Bay Biz Vol 7/ Issue 2 (April - June) by Bay County Chamber of Commerce

april - june 2017 departments 6

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE Enterprise Florida, Inc. and VISIT FLORIDA Threatened by Legislature

14 EDUCATION

Chromebooks Advance Student Education

16 HEALTH

Meet Mako, Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center’s Newest Robot

DEFENSE INTEL U.S. Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter Program

ECONOMIC PROFILE

24 TECHNOLOGY Will My Social Media Accounts Prevent Me From Getting A Job? 28

WORKFORCE CONNECTION

BIZ LIST

14 8

34 CHAMBER EVENTS CALENDAR 36

NEW MEMBERS

MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

OUT & ABOUT

features 10

COVER STORY Deseret Cattle & Timber: Here for the Long-Term

PUBLISHER Carol Roberts EXECUTIVE EDITOR Taylor Smith CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Michael Archibald Kim Bodine Brittany Cole Brandi DeRuiter Scarlett Phaneuf Carol Roberts Taylor Smith LAYOUT & DESIGN

getgorgeo.us | 850-888-8GRG COVER New cattle arrives to Deseret pastures in Bay County CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Deseret Cattle and Timber Ranch, Sean Brosnan, Brittany Cole, Taylor Smith, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Sarina DiCalogero, Panama City Beach TDC, and Bay District Schools BAY BIZ MAGAZINE c/o Bay County Chamber of Commerce 235 W. 5th Street Panama City, FL 32401 850.785.5206 information@baychamberfl.com www.panamacity.org facebook.com/baychamberfl twitter.com/baychamberfl

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The Bay Biz welcomes story ideas from its readers. Email to taylor@baychamberfl.com. To request additional copies, contact 850.785.5206.

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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 taylor@baychamberfl.com.

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Things are crazy right now in Tallahassee as session began on March 7th. We’ve worn out Hwy 20 traveling over delivering our Legislative Agenda and during committee weeks.

I don’t think it is a secret but there is a lot of friction between our Governor and the House of Representatives. There are two crucial bills headed to the House floor: HB 7005 and HB 9. The bills relate to the elimination of Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA and will both have a huge, negative impact on the entire state.. Originally, both of the agencies were in 7005 but after much discussion, committee hearings, public testimony and plea’s, VISIT FLORIDA was separated and now HB 9. Not that (in my opinion) it is any better off, but the bill does not totally eliminate VISIT FLORIDA. The public does not understand the impact these two agencies have on our way of life. These agencies create jobs for our citizens. Part of the conversation in Tallahassee is the short fall of the budget, but in this action to eliminate just these two agencies, you’re talking about the only ones that bring new dollars to our state/communities. What? I agree with transparency and reorganizing/reducing waste, but to simply quit marketing ourselves to business/industry and to visitors is just going to make that budget short fall much greater. There are numerous other bills of concern and please watch for our emailed “Action Alerts” to help us send a strong message to our elected officials when needed. Another hurdle we are working to overcome is the threat of losing our Panama City Federal Court House. Due to the fact the building is in terrible condition, Chief Judge Casey Rodgers has made it known there is no intention to renew the lease that expires in December of 2018. We have a bat-

tle on our hands. The Chamber was made aware of this issue back in December and saw splintered efforts being made. We worked to harness the knowledge that was out there and have since formed a task force to address the issue. Doug Smith of Burke, Blue agreed to Chair and Waylon Thompson is serving as Co-Chairman. There are many layers to the issue and the three of us are working to gather as much data as possible. Doug has been the point person with the Chief Judge; Waylon is communicating and working with the General Services Administration (GSA) and I’ve taken on the responsibility to serve as the liaison with our elected officials as it is certain this will only be resolved with the involvement of Congressman Dunn, Senator Nelson and Senator Rubio. We ask individuals with information that you feel will be useful to please reach out to us as soon as possible. In this issue of Bay Biz and on the cover, you’ll find an enlightening story on our region’s largest landowner, Deseret Cattle & Timber. The company is changing the landscape and I encourage you to learn more about this exciting change. We have two new sections, which focus on health and technology improvements in Bay County. These, of course, are in addition to the content you have grown to love including Political Perspective, Education, Economic Profile, and more. Thank you to our members for helping us Build A Better Bay County! We encourage you to do business with our members; Visit panamacity.org for a complete list. Remember, there is strength in numbers, so if you’re not a Chamber Member, I encourage you to learn more about our award winning organization and join our team.

Carol Roberts President/CEO

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political perspective Enterprise Florida, Inc. and VISIT FLORIDA Threatened by Legislature by: Brandi DeRuiter, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Bay County Chamber of Commerce

“An act relating to economic programs,” originating through House Bill 7005 and “Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation,” removed from 7005 and re-introduced through House Bill 9, proposed to largely eliminate two major entities which shape Florida’s sunny landscape; Enterprise FL, Inc. and VISIT FLORIDA. These job creation efforts, though not commonly known, have been active through public-private partnerships for over 20 years and have been the driving force in job creation in both Florida’s Number 1 industry, Tourism, and for the industries that they trying to attract, grow and diversify. Many jobs have roots stemming from the accomplishments of these two major entities and more than 30 programs including Urban High-Crime Area Job Tax Credit Program, Small Business

Development Center Network, brownfield redevelopment bonus refund, Office of Film and Entertainment, and quick response training programs are slated for elimination."

