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Business and Economic Development
Business, Community & Education Partners
Walton County Cities
The Walton County Economic Development Alliance was created in the 1990's to spearhead the diversification of the County's economy, attract new investments to the region and create incremental jobs. We aim to provide local and prospective businesses with the tools and resources they need to achieve success.
Through partnerships with area organizations, we facilitate growth and expansion by supporting current and new businesses. Our goal is to develop a vibrant local economy, grow quality jobs and ensure national and global demand for Walton County resources.
http://wcedafl.com
Our Vision: To be the area's leading voice of business.
Our Mission: Be the driving force to promote, develop and advocate for successful businesses in the community.
Our Core Values
- Excellence – We will strive to achieve excellence in all that we do.
- Integrity - We will operate honestly and ethically, doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
- Innovation – We will be forward-thinking with the willingness to change and act with diversity in both thought and function.
CareerSource Okaloosa Walton is a non-profit organization that:
- Identifies and facilitates the management of workforce issues in our local community
- Convenes the appropriate organizations and individuals to address them
- Oversees the daily delivery of employment and training services to employers, workers, and job seekers through the CareerSource Okaloosa Walton centers
The purpose of the D.B.P.A. is to promote unity among the businesses of DeFuniak Springs; support activities and events which have a mutual benefit to the business community;and promote an opportunity to meet and discuss business items and concerns.
Main Street DeFuniak Springs believes a thriving community has a great diversified business district and a natural feel of community that lends itself to great shopping and dining options, annual events and festivals for kids and kids at heart, and entertainment that spurs both emotion and conversation. DeFuniak Springs was founded on the four pillars of Arts, Education, Recreation and Spirituality. Main Street will take inspiration from our history and weave our core principals into everything we do.
https://mainstreetdfs.org/
- Emerald Coast Regional Partners
- Enterprise Florida
- Florida Assoc. of Counties
- Florida DEO
- Florida's Great Northwest
- Florida Chamber of Commerce
- Small Business Development Center
Emerald Coast Regional Council is one of ten regional planning councils in the state of Florida. ECRC supports northwest Florida by planning for and coordinating intergovernmental solutions to growth-related problems, providing technical assistance to local governments, and meeting the needs of the municipalities in our seven-county region: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Washington, and Holmes.
Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a public-private partnership between Florida’s business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for Florida. EFI’s mission is to expand and diversify the state’s economy through job creation. In pursuit of its mission, EFI works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.
EFI’s activities have championed Florida as the premier location for business expansion and relocation, created a renewed interest both nationally and internationally in Florida as a top state for business, and resulted in a significant number of new jobs and capital investments.
Enterprise Florida recruits new business to the state, and works to retain and expand existing industry and business. EFI focuses its economic development efforts on a wide range of industry sectors, including aviation & aerospace, life sciences, information technology, defense & homeland security, clean energy, financial & professional services, manufacturing and beyond.
EFI is the state’s primary entity for trade and export development supporting more than 60,000 Florida exporting businesses. The organization also supports small and minority businesses through its capital programs. Another key aspect of EFI’s responsibilities is the marketing and promotion of Florida as a premier business destination.
The Florida Association of Counties helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening and preserving county home rule through advocacy, education and collaboration.
For more than 85 years, the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) has represented the diverse interests of Florida’s counties, emphasizing the importance of protecting home rule – the concept that communities and their local leaders should make the decisions that impact their community.
FAC is the only association representing Florida's counties – bringing together the collective experience and knowledge of 377 county commissioners and supported by thousands of county professional staff. FAC provides the cohesive platform that enables county officials and staff to speak with a unified voice on behalf of all Floridians. Through FAC, counties are better able to serve not only their communities, but the entire state of Florida.
Throughout the state, Florida’s counties perform vital public services such as public safety, fire and emergency medical services, jails, parks, libraries, healthcare, growth management, economic development, and roads to name a few.
http://www.fl-counties.com
In collaboration with our partners, DEO assists the Governor in advancing Florida’s economy by championing the state’s economic development vision and by administering state and federal programs and initiatives to help visitors, citizens, businesses, and communities.
- Goal 1. Lead the nation in economic growth and prosperity by supporting talent and business development.
- Goal 2. Lead the nation in global competitiveness by promoting Florida’s innovation, pro-business climate and opportunity.
- Goal 3. Lead the nation in quality of life and quality places by providing safe, healthy and resilient communities.
http://www.floridajobs.org
We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.
We have a vision to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve our Nation's natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.
Our strategic goals serve as a roadmap for the Department to help ensure we achieve our mission and implement our vision.
