Escambia County
Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key
Population: 295,426 (courtesy of eflorida.com 2006)
Largest Cities: Pensacola, Century

Escambia County is located in the extreme northwest corner of the State, bordered on the west and north by Alabama, on the east by Santa Rosa County, and on the South by the Gulf of Mexico. The County encompasses 661 square miles, or 420,480 acres, with an additional 64,000 acres of water area.

From the Gulf of Mexico north to Alabama is a distance of approximately 50 miles. What makes the area so attractive is its climate. Offering a year-round average temperature of 75 degrees, the outdoor activity is endless.

Whether you enjoy the classics, jazz, or contemporary music, you will find it all right here. The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra delights listeners every season with its renditions of the classics. Each Thursday during the summer, Seville Square hosts thousands of free concerts where locals can stretch out on the grass, enjoy a picnic, and listen to everything from rock and roll and Broadway show tunes, to a military brass band. You can also enjoy concerts by the Choral Society, Jazz Society, and Barbershop Chorus. If you like chamber music, you will love the Summer Music Festival, and the County Youth Orchestra.

If you enjoy the theater, you have several choices for your pleasure. The Cultural Center is home to the Pensacola Little Theater, which has served the community for more than 60 years. With a repertoire, which ranges from musicals to dramas and comedies, the Theater provides year-round entertainment. The historic Saenger Theater provides the backdrop for Broadway touring companies, concerts, and local entertainment groups. You can also enjoy performances by the Pensacola Opera and Ballet Pensacola. Additionally, the performing arts departments at both the University of West Florida and Pensacola Junior College offer promising thespians the opportunity to display their wares.

From 9-5...
The Pensacola area has a major east-west Interstate with several state highways to complement this interstate system. Its primary north south corridor will allow connection from the sunny beaches on the Gulf of Mexico thru the commercial/industrial areas thru the agricultural areas that are renowned for production to the State of Alabama.
One of the most exciting new developments was Inc. magazine placement of the Pensacola area at the number 15 spot on its list of the "Hottest Midsize Cities."

The ranking encompasses the Pensacola metropolitan area and was derived from a study of a three-month rolling average of U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics of unadjusted employment data reported from January 1994 to September 2005. The author of the article, Joe Kotkin, pointed out that for several years the nation's entrepreneurial hotbeds have been migrating from big to smaller cities.

"I think this ranking is indicative of the Pensacola area's continued economic viability and is good news for our future," said Buzz Ritchie, president, Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce. "If you look at the new construction, the homes in downtown Pensacola, the new commercial business at Cordova Mall and elsewhere, and the expanding health-care facilities, we're on a good, positive roll.

"If this is the boondocks, it's the kind of beautiful, exciting boondocks with a wealth of economic opportunity where more and more people want to be."

The Inc. magazine list of cities with employment bases in the 150,000-450,000 range notes that Pensacola's economy was hit by major hurricanes but the area is rebounding. While the rebuilding effort has been an economic spur, the ranking pointed out that the Pensacola area's growth goes far beyond that.
"An influx of call centers has come to the region, and major health care facilities are expanding," the article states.
The Pensacola area achieved its ranking with a one-year job growth of two percent and a five-year job growth of 7.7 percent, slightly under the state average of 9.6 percent but well ahead of job growth trends in Alabama (-0.1 percent), Georgia (-0.8 percent), and Mississippi (3.1 percent).

In head-to-head competition, Pensacola finished on the list far ahead of Montgomery (35th), Tallahassee (38th), and Mobile (49th).

The Pensacola area was one of four Florida mid-size cities to make the top-15 list. The others are Cape Coral-Fort Myers (1st), Sarasota-Bradenton (4th), and Palm Bay-Melbourne, (6th).

Almost as impressive as the mid-sized city rating was that the Pensacola area finished 71st among all U.S. cities, even when compared against locales such as Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando.

The off hours...
When the time comes to trade in your workday shoes for a pair of flip-flops, no location relaxes a person better than in Northwest Florida!

One of the most popular methods of transportation on the weekend is a bicycle. Bikers can enjoy 25 miles of nearly unbroken pavement that winds from Santa Rosa Sound from Navarre Beach to Pensacola Beach along Santa Rosa Island and through the town of Gulf Breeze. It's part of a 40-mile loop that varies between a separated path and paved shoulder.

If you prefer sporting events, Pensacola is home to the Ice Pilots, part of the East Coast Hockey League, and the Pensacola Pelicans, charter members of the independent Southern League of Professional Baseball and managed by former major leaguer Bernie Carbo.