Enterprise Florida Inc. (EFI)

Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is Florida’s economic development organization whose mission is to expand and diversify the state’s economy through job creation for Florida’s 20 million residents. EFI promotes Florida’s competitive costs, talent, and connectivity to the decision makers and site selectors, nationally and internationally, encouraging them to relocate or expand in Florida. EFI works closely with local economic development organizations around the state to attract national and international

companies from a wide range of industry sectors. Aviation and aerospace, life sciences, information technology, defense and homeland security, clean energy, financial and professional services, and manufacturing sectors have produced a significant number of new jobs and capital investments from economic development efforts. EFI also supports over 60,000 exporting businesses with trade and export development, helps support small and minority businesses through capital programs, and works with CareerSource Florida to respond quickly to the needs of businesses.

VISIT FLORIDA

2016 was another banner year for tourism in Florida thanks to VISIT FLORIDA, the state's official tourism marketing corporation. Last year, they helped 112.8 million out-of-state and international visitors plan their trips to Florida. While the number of visitors is important, how long they stay and how much they spend is on the rise as well. Out-of-state visitors spent $108.8 billion in 2015, helping to support 1.4 million Floridian jobs; essentially creating 1 in 6 of our non-farm jobs. Visitors are also paying taxes, and for every tax dollar the state invests in VISIT FLORIDA, $3.20 is returned in taxes from visitors. This supports infrastructure growth and keeps Florida citizens away from other forms of taxation. The Florida Legislature has historically appropriated tax dollars to VISIT FLORIDA on an annual basis. Through this public-private partnership, they are required to match those public funds with private funds dollar-for-dollar by the tourism industry which invests through advertising campaigns, promotional programs and other cooperative marketing opportunities. VISIT FLORIDA’s staff work closely with travel agents, tour operators, as well as meeting and event planners. They also operate Florida’s official welcome centers and facilitate media missions to top global visitor markets and trade and consumer shows. International presence is important to plant Florida firmly on the global destination map and maintain accurate and positive global perceptions. VISIT FLORIDA’s strong and consistent messaging has been successful in keeping visitor numbers up amid instances that could otherwise tarnish Florida’s attractiveness leading to a statewide decline. Their messaging has kept tourism going through the successions of tropical storms, hurricanes, floods, Zika virus, and other tragedies that have garnered national and international news coverage.

What’s Next?

There are several different paths that this issue could take. In order for these bills to eliminate EFI and gut VISIT FLORIDA they must be passed by both the House and the Senate, and then approved by the Governor. Both bills passed the Florida House of Representatives on March 10th and were sent to the Senate for review. The Senate, who does not have a companion bill in place, may or may not choose to amend one

of their similar bills to tick closer to the language of that in the House’s bills. If the Senate chooses to add House bill language through an amendment, and if the amended bill passes the Senate, it would be certain to face Governor veto. Vetoes can be overridden by two-thirds majority vote from both houses. If the Senate does not pass a similar or identical bill, the House has the responsibility to create the State’s budget, which would be unlikely to include funding for Enterprise FL, Inc. and VISIT FLORIDA. Session ends on May 5th. Please continue reaching out to our elected officials on the importance of these programs. Senator Gainer gainer.george.web@flsentate.gov Representative Trumbull jay.trumbull@myfloridahouse.gov Representative Drake brad.drake@myfloridahouse.gov

*VISIT FLORIDA data from office of economic and demographic research and Economic Impact of Out-of-State Visitor Spending in Florida.

The Bay County Chamber supports state funding of Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI), incentives for high-wage job creation and capital investment; and the state’s official tourism marketing corporation, VISIT FLORIDA.

June 5-7, 2017 • Made Possible by Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative

If you’re a K-12 educator interested in teaching your students more about energy, EMPOWER is for you. This is an exciting opportunity to learn about electric generation and distribution and fun ways to integrate it into your classroom. Benefits include: • Continuing Education Credits for each participant who completes the workshop. • The workshop registration, event lodging at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa and meals at the event are included. Mileage to and from the workshop will also be reimbursed. • Attendees receive a NEED Science of Energy Kit ($300 value), a class-set of NEED Energy Infobooks (at grade level), access to all NEED Curriculum Guides and supplemental resources. • Network with fellow educators. Space is limited, so apply online at NEED.org/empower by April 30.

