As business heats up, so does the weather. Life is good in Bay County and we have a lot to be thankful for.
day when I hear that 7 a.m. whistle, I think of him and the mem-
We’re positioned for another record-breaking tourism season and
ories that mill has given my family and me. Whew, okay, that just
our diversified economy continues to flourish with other new
made me emotional.
business and industry coming to Bay County. In the same vein of the need for employees, so is the need for a stronger education system. At the beginning of the year, the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee formed an Education Task Force to take a look at the issue as identified in our 2022 Business Plan. A mission statement was developed that outlines the concerns and opportunities of the issue- “Quality Education is important to the success of any community. Bay County business leaders must take the lead in supporting and holding our district leadership accountable to higher standards and demand excellence in our public-school system. A top-rated school district is vital in the recruitment of new workforce, ensuring the future of our military installations and for existing business to thrive.” Although there’s never a good time for bad news, as employers continue to look for new employees, the announcement of the closure of WestRock will assist other employers in need of workers in Bay County. In this issue of Bay Biz, you’ll find a story that is a tribute to the role “The Mill” has played in building a better Bay County. Your Chamber team jumped into action with the coordination of a virtual meeting among our area manufacturers and their HR departments just days after the announcement of the closure. WestRock HR was able to answer questions from the group as the affected employees are prime candidates for hundreds of open positions within those manufacturing plants.
With that, this summer the Bay County Chamber has moved forward with the roll-out of its plan to gain business leader involvement in mentoring, on the school board and at the superintendent level. It’s time for us to build an education system of the future. Our Military Affairs Committee (MAC) remains active. A reception was held to welcome the F35 Activation Team to Tyndall as the rebuild continues and preparations are being made for the arrival of the first F-35 aircraft in fall 2023. Speaking of Tyndall, MAC members were treated to a tour of the base where members could see first-hand the massive rebuild taking place. The MAC had the same opportunity at NSA PC, where members were brought up to speed on its role in the defense of our country and the research
That meeting included a briefing by CareerSource Executive Direc-
and development transpiring right here in Bay County.
tor Kim Bodine as to the benefits available not only to employees, but the potential employers, who could be eligible for training
As I said in the beginning, life is good in Bay County and we look
dollars and more. Becca Hardin, President of the Bay EDA was also
forward to working to build it even better. We thank all of our
in attendance and emphasized the opportunities.
investors in supporting the role of this great organization.
No matter what circle you’re in, there is usually at least one person touched by the impact of The Mill. I, for one, am a Paper Mill Baby. My father dedicated 43 years to that facility and is what my family was built on. Although I was very young in the beginning years of his tenure there, I do remember when he was on the graveyard shift when mama and I would ride out (it seemed like in the middle of the night) and take him dinner sitting in the parking lot. To this
4
BAY BIZ / SUMMER 2022
Carol A. Roberts President/CEO