The many cultural influences are evident in the number and variety of Pensacola festivals. The Greek community celebrates its heritage each October with a Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church, the Japanese-American Society of Northwest Florida conducts events throughout the year, and the town of Pace is home to an annual Scottish Festival with traditional food, "Highland" games, and dance. The Pace area is also home to an annual Creek Pow-Wow that features traditional food dishes, native dances, and a reenactment of the 19th century "Trail of Tears" that led Native Americans from their traditional homes in the Southeast to Oklahoma's Indian Territory. In addition, the Spanish and Creole heritage is highlighted at the Fiesta of Five Flags festivities and months of Mardi Gras activities celebrate the French heritage.

Santa Rosa County
Milton, Gulf Breeze, Navarre
Population: 150,523
Largest Cities: Milton, Gulf Breeze, Jay

Independent spirits, unique perspectives, and diverse communities make up Santa Rosa County. These qualities, woven together like a patchwork quilt, make this region beautiful and attractive. There are no set rules here; people create their own lifestyle. They work, live and play their way. In doing so, they leave their mark, helping to shape this community of communities.

in Santa Rosa Florida, a strong sense of community remains prominent even in the midst of growth and change. Near the top of the list of values is a deep appreciation of and respect for the natural environment. The Beaches to Rivers of Santa Rosa offer outward beauty and a grounded sense of place.

Milton, the county seat of Santa Rosa County, is located near the center of this Florida Panhandle country, adjacent to the Blackwater River. The City of Milton is among the oldest cities in Florida, incorporated in 1844 under the Florida Territorial Acts of 1844. In Milton's founding days, the Blackwater River served as the main transportation artery for its timber, lumber, brick, naval stores, and ship building industries. Milton's roots go back to the early 1800's when people began settling along the banks of the Blackwater River. In its earliest days, the settlement may have been referred to simply as "Blackwater." The origin of the name Milton is uncertain, but was likely a derivation of "mill town," demonstrating the importance of the lumber industry.

Gulf Breeze is a waterfront community of over 6,000 residents that prides itself on its small-town character, quality education, excellent local government, superb parks and recreational facilities, and multitude of waterfront activities. The City is also recognized as a leader in financial programs.

The Town of Jay, located in Northern Santa Rosa County Florida, is nestled in the heartland of the agriculture industry, and it's known for peanuts, cotton, and blue skies. The Town of Jay provides a friendly small town atmosphere with great neighborhoods, outstanding elementary and high schools, and a lifestyle unique to today's hectic pace.

Workforce...
Santa Rosa County is committed to bringing only the best businesses to Northwest Florida. They have a proven record of being dedicated to building a successful and sustainable business community that is in balance with its natural environment. Here, attributes of a high caliber work force, nationally ranked schools, and attractive incentive programs are "a given" to business owners.

It's impossible to overstate the positive impact of military affairs on Santa Rosa County. Florida's military and defense-related industries are critical to Florida's economy. The $44 billion industry is the state's third top economic sector behind tourism and agriculture; it tops the list in Santa Rosa County.

Home to Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Santa Rosa County helps make up the cradle of Naval Aviation. And, its people and influence help make this region great, strengthening an already top-notch workforce, and partnering at every turn of the corner.

Okaloosa County
Ft. Walton Beach, Crestview, Niceville
Population 183,140 (Courtesy of floridaedc.org 2006)
Largest Counties: Ft. Walton Beach, Crestview, Niceville

Offering an unparallel lifestyle Okaloosa County provides growth to its residents through new community developments, yet maintains a small county distinction. Rounding out this wonderfully diverse environment are accredited healthcare facilities, a secondary school system ranked among the best in the nation, major universities, a community college, diverse real estate opportunities, and state-of-the art utilities.

In 2003, 94 percent of schools in Okaloosa earned an "A", more than any other county in the state. Okaloosa was one of the first school districts to end the practice of social promotion, insisting that students meet academic standards in one grade before promotion to the next.

Student achievement in Okaloosa is accelerating, with a rising number of students performing above grade level. Okaloosa's success is not limited to one community. The A+ reforms are rising student achievement in all grades, in all areas, among all ethnicities at all income levels. Okaloosa schools are shattering the limitations of low expectations and proving that all children can learn when challenged and supported.

Eglin AFB reports being able to accommodate 20 percent of the 7,000 military personnel moving to the area. The other 80 percent live in the local civilian communities, cities, and towns.

Workforce...
With the largest Air Force installation in the world to anchor its economy and stimulate its industrial growth, Okaloosa's economic development thrives in a diverse business atmosphere.