HERE FOR THE LONG-TERM BY MICHAEL ARCHIBALD, GENERAL MANAGER Deseret Cattle & Timber has been part of the Bay County business community since March 2014, but our roots in Florida go back more than sixty years. We’ve been ranching in east-central Florida since 1950 where we’ve demonstrated our commitment to wise land stewardship, prudent resource management and long-term sustainability. We look to the long term in everything we do, so we’re sinking our roots deep here in north Florida where we will be part of Bay County and the surrounding area for generations to come.

recently took delivery of our first herd of approximately 800 cattle transported from our ranch in central Florida. Some newly developed pasture areas can be seen along Highway 22 in southeast Bay County. Drawing on our own company experience, combined with the scientific expertise and knowledge of local academics and consultants, we’re defining a land strategy that maximizes productive potential while also protecting the environment and wildlife habitat.

Our operation is a division of AgReserves, Inc. When St. Joe Company announced it was selling much of its timberland to AgReserves, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam pointed to the transaction as “a meaningful reminder of the economic and ecological value of agriculture in our state.” He observed that our company would build on St. Joe’s commitment to conserve “the landscape of Florida’s Panhandle while continuing to support the local economy.” Commissioner Putnam also said, “I'm proud that a global agriculture company, like AgReserves, Inc., continues to believe in Florida as the right place to grow their business.” At Deseret Cattle & Timber (Deseret), we are proud to be building on Florida’s rich tradition of ranching and agriculture. For us, producing food is a noble profession. We help feed the world. We love the land and strive to be good citizens in the communities where we live and work. Just as our business is growing here in north Florida, we are raising our children and nurturing our families here as well. We are supporting the Bay County economy by hiring locally and engaging local contractors. Quality employees are one of the critical factors to our success. It is a point of pride for us that we’ve been able to hire top talent to fill key positions and that the majority of our employees has come from local communities. We’re grateful that strong word-of-mouth and positive employee recommendations keep qualified candidates ready to join Deseret’s team as opportunities arise. As a company, we’re committed to employee development and making sure our employees have the right tools to do their jobs in a workplace atmosphere that fosters dedication and team work. We strive to treat our contractors with the same respect we show our employees. Our employees work hand-in-hand with quality contractors who help us harvest timber, plant pine trees, maintain roads and ditches, develop pasture and build fences. Over the past three years, in consultation with local governments and state agencies, we’ve developed a land management plan that includes delivering on long-term timber contracts while also re-introducing cattle to north Florida. We

Well managed agricultural land benefits wildlife quality and diversity as demonstrated by our experience in central Florida. By implementing proven wildlife best management practices here in north Florida, we’re confident native species will continue to thrive. We have two full-time biologists on staff who work closely with state and county agencies to ensure the ongoing health of birds, wildlife and their habitat. Wise management practices ensure that hunt clubs and their members who hold conservation leases on our land will continue to enjoy hunting, camping and other outdoor activities. Deseret is a tax-paying affiliate of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To learn more about why the church invests in agriculture and about established conservation practices at our central Florida ranch, please visit http://www. mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-ranch-balances-agriculture-conservation-central-florida. You can find additional information about our central Florida ranch at http://www. deseretranchflorida.com/ With a long-term outlook, a passion for agriculture, a commitment to the local economy and proven abilities in sustainable land management, Deseret Cattle & Timber is excited about our future in north Florida, a great place to live, work and raise our families. We appreciate the friendships we are building in Bay County and nearby areas. Thanks for making us feel so welcome.

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education Chromebooks Advance Student Education by: Taylor Smith, Vice President of Communications, Bay County Chamber of Commerce

echnology of the 21st century is truly making an impact on the way people interact with one another on a daily basis. While some frown upon the integration of technology into the lives of individuals on a regular basis, for most, it is proving to be beneficial. This is seen first hand by Bay District middle school students. Thanks to the half-cent sales tax passed by citizens in 2010 by citizens to benefit public schools, students and teachers began receiving Chromebooks this year. this is changing the way lessons are taught, both in and out of the classroom. The new Chromebooks are part of the district’s new multi-million dollar “Go Connect 1:1 Middle School Initiative,” which aims to put a Chromebook in every middle school student’s hands

over the next several years. Jinks Middle School is currently piloting the program with Surfside Middle School. So far, 1,350 devices have been distributed in those schools. “It’s going to change the way teachers teach, and the way students learn,” School Board Chairman Steve Moss said. “And, how the two communicate with each other.” The program is designed so the devices are integrated into the daily lessons in the classroom, with students receiving their own devices last January. The lightweight laptops run using a Google Operating System and are entirely cloudbased. The devices are able to be used offline at home if no WiFi is available, and syncs up when the student returns to

school. They have specific hardware/software configurations which prevent viruses. They also come loaded with the same filters installed on every Bay District computer and can be tracked if the device is lost.

The Chromebooks will help students meet the new, technology-based Florida Standards, while also leveling the playing field between students who have devices at home and those who don't. Because the students are able to take the computers home with them, they are able to have more access to their work, thus enabling them to work more at their own pace. "We would like for all students to have equitable access to digital content, while at school and beyond the school day. The 1:1 initiative helps to level the playing field for all students," said Tamra Hogue, Supervisor in Instructional Technology and Media Services. Suzanne McDonald, who teaches ASPIRE math and history classes has been using Chromebooks with her students for the last three years, but the devices have only been used in the classroom and have not been allowed to go home with the students. Cloud-based programs like Google Docs and Google Slides also streamline the communication process with students, as she can check in on their work and offer input almost instantly.

