BY: MELISSA LUPTON, VP OF GOVERNMENTAL/MILITARY AFFAIRS You may associate the two miles of sugar-white sand in Mexico
It all starts with community strength and enlightened leadership.
Beach as the “forgotten coast”, but I can assure you it is anything
The Mexico Beach City Government was not only facing the gruel-
but. On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael introduced himself to
ing task of rebuilding an entire city from the ground up, but doing
the beautiful community that is Bay County. He dragged his feet
so with a short supply of staff members. While small, this group
while making a destructive journey north, throwing the strongest
of staff members has proven themselves to be mighty. “What has
right hook the Gulf Coast has seen since Andrew paid his visit in
been accomplished since the storm is truly unbelievable and part
1992. Unfortunately, Mexico Beach and their neighbor to the west,
of what’s unbelievable is our staff. We only have 35 City employ-
Tyndall Air Force Base, took the brunt of that strong arm. I think I
ees. To do all of this work with only 35 people is incredible,” said
can speak for everyone who was affected when saying the word
City Manager, Mario Gisbert. Saying the city had to be rebuilt from
devastation cannot begin to describe the conditions Michael left
the ground up, was not just a figure of speech. The entire water
Bay County in.
and sewer system had to be reconstructed on top of addressing
Prior to Michael’s memorable visit, the quiet town of Mexico Beach was home to about 1,200 citizens, a majority of which being retirees, with a handful of shops and restaurants. On October 11,
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the fact that 85% of buildings within the city were uninhabitable or simply nonexistent. Nonexistent by means of the structure eventually being located miles away from its original foundation.
2018, Mexico Beach was left with next to nothing. Looking at the
Over the past 3 years, there have been 251 new homes construct-
almost leveled community, I’m sure anyone who laid eyes on it
ed, 861 homes rehabilitated, and 22 newly constructed and/or
had to have the thought of “what do we do now?” If you answered
rehabilitated commercial buildings. City employees may not be
“rebuild the community back to the peaceful family-friendly city it
the ones turning the dirt, but they have certainly been feeling the
has always been, but with much stronger weather resiliency” then
effects of the massive uptick in construction projects from the
you would be correct. There are still many hurdles to overcome,
personal, public, and private sectors. Due to rebuilding efforts
however, Mexico Beach has certainly made noticeable headway on
and federal dollars, the City’s annual budget is now roughly 90%
its rebuild efforts.
larger than in years prior to the storm. The permitting and utility
BAY BIZ / FALL 2021
