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Browse the Business Directory and view current News Releases, Job Postings, and Hot Deals from fellow members.
Ready to add your own? The tutorials below walk you through how to post and manage your own content on the Chamber Website.
| | Check out these short tutorial videos that provide a step-by-step guide on how to navigate through the online Member Information Center (MIC). These instructional videos will show you how to update your profile, add keywords, add job postings, register for chamber events/add your benefit discount, add events to chamber community calendar, pay invoices and much more! | | |
The City of Crestview, Okaloosa County, Florida Trail Association, and U.S. Forest Service gathered recently to designate the City of Crestview as part of its Gateway Community Program on the Florida National Scenic Trail.
The dedication ceremony took place in front of Crestview’s