"My Chromebook is awesome. It helps me to work at my own pace, and I don't have to constantly worry about having a ton of paper." said student Molly Reeder. The cost of Phase 1 of the initiative, covering Surfside and Jinks, is estimated to be about $476,000, which is covered through the district's half-cent sales tax and some state funds earmarked for digital instructions.

health Meet Mako, Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center’s Newest Robot by: Brittany Cole, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center

obots are the future of surgical procedures, and in March, Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center welcomed their newest robot. The hospital is the only facility in Northwest Florida to offer patients the option of having joint replacements performed by a surgeon using the Mako™. This new technology is transforming the way joint replacements are performed by allowing healthcare providers to create personalized surgical plans for patients. Mako™ Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology provides a personalized

surgical plan based on the patient’s anatomy. First, a CT scan of the diseased hip or knee joint is taken. This CT scan is uploaded into the Mako™ System software, where a 3D model of the hip or knee is created. This 3D model will be used to pre-plan and assist the surgeon in performing a partial knee replacement or total hip replacement. In the operating room, the surgeon follows the personalized surgical plan while preparing the bone for the implant. The

Mako™ system guides the surgeon within the pre-defined area and helps prevent the surgeon from moving outside the planned boundaries. This helps to provide more accurate placement and alignment of the implant. “Mako™ is changing the way joint replacement surgeries are performed. Using a virtual 3D model, the Mako™ System allows surgeons to personalize each patient’s surgical plan preoperatively, so there is a clear plan for how the surgeon will position the implant before entering the operating room. During surgery, the surgeon can validate that plan and make any necessary adjustments, while the robotic-arm then allows the surgeon to execute that plan with a high level of accuracy and predictability. The combination of these three features of the system has the potential to lead to better outcomes and higher patient satisfaction.” Said Brad Griffin, CEO of Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center.

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defense intel U.S. Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter Program by: Brandi DeRuiter, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Bay County Chamber of Commerce

anama City’s own and locally owned, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc., was selected last September to complete the detail design of a new offshore patrol cutter for the United States Coast Guard. In all, 25 vessels are planned. Construction is slated to begin in 2018, with delivery of the lead vessel planned for 2021. These new ships will be 360 feet in length and will replace the 270 foot and 210 foot medium endurance cutters currently in use. At 25 to 50 years old, these cutters are not only becoming increasingly expensive to maintain and operate, but are becoming technologically obsolete. The new offshore patrol cutters (OPC) will feature state of the art technology to meet the Coast Guard’s changing national and international mari-

time security needs. The OPC’s are designed to provide a capability bridge between close range and long range cutters. The 418-foot national security cutter patrols the open ocean in the most demanding of maritime environments, and the 154-foot fast response cutters serve closer to shore. The OPC is designed to meet the service’s long-term need for cutters capable of deploying independently or as part of task groups to conduct law enforcement, drug and migrant interdiction, search and rescue, and other homeland security and defense operations. In addition to being able to deploy independently or as part of a task group, they will be capable of serving as a mobile command and control platform for surge operations such as hurricane response, mass migration inci-

dents, and other disasters. The cutters will also support Artic objectives by helping regulate and protect emerging commerce and exploration in Alaska.

OPC features designed to execute USCG missions The Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter Program was designed to replace the aging vessels with cutters capable of increased range and endurance, improved electronics and larger flight decks to include a hangar capable of accommodating one MH-60 or MH-65 helicopter plus one unmanned aerial system. This cutter will also be capable of accommodating aircraft and small boat operations in all weather and will operate independently of refueling ships and sea or shore bases. Additionally, the OPC will also feature weapons systems with capabilities similar to the national security cutter, and improved command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) equipment. The C4ISR equipment suite will be compliant with federal information security standards, and be interoperable with the National Security Cutter systems. Eastern Shipbuilding Group awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman for the design of C4ISR capability and machinery control systems for the OPC program. Under the contract, Northrop Grumman will design bridge systems, navigation and combat data distribution systems, command and control consoles, ship-wide computer network systems, and machinery and propulsion control systems.

Notional Characteristics Number Planned: 25 Length: 360 feet Beam: 54 feet Draft: 17 feet Sustained Speed: 22.5 knots Range: 10,200 nautical miles at 14 knots Endurance: 60-days Propulsion: Two 16V marine diesel engines Prop type: Two five-blade, controllable-pitch propellers Boats: Three Over the Horizon cutter boats (CB-OTH) Hangar: One MH-60 or MH-65 helicopter plus one unmanned aerial system

The Coast Guard established the Project Residence Office (PRO) for the OPC acquisition at its headquarters in Washington D.C. in July 2016. The OPC PRO was established to lay the groundwork for the new unit to help ensure efficient transition of acquisition personnel to shipyard facilities. The OPC PRO, staffed with Coast Guard personnel, has recently relocated to the contractor’s Nelson shipyard (Eastern Shipbuilding Group) in Panama City to oversee construction and provide management of contract execution for the OPC acquisition.