Okaloosa County's reputation as a technology leader in Northwest Florida has prompted developers to construct "smart" buildings and "teleparks" to address the growing need to put tenants immediately in touch with global markets via state-of-the-art telecommunications.

Okaloosa County offers a variety of prime business locations including six industrial sites strategically positioned and easily accessible. Okaloosa is located between Pensacola and Panama City, both providing deep-water ports, and provides easy access to New Orleans, Atlanta, and Jacksonville.

Walton County
Population
52,270 (Courtesy of eflorida.com 2006)
Largest Cities: DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, Paxton

Walton County is one of Florida's fastest growing counties and boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including 16 certified Blue Wave Beaches.

The county was founded in 1824 and included more than 2,900 square miles including parts of Okaloosa, Washington and Holmes counties. The first census in 1830 showed the county having a population of 1,207 people.
Today Walton County is one of the fastest growing counties in Florida. The average temperature is 69 degrees with an average temperature in January of 53 degrees and 81 degrees in July. The area also boasts Florida's highest point at 345 feet above sea level.

The county has three municipalities, DeFuniak Springs, Freeport and Paxton. The landscape is marked by 26 miles of white sandy beaches, the Choctawhatchee Bay, many rivers and lakes and vast agricultural and timberlands. The Coastal Dune Lakes that dot the coastline are so rare they are only found in Walton County and remote portions of Africa. Walton's diverse ecosystem and population make the area an inviting place to live and work.

Bat County
Largest Cities: Panama City, Callaway, Lynn Haven
Population 163,505 (Courtesy of eflorida.com 2006)
County Seat: Panama City

Bay county is located in the heart of Florida's Great Northwest overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. Along with its world-renowned beaches, Bay County boasts an educated and enthusiastic workforce, which creates a wonderful business environment.

Bay County's recent real estate boom will give you housing choices to compliment your desired lifestyle. The wide range of available housing includes traditional as well as modern homes, country estates, apartments, villas, condominiums, and beach houses. New subdivisions and older, well-established neighborhoods can be found in almost all of Bay County's cities. Waterfront homes are also available everywhere from on the gulf to on a lagoon.

Several of the county's schools are historical landmarks and have been attended by many generations. Other county schools have recently been built or updated. The public has supported the county's ambitious academics by passing a sales tax referendum twice to improve and modify the county's schools. Millions of dollars of capital improvements have been made to renovate and construct new school buildings and continuous improvements from the sales tax funds will extend over the next 10 years.

Workforce...
Businesses and industries capitalize on Bay County's wealth of assets and abundant workforce. According to the region's demographic profile and a workforce survey of working-age residents, the area has a potential hidden labor supply of approximately 44,917 residents. This hidden labor supply consists of underemployed residents, residents not currently employed but interested in work, and recent college graduates. In addition are the Tyndall Air Force Base exiting military personnel (450 a year, of which 40 percent typically stay in the area) and the spouses of the enlisted personnel (2,500, of which 33-50 percent are work willing).

Escambia, SANTA ROSA, Okaloosa, WAlton & BAY CountIES. LIKE A LOCAL . . .
Although a favorite activity of locals are typically the same as visitors, sitting with feet in the sand and enjoying the area's sunshine, a number of area hotspots are considered the Northwest Florida's hidden treasures...

The Gulf Breeze Flea Market is where visitors and locals alike come to peruse thousands of one-of-a-kind bargains! Featuring 500 vendors, the market offers free admission, paved walkways, and concessions.
Located between Navarre and Gulf Breeze, the market is open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., rain or shine.
850-934-1971 | www.gulfbreezefleamarket.com

Every parent knows that children need activity and the Junior Museum of Bay County certainly provides an abundance of stimulation! Whether it's outdoor exploration on the 1,500-foot boardwalk and nature trail, or indoors and hands on playing, touching, and learning, the museum provides an ideal educational learning (and fun) spot to explore!
The museum's current exhibit highlight is Crime Lab, where your child takes on the lead as an investigator in a crime. The exhibit currently runs through May 2008.
850-769-6128 | www.juniormuseum.org

The Okaloosa Regional Airport provides a vital transportation service into the Florida Panhandle. Recently the airport increased its convenient non-stop flights to include Chicago via American Eagle Airline. Panhandle visitors and local residents are now able to leave the hustle and bustle of their metropolitan cities to arrive in the serene beach atmosphere for weekend getaways! For information and current airlines serviced at the airport call 850-651-7160 or visit www.flyvps.com.