment of all of Bay County.

Term Expires Dec 2022 Mynta Harbison Los Antojitos Jessica Pfefferkorn Jessica’s Dream Destinations, LLC.

Officers Chairman of the Board

Board of Directors

Chairman Elect

Vice-Chairman

Kim Syfrett Medicare Choice Solutions Kevin Wattenbarger SVN/Southland Commercial Jeremy Bennett SmartBank Patrick Jones NAI Talcor

Garrett Anderson Anderson Construction Company

Kyle Shoots Systems Services & Engineering

Treasurer

MAC Chairman

Joe Holt Trustmark Bank

Board of Directors

Vice Chairman of Communications

Allen Armstrong EPS Corporation

Term Expires Dec 2023 Ken Brown Brown's Electrical Lisa Felix Full Sail Realty Justin Hall Panhandle Educators Federal Credit Union

Shane Boyett Gulf Power Company

Chris Moore General Dynamics IT

Patrick Jones NAI Talcor

Board of Directors

One Year Chair Appointments Tricia Berry Panhandle Pediatric Dentistry Chris Brooks Dermatology Specialists of Florida Chris Forehand Panhandle Engineering, Inc.

Board of Directors

Ex-Officio / Non-Voting Kim Bodine, CareerSource Gulf Coast; Dr. Randy Hanna, FSU-Panama City; Becca Hardin, EDA of Bay County; Dr. John Holdnak, Gulf Coast State College; Parker Mcclellan, NWFL Beaches Int’l Airport; Tom Newbauer, Bay Defense Alliance; Dan Rowe, Bay County TDC; Wayne Stubbs, Port Panama City; Jennifer Vigil, Panama City CDC; Col. Gregory Moseley, 325th FW, Tyndall Air Force Base; Lt. Gen. Kirk Pierce, CONR 1st Air Force, Tyndall Air Force Base; Capt. David N. Back, Naval Surface Warfare - Panama City; CDR Keith Foster, Naval Support Activity Panama City 30

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David Taylor David Taylor Construction Zach Sanchez Think Real Estate

Board of Directors

Term Expires Dec 2024 Shay Catrett Baysolutions Catherine McCloy The St. Joe Company John Pollman GAC Contractors, Inc. Dede Rowan Denise Hallmon Rowan & Associates Mohit Samtani Maharaja’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts Chris Stamps Stamps Family Dentistry

Bay County Chamber of Commerce

Hellett, Panama City Assistant Branch

Aimee Bright is now serving as the new

and Mortgage Lending during college

Manager, began working in Real Estate

VP of Governmental/Military Affairs

at the University of South Carolina.

at the Bay County Chamber of Com-

Hellett later moved into Insurance sales

merce. She comes to us after serving

followed by her latest transition into

as the Executive Director of Alignment

Banking. She is currently attending the

Bay County, a non-profit organization

American Banking Association’s Branch

focused on youth success. Aimee is a “seasoned” military spouse and has received numerous awards and recognition for her advocacy and dedication to military families. She serves as a volunteer Key Spouse Mentor at Tyndall AFB. Over the years, her husband was stationed at

new customer-service amenities such as more comfortable seating, phone-

Manager Program and pursuing her Finance degree with a minor in Business

charging outlets, and an oval upper-deck

Management from Capella University.

promenade that will serve as an outdoor

In addition, Hellett is currently on the

“walking track” for ferry riders. They

Board of Directors for the Panama City

have the latest in marine technology for

Symphony Orchestra.

energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. There are design features on

Vines, Panama City Universal Banker, has

the vessels that are part of the emergen-

lived in Florida most of her life. She spent

cy response plan with the city.

the first 16 years of her career in Retail,

The three Ollis Class double-ended 4,500 passenger ferries, are designed by Elliott Bay Design Group, with each ferry

working her way up from Sales Associate to Store Manager. Since 2018, Vines has worked as a Teller for well-known

featuring four ABS Electro-Motive Diesel

financial institutions. She is active in the

(EMD) L12ME23B @ 750 rpm EPA Tier

local community and enjoys supporting

4 marine propulsion engines with two

the local food banks.

engines powering one ABS Reintjes DUP 3000 P combining gear and one ABS 36 RV6 ECS/285-2 Voith Schneider Propeller at each end of the vessel. Power generation is provided by three ABS, EPA Tier 3 marine continuous duty diesel generator Tyndall AFB three times. After he retired

sets, Caterpillar C18 driving 480 V, 60 Hz,

from Active Duty in 2019, they decided

3-phase generators rated at 425 kW at

to stay in Bay County because they love

0.8 P.F. @ 1800 rpm.

the community, and it feels like home.