“The OPC will be the backbone of the Coast Guard offshore presence and the manifestation of our at-sea authorities. It is essential to stopping smugglers at sea, for interdicting undocumented migrants, rescuing mariners, enforcing fisheries laws, responding to disasters and protecting our ports.” – Admiral Paul Zukunft, Commandant of the Coast Guard

economic profile

EDA INSIGHTS

an update from Bay EDA by Becca Hardin, President

current labor statistics for Bay County

LABOR FORCE

EMPLOYED

UNEMPLOYED

UNEMPLOYED RATE

DEC 16

85,421

80,937

4,484

5.2%

JAN 17

86,573

81,394

5,179

6.0%

FEB 17

DEC 15

84,898

80,522

4,376

5.2%

JAN 16

85,329

80,535

4,794

5.6%

FEB 16

real estate sales EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

REALTOR SALES

MEDIAN PRICE

REALTOR SALES

MEDIAN PRICE

NOV 16

235

$195,000

19,763

$220,000

DEC 16

281

$190,200

22,332

$226,000

JAN 17

216

$183,500

16,779

$220,000

NOV 15

223

$177,000

17,523

$199,900

DEC 15

242

$186,500

22,157

$197,000

JAN 16

188

$178,500

15,948

$199,990

CONDO - TOWNHOME SALES NOV 16

100

$234,000

7,794

$162,000

DEC 16

108

$238,081

8,673

$166,900

JAN 17

$210,000

7,209

$161,000

NOV 15

114

$227,750

7,487

$150,000

DEC 15

113

$238,00

9,153

$155,000

JAN 16

$212,000

6,791

$151,000

Bay County building permits

RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

DEC 16

JAN 17

FEB 17

DEC 15

JAN 16

FEB 16

Bay County sales tax collections

GROSS SALES

TAXABLE SALES

TAX COLLECTIONS

JAN 17

$536,275,924

$306,215,734

$18,282,318

DEC 16

$479,383,173

$260,733,151

$16,153,139

NOV 16

$668,770,285

$302,613,466

$18,586,317

JAN 16

$599,906,969

$283,836,643

$17,068,703

DEC 15

$510,109,698

$242,844,986

$15,404,846

NOV 15

$670,820,319

$291,236,921

$17,581,500

The St. Joe Company and the Bay EDA Welcome GKN Aerospace to Venture Crossings Enterprise Centre Recently, The ST. Joe Company and Bay EDA announced one of the world’s largest independent first tier suppliers to the international aviation, will expand its operations by locating a new manufacturing facility in Venture Crossings® Enterprise Centre in Bay County, Florida. GKN Aerospace intends to lease this new manufacturing facility, which will be developed and owned by a subsidiary of St. Joe and designed to meet GKN Aerospace’s specific requirements. With this new facility, GKN Aerospace plans to make a capital investment of approximately $50 million and create 170 new jobs for highly skilled employees. This project was made possible through the combined efforts of Enterprise Florida, the University of West Florida, Bay County Economic Development Alliance (“Bay County EDA”), the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Bay County Board of County Commissioners, CareerSource Florida, CareerSource Gulf Coast and Gulf Coast State College. Jorge Gonzalez, The St. Joe Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased that a company of the stature of GKN Aerospace will be bringing high quality aerospace manufacturing jobs to Bay County. Manufacturing has a high economic multiplier effect so we remain committed to working with the Bay County EDA and other partners to continue to attract quality job creators.” Mike Grunza, CEO of GKN Aerospace’s Aerostructures North America business said, “This investment emphasizes our commitment to manufacturing in North America, as this new worldclass facility will create jobs and strengthen our competitive position in the US aerospace market for the future. The excellent support we have received from Bay County EDA, Governor Rick Scott’s office, higher educational partners and The St. Joe Company made Florida an ideal location for GKN.”

January - March 2017 Demographic Snapshot Bay County Population: 181,635 Median Age: 38.57 Labor Force: 87,311 Average Wage: $35,948

Households: 67,922 Household Income: $49,545 Per Capita Income: $25,246

Bay County bed tax collections

PANAMA CITY BEACH

MEXICO BEACH

PANAMA CITY

NOV 16

$523,191

$73,327

$21,212

NOV 15

$480,391

$66,060

$17,389

% CHANGE

8.91

11.00

21.99

DEC 16

$393,263

$65,657

$19,481

DEC 15

$354,270

$62,080

$16,033

% CHANGE

11.01

5.76

21.51

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport passenger traffic

TOTAL PASSENGERS

COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS

JAN 17

45,712

844

DEC 16

52,956

923

NOV 16

64,473

1,057

JAN 16

44,612

994

DEC 15

51,471

1,075

NOV 15

61,478

1,144

National, state & local unemployment rate (Jan 1990 to Jan 2016)