The Florida Chamber, our members and our partners have been fighting for greater economic opportunity and job creation since 1916. And for the past 100 years, the Florida Chamber has stood up for what’s right for Florida in every corner — from the Florida Legislature to the Florida Cabinet, from state to federal agencies, from the court of law to the court of public opinion. When the battle is about what is best for Florida’s future, the Florida Chamber is on the front lines.
http://www.flchamber.com
The Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida (Florida SBDC at UWF) provides management assistance and training to any prospective or existing small-business owner in Northwest Florida, including Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Holmes, Washington, Gulf, Calhoun, and Jackson counties.
The Florida SBDC Network is state designated as Florida’s Principal Provider of Business Assistance [§ 288.001, Fla. Stat.] and recognized as Florida’s “premier source” for business assistance. With this assistance, clients can become more successful and, in turn, contribute positively to the area’s economic growth and stability. More than 35 SBDC offices operate in Florida from Key West to Pensacola under the guidance of seven state universities, including the University of West Florida, and state colleges.
https://sbdc.uwf.edu/
Counties are responsible for providing core services such as human services, criminal justice, public welfare and infrastructure to communities of all sizes across America.
The conditions of a county economy can constrain and challenge county governments, residents and businesses, while also providing opportunities.
To ensure the delivery of essential services, support job growth and maintain a healthy revenue base, counties invest in community and economic development activities in a number of ways.
Counties most typically focus on workforce training, business attraction and retention and regional marketing in their economic development partnerships. Collaboration is the key to successful county economic development initiatives.
http://www.naco.org
We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.
We have a vision to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve our Nation's natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.
Our strategic goals serve as a roadmap for the Department to help ensure we achieve our mission and implement our vision.
We have a vision to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve our Nation's natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.
Our strategic goals serve as a roadmap for the Department to help ensure we achieve our mission and implement our vision.
The U.S. Economic Development Administration's investment policy is designed to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies throughout the United States. This foundation builds upon two key economic drivers - innovation and regional collaboration. Innovation is key to global competitiveness, new and better jobs, a resilient economy, and the attainment of national economic goals. Regional collaboration is essential for economic recovery because regions are the centers of competition in the new global economy and those that work together to leverage resources and use their strengths to overcome weaknesses will fare better than those that do not. EDA encourages its partners around the country to develop initiatives that advance new ideas and creative approaches to address rapidly evolving economic conditions.
https://www.eda.gov/
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
CDBGThe Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at HUD. The CDBG program provides annual grants on a formula basis to 1209 general units of local government and States.
- Walton County School District
- Emerald Coast Technical College
- Northwest Florida State College
- Seaside Schools
Walton County School District (WCSD) is committed to excellence in education. All WCSD public schools are accredited by AdvancED, which is a national accrediting organization formed through a partnership of regional accrediting agencies, including SACS CASI. The district is among the top performing school districts in the state.
WCSD has six elementary, three middle, three high schools, one K - 12 school, two alternative education schools, three charter schools, and a career development center school.
https://www.walton.k12.fl.us/
Our program offerings change with the job demands of our employers but current programs are listed on this website. Cosmetology, Cyber Security, Automotive Technology, Administrative Office Specialist, Computer Systems Information Technology(CSIT), Medical Administrative Specialist, Practical Nursing, Electricity, HVAC are a few If you think there is something we should offer, please let us know and we will check into it. Just e mail us!
We also offer GED preparation and Adult Basic Education for diploma retrieval.
http://www.ectc.edu/
Located in the coastal heart of the Florida panhandle, Northwest Florida State College has earned a reputation for educational excellence and community involvement. As part of Florida’s public system of 28 state and community colleges, NWF State College offers bachelor’s degree programs, associate degrees, and certificates. The college’s primary service district stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to the Alabama state line.
Northwest Florida State College improves lives. We deliver outstanding educational programs that are relevant, accessible, and engaging for students of all ages and provide exceptional cultural, athletic, and economic development activities for the communities served. We commit to excellence, creativity, integrity, and service.
https://www.nwfsc.edu/
Founded in 1996, The Seaside School, Inc. was one of the first and is now one of the oldest surviving public charter schools in the state of Florida. Its original goal was simple – create a school to address the need for better middle school education in Walton County – and we haven’t stopped since. Seaside School now has over 330 students across two campuses serving grades 5th through 12th. Seaside Neighborhood School serves 5th through 8th grades and is located in the iconic beach town of Seaside, Florida. Located on the campus of nearby Northwest Florida State College, Seacoast Collegiate High School serves 9th through 12th grades offering students the ability to graduate high school with an associate college degree. Soon, Seaside School will expand to serve kindergarten through 4th grades.
https://www.seasideschools.net/