In her free time, Aimee enjoys spending time with friends & family, traveling, and dressing up her plastic lawn flamingos.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group Receives Boat of the Year Award Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) has been awarded “Boat of the Year” by WorkBoat for the MICHAEL H. OLLIS, a 4,500-passenger ferry the Panama City-based company built for the New York City Department of Transportation Staten Island Ferry Division. Eastern was

Progress Bank Welcomes Hellett and Vines to Panama City Office Florida Market Executive Dewayne Youngblood announced Courtney Hellett and Samantha Vines have joined the Bank as the initial team for the Panama City office.

The full-service office will be temporarily located at 107 W. 23rd Street, Suite W-4, in Panama City, Florida, and will open in November. The permanent office is currently under construction at 1805

recognized at an awards ceremony at

West 23rd Street in Panama City and is

the 41st International WorkBoat Show in

expected to open in 2023.

New Orleans, LA. The new ferries are larger, reflect modern technology, and operate more safely in extreme weather conditions.

They feature popular design elements

Have a submission for the Biz List?

Please email your news releases to communications@baychamberfl.com.

of past Staten Island Ferries, as well as

BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

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new members Air Methods 5500 S. Quebeck St., Ste. 300 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 (850) 333-1629

Harvesters Credit Union 400 S. Hwy. 29 South Cantonment, FL 32533 (850) 857-4328

T-Mobile Pier Park 15750 PCB Pkwy, Ste. 180 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 238-3076

Ameripro Construction Services 4990 Hwy. 77 Chipley, FL 32428 (850) 258-6796

Hensel Phelps Construction 715 S. Palafox St. Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 585-2921

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare 1300 Miccosukee Rd. Tallahassee, FL 32308 (850) 431-5675

Anglo-American Screens & Gutters 1328 Sowell Loop Bonifay, FL 32425 (850) 768-8548

Janet Burns Holliday & Associates PO Box 28108 Panama City Beach, FL 32411 (229) 255-1290

Time to Eat Gulf Coast 345 Orchard Wood Rd. Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 258-3484

Any Lab Test Now 330 W. 23rd St., Ste. H Panama City, FL 32405 (205) 401-0556 Beaches Construction LLC PO Box 18155 Panama City Beach, FL 32417 (850) 235-4811 Bikes, Bagels & Brew LLC 6530 Thomas Dr. Panama City Beach, FL 32417 (850) 739-1255 Burg Law Firm, PA 215 Harrison Ave. Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 851-0621 Coastal Heritage Realty 5 Miracle Strip Loop, Ste. 15 Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 919-0717 Cottages Christian Retreat LLC 22026 Front Beach Rd. Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 249-1436

DocSee Healthcare 3430 Hwy. 77, Ste. D Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 373-9959 Dunlap & Shipman 836 Jenks Ave. Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 919-3375 Florida State University Credit Union 2698 Hwy. 77 Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 788-1134 Fourteenth Judicial Circuit PO Box 1089 Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 747-5327

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from September 1 - November 30, 2021

BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

Jute & Palm 448-C Harrison Ave. Panama City, FL 32401 (229) 344-7554 Live the Life NWFL 1202 Virginia Ave. Lynn Haven, FL 32444 (850) 832-3291 M& Services LLC 904 Virginia Ave. Lynn Haven, FL 32444 (850) 876-3663 Mitch Boleware CPA LLC 939 Jenks Ave. Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 769-5266 Panhandle Sparkle Bins 1012 Kimberly Ln. Lynn Haven, FL 32444 (850) 774-2467 Progress Bank 1805 W. 23rd St. Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 837-1084 Quantify Solar 97 Oak Ave., Unit 16 Panama City, FL 32401 (850) 583-6770 Save the Closet 12202 Hutchison Blvd., #400 Panama City Beach, FL 32407 (850) 378-3769 Supreme Cutz Studio LLC 1601 Lisenby Ave., Unit A Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 362-8585 T-Mobile 641 N. Tyndall Pkwy., Ste. B Callaway, FL 32404 (850) 250-2258

TownePlace Suites by Marriott 16000 PCB Pkwy Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 233-2311

Upper Grand Design and Floral LLC 629 Lagoon Oaks Circle Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (850) 750-2266 Vital Care of Panama City 5620 Cherry St., Ste. A Panama City, FL 32404 (850) 388-4333 Walsh Development 16 Rikes Ave. Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (850) 460-4010

member anniversaries

from September 13 - December 1, 2021

5 years

20 years

70 years

Baskerville-Donovan, INC. Bay County Transportation Planning Beachy Beach Real Estate Deseret Cattle & Timber EPCI Grifols Biomat USA Hampton Inn & Suites Pier Park Jimmy Johns Nation's Best Family Health Care The Pearl Hotel

Disability Resource Center Life Management Center of NW FL St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club

Gulf Power Company Peoples First Insurance Services Van Horn Transfer & Storage

10 years

Century 21-Commander Realty, Inc. PC Development Group LLC.