16.0

14.0

12.0

10.0

8.0

Florida US Bay County

6.0

4.0

2.0

Jan-90

Jan-91

Jan-92

Jan-93

Jan-94

Jan-95

Jan-96

Jan-97

Jan-98

Jan-99

Jan-00

Jan-01

Jan-02

Jan-03

Jan-04

Jan-05

Jan-06

Jan-07

Jan-08

Jan-09

Jan-10

Jan-11

Jan-12

Jan-13

Jan-14

Jan-15

Jan-16

0.0

technology Will My Social Media Accounts Prevent Me From Getting A Job? by: Taylor Smith, Vice President of Communications, Bay County Chamber of Commerce

ers are now looking at social media accounts before they call prospects for an interview to ensure it is someone they even want to consider. This is your first impression to the employer whether you are aware of it or not.

In today’s workplace, employers are turning to social media accounts to determine whether or not they want to hire a candidate for a position. “It’s not just about looking the part when you are in the office, you have to look the part when you are off the clock as well,” said Carol Roberts, President and CEO of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce. Employ-

“As the popular saying goes, ‘you never get a second chance to make a first impression,’ Kim Bodine the Executive Director of CareerSource Gulf Coast, said. “It may sound cliche, but it is absolutely true. That [quote] once meant that when you first met someone, you had better be prepared to impress them, particularly if you wanted them to hire you.” Employers need to know that the people that work for them are able to represent the organization in a positive and professional

inding the perfect job can be stressful. But what can be more stressful is finding the job you want and applying, but never hearing back from the company you applied at. Having an effective resume is crucial to landing the job you want, but employers look at more than just what is presented at your initial nerve-wracking interview.

manner at all times. This is why hiring managers look at the content of posts by prospects on social media to ensure their company will not be negatively impacted. In recruiting platform Jobvite’s 2016 edition of its annual Social Recruiting Survey data show 93 percent of hiring managers review a candidate’s social profiles before making a hiring decision. This report shows 47 percent of employers view posts of alcohol consumption negatively on social media. Also considered negative by Jobvite are typos in posts by 72 percent of employers and marijuana by 71 percent of employers. “It can and does keep many people from ever getting a chance to sell themselves in person,” Bodine said. That may not seem fair, but it's a fact.” So what can you do to ensure social media helps you instead of hurting you? First, remove any negative images from your profiles. This includes any images of you “partying,” drinking, using recreational drugs, wearing revealing clothing, and participating in illegal activities. Employers want to ensure you will be a good reflection of their company. Therefore, they want to see professionalism portrayed in everything you do. Second, clean up your posts. Any post that is negative towards a person or individual can be seen as harmful when it comes to landing your next big job. It is crucial that employers see you can stay professional and “keep your cool” when you are upset. Therefore, it is best to follow the widely-known rule, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Remove or edit posts that contain slang or typos. Effective communication is a must in today’s job market. If employers believe you are unable to effectively communicate in a professional manner on social media, it is likely they will think you will be unable to communicate professionally in the office when representing the company. Third, show engagement. This is something most people are not sure how to do. Showing engagement is more than just commenting on friends’ posts, it means showing how you are active in the community. Candidates who show they are volunteering and investing in their community are more likely to be chosen for a position than people who do not. Showing you are active in the community will show the employer you care about your community and that you are investing in the future. “People who are truly serious about beginning their career should start with their social media,” Roberts said. “If they are not careful about what they are posting, they will never get the job they want.” Therefore, ensure you are ready for your the next step in your career by making a positive, lasting first-impression. The impression you give on social media could be the deciding factor in obtaining the job you want.

Cleared for landing GKN Aerospace lands on one of Gulf Power’s Florida First Sites

We welcome GKN Aerospace and 170 new jobs to Panama City. Gulf Power is proud to be part of the regional effort alongside Bay Economic Development Alliance and others to introduce GKN Aerospace to Panama City and The St. Joe Company’s VentureCrossings™ site. This location is a Florida First Site — a program Gulf Power developed to attract new business and jobs to the region — and one of nine project-ready industrial sites that are certified and ready for development across Northwest Florida.

Many young professionals are enthusiastic about area business and community opportunities and are ready to get involved as new leaders. Bay Young Professionals (BYP) was formed by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce to specifically address the needs of this age group to enrich our community by uniting, developing and retaining our future leaders. If you are interested in becoming part of the Bay Young Professionals (BYP) group, contact Elizabeth Smith at 850-215-3761 or elizabeth@baychamberfl.com.

Photos by: Desiree Gardner Photography Gene Wong was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, his Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M in Corpus Christi, Texas, and his Doctorate of Optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. He completed his fellowship with the American Academy of Optometry in 2013 and became board certified as a diplomat through the American Board of Optometry in 2015. Gene relocated to Panama City in early 2015 for itsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; beautiful beaches and southern hospitality. Prior to his relocation, he practiced optometry in Winchester, Virginia, Fort Worth, Texas, and Brownsville, Texas. He currently serves as an associate optometrist with The Eye Center of North Florida splitting his time between the offices in Panama City, Port Saint Joe, and Chipley. He is proud to be part of a clinic that is on the forefront of the newest advancements in technology and services. Gene is active in the community through the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and itsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Young Professional Committee. He is member of the American Optometric Association, American Academy of Optometry, West Florida Optometric Association, and Florida Optometric Association. Gene was recently elected to the Board of Trustees for the West Florida Optometric Association. During his spare time, Gene likes to travel and explore Northwest Florida with his dog, Apple, a rescue Texas Heeler.

Gene Wong Eye Center of North Florida

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If you’re frustrated with the hassle of glasses or contacts, we oﬀer vision correction options like Blade-Free LASIK and the new Raindrop Near Vision Inlay which can eliminate or reduce the need for reading glasses.

We oﬀer a full-service contact lens and optical department which features a wide selection of designer and value frames to t every style, personality and budget.

COSMETIC SERVICES

Cosmetic eye procedures can actually improve how you see. We oﬀer eyebrow and eyelid lifts to repair droopy eyes and non-surgical treatments like Botox and cosmetic llers.

workforce connection Opening the Door to Hundreds of Jobs by: Kim Bodine, Executive Director, CareerSource Gulf Coast

ooking for a new job or career can be challenging, perhaps even overwhelming at times. What if you could visit one website and find all of the active job listings in the area – from professional resume-ready opportunities to skilled manufacturing positions to entry-level openings across the spectrum? That’s what CareerSource Gulf Coast offers.

As one of 24 workforce regions in the CareerSource Florida network, we leverage the power of the state’s largest database of employment opportunities, Employ Florida. While job seekers can look through current openings as a guest, full registration unlocks a wide range of tools, including the ability to apply online for many of our listings. You’ll also be able to create resumes and cover letters, program automated daily job searches that will be emailed directly to you, and use career assessment tools that help match your qualifications and abilities to specific occupations. Employ Florida - hosted online at EmployFlorida.com – gives you 24/7 access to thousands of job listings. Don't have internet access to get your job search going? No worries. You are welcome to come to the Panama City Job Center (Hwy 231 & 19th) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. You’ll have free use of our resource room, which includes multiple computer stations, copy and fax machines, and our helpful staff who are ready to assist you with your search. We offer similar services in Gulf and Franklin Counties. Ready to get that job search started? Get registered! Visit EmployFlorida.com and click on the “Not Registered” link below the green sign-in box (top of page). On the next page, you’ll use “Option 3 – Create a User Account,” and select the “Individual” option. Now, you’re on your way. You’ll be asked to enter your details as you move through the system. It

takes less than an hour to complete the full registration process – as you’ll be entering not only your profile information but also your work history, skills, past positions and more. The details matter! We use your resume to source specific candidates to our employers, so it’s really important we have a clear picture of your experience and qualifications. Yes – the registration process requires an initial investment of time, but once complete – you’ll be able to fully experience all the benefits the site has to offer. For example, in addition to targeted job searching, you can learn what jobs you are qualified for and how much those jobs pay. You will be able to save profile information, settings, and preferences which eliminate the need to conduct repeated searches for the same information, saving you time and effort. So invest a little time - get a lot of service!

Whether you’re an existing professional, a military veteran/spouse seeking that next opportunity, or looking for a first job – CareerSource Gulf Coast will assist. We can help you identify employers hiring right now, develop a resume, search openings, prepare for interviews and so much more. All of our services are free of charge. Stop in, call us, or visit our website: CareerSourceGC.com. No matter how you choose to connect, we'll be here to serve you. Remember, the Panama City Job Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and you can reach us via email at customerservice@careersourcegc.com or by phone at 850-872-4340, ext. 100.

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If you are a member of the Bay County Chamber and would like to submit your business news to be published, email a press release, logo or photo to: taylor@baychamberfl.com.

MidSouth Bank W. Davis Malone, Chairman & CEO of MidSouth Bank, recently announced that veteran banker Brad Thomas has been named Market President for Bay County. MidSouth is located at 1418 West 23rd Street in Panama City.

School. As a career banker, he brings sixteen years of experience, primarily in credit analysis and commercial lending, to his new role. Thomas is active in the community as a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Panama City Beach and current board member for Business Innovation Center and for the Bay County Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as Bay County Community Chair and Governing Board of Directors representative for Big Brother Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. He and his wife, Jami, attend Woodlawn United Methodist Church, and have two children. Gulf Coast State College

"Brad has been a valuable part of our team for the past eight years," Malone stated. "His unique combination of overall banking knowledge and commercial lending expertise have made him a great asset for us. We are happy to promote him to Bay County Market President and are confident in his ability to lead our bank in the Panama City area. Brad has shown his commitment to establishing longterm banking relationships. He understands the various financial problems and opportunities facing individuals and businesses and is uniquely qualified to work alongside community members to reach successful solutions. We know our customers benefit from Brad’s overall financial skill and excellent customer service.” A Georgia native, Thomas earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Georgia and his Masters of Business Administration from Georgia State University. He is also a 2015 graduate of Alabama Banking