LockMasters USA Stanley Peacock P.A.

40 years

25 years Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative Nations Real Estate

35 years

Moonspinner Condo Association

15 years Absolute Business Solutions Sheltair Tractor & Equipment Co., Inc.

45 years The Storage Inn

LOOK FOR THE SEAL. C

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CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

®

bbb.org BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

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PA I D A DVE R T I S E M E N T

Intellichoice Builders, LLC – Building Smarter starts here!

As one of the premier builders

in Bay, Walton and Gulf Counties, Intellichoice Builders brings a fresh level of professionalism and quality to all the projects that they work on.

The staff at Intellichoice brings a wealth of knowledge and level of service that is above and beyond the norm. They are state licensed (CGC 1526169) and perform all types of construction: design/build, new construction, remodel, or additions, on both commercial and residential projects.

With over 20 years of experience, Robert Yanchis, one of the owners, says, “I’ve worked all over the State of Florida, in numerous states throughout the Southeast and even in the Caribbean, but this area of Florida is unique when it comes to contracting.” Intellichoice Builders prides itself on partnering with experienced subcontractors/ tradesman and working with them to develop relationships for long term success. “By working with the same tradesmen repeatedly, you get to understand how they work, and they understand our expectations and procedures which ultimately makes the projects flow more smoothly,” said Juan Gonzalez, Owner.

The last few years have been difficult for the local community. Bay and Gulf counties were starting to recover from the devastation of hurricane Michael and here came 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic which has brought further devastating our community. Intellichoice Builders and their staff have instituted numerous additional safety procedures. Intellichoice will continue working within the community as long as safely possible. Intellichoice knows how important it is for people that have been displaced from their community and homes for the last few years to get back to normality.

Intellichoice Builders are respecting orders from authorities and practicing safety as much as physically possible.

Intellichoice Builders strives to provide a safe work environment for both their clients, construction partners and their workers. The project management software that Intellichoice uses is internet based and links the client to the project without needing to have in person interactions.

They can record finish selections, change orders, RFI’s, etc.

Intellichoice was already utilizing this software to work with clients from other states, now they use it to assist in limiting interactions due to the current health situation. Other strategies employed during these times include practicing social distancing by reducing the number of workers to jobsites or at least specific areas; avoiding box stores like Home Depot or Lowes and coordinating phone sales and deliveries instead; education of their staff as information is made available and encouraging good hygiene practices as always.

Intellichoice’s goal is to keep their clients, construction partners and staff safe and healthy.

Intellichoice Builders are constantly taking on new clients – Please contact them for your next project:

Intellichoice Builders, LLC 1818 Michigan Ave. Panama City, FL 32405

(850) 427-2727

Intellichoicebuilders.com

The Leading Provider of Road, Sitework & Building Construction in Northwest Florida

Quality Projects Since 1958

gaccontractors.com

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Ta ke y o u r b u s i n e s s to t h e n ex t l eve l w i t h t h e B a y C o u nt y Chamber!

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Continuing Education New Par tnerships Networking Adver tising Referrals Events And more!

Le a r n m o re at

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BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022

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2022 ANNUAL DINNER THE BAY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESENTS:

& AWARDS CEREMONY FEATURING

FOOD AWARDS SILENT AUCTION COCKTAILS & SILENT AUCTION 5:00 PM I PROGRAM 6:00 PM EDGEWATER BEACH AND GOLF RESORT PURCHASE TICKETS AT PANAMACITY.ORG

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out&about

2 1

Building a Better Bay

3

Each department from the Bay County Chamber of Commerce highlighted significant events in the last few months.

1. Community leaders from across Bay County meet to discuss priorities for Bay County during the Chamber’s annual Leadership Retreat.

2. Bay County Chamber hosts the grand opening of their new mural, creating a new place for residents and visitors to take advantage of to show their Panama City Pride.

3. The Junior Leadership Bay Class of 2022 learns about Bay Sheriff’s Office Operations and their commitment to keep Bay County residents safe.

4. Bay County Chamber donates meals to local healthcare providers thanks to donations made by local Chamber Members.

5. Hundreds of Bay County residents were in attendance as the Bay County Chamber held their annual Block Party and Bed Races event.

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