Gulf Coast State College’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Roonie Scovel, has been honored as a 2017 inductee to the All Sports Association Hall of Fame. She has been

of Student Affairs. “She is committed to coaching and mentoring young women to be successful on and off the court. She is a great teacher of basketball, but a better teacher of life.” Two Local Businesswomen Named to 40 Under 40 Every two years, Development Counsellors International honors young professionals from across the globe for exceptional contributions to the economic development industry, and to recognize the profession’s rising stars. This year, two professionals from Panama City were selected to join the elite “40 Under 40” Class of 2017 for their outstanding achievements, experience, innovation and track record to the community and profession.

Jennifer Conoley

legendary at Gulf Coast, compiling a 513-71 record (prior to this season). Scovel has won four national championships, and was also named NJCAA Coach of the Year in 2016. “Roonie Scovel is a jewel; she is a tremendous educator whose classroom happens to be a basketball court,” said Melissa Lavender, Vice President

Among the 40 young professionals honored, Jennifer Conoley, Economic Development representative for Gulf Power, and Scarlett Phaneuf, Vice President of Bay Economic Development Alliance, were chosen as among the “new breed of results-driven place makers in the economic development world.” Conoley has been with Gulf Power for more than four years, and is responsible for developing and deploying global marketing and attraction efforts to help promote Northwest

Florida as a top business location. She also works with other agencies across the area and state to help improve the area’s business development programs. Conoley serves in several leadership positions that support economic development in the area including Past Chair of the Business Innovation Center, ViceChair of CareerSource Gulf Coast, and as Co-Chair of Alignment Bay County’s operating board.

Scarlett Phaneuf

Phaneuf has served as the Vice President of Bay EDA for the past four years. At only 32 years old, she plays a vital role in helping to locate a company that is creating new jobs that could impact our neighbors, family and friends for generations to come, and show them Bay County is the place they should choose to move their operations to. As a volunteer member of various boards and committees across Northwest Florida, such as CareerSource Gulf Coast and Florida’s Great Northwest, Phaneuf works with numerous companies to help grow the region’s economy. Gulf World Marine Institute Late in the afternoon on Thursday, February 2, Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) received word of a stranded manatee near the Deer

Point Dam in Lynn Haven, FL. GWMI, under the guidance of the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) responded to the scene to evaluate the situation, and found the animal actively staying in shallow water and demonstrating abnormal behavior. The decision was made for the safety of the animal and responders to report back the next day. GWMI, along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), FWRI, Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge (ECWR), and University of Florida (UF) were able to locate and rescue the animal. After observing the animal, the concern was that it was demonstrating symptoms of cold stress, which occurs when manatees experience prolonged exposure to water temperatures below 68 degrees and can be fatal. The animal was transported to the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida for rehabilitation.

degree studies. Unique to this degree, students will learn how to design, build and manage public and private clouds, while doing their dayby-day learning in the cloud. Graduates will earn credentials as Microsoft Certified Solutions Associates or Experts and have the option to study for the Microsoft Technology Associates Certification. Harrison Sale McCloy, Attorneys At Law Harrison Sale McCloy Attorneys at Law announced the addition of DeAnna Turpen as Commercial Closing Manager & Title Supervisor to their real estate division early February.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is known for more than just world-class aviation and aerospace programs, with our Worldwide Tyndall/Panama City Campus also offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s degrees and undergraduate certifications—in business, engineering and emergency services. New this year, Embry-Riddle Worldwide has partnered with Microsoft to help students develop strong software and systems skills as part of our Bachelor of Science in Technical Management degree, with the opportunity to choose between three Applied Information Technology (AIT) specializations. Each AIT course incorporates field-proven Microsoft Official Courseware, providing students the opportunity to build hands-on software systems and technology skills within the context of the bachelor’s

Turpen has had a comprehensive career in all aspects of real estate. She has worked as a title agent, a real estate agent, an escrow and closing officer and as a Community Association Manager (CAM). She started her career in 1984 in Bay County and, after extensive experience, will now lead a team of six that includes paralegals, closing agents and other support staff at Harrison Sale McCloy, HSMc. Turpen’s responsibilities include managing the real estate departments and closings in all the HSMc Offices in Panama City, Santa Rosa Beach and Destin, Florida.

Have a submission for the Biz List? Please contact Taylor Smith at 850-215-3755.

NOW SERVICING PANAMA CITY!

423.677.8022 Jim Cash, Sales Jcash@dluxprinting.com 850.457.8494 Darrell Jensen, General Manager Darrell@dluxprinting.com

calendar of events Apr.

May

7th

5th

2nd

FSU Panama City Holley Academic Center (4750 Collegiate Drive)

Networking: 7:15 a.m. / Program 8:00 a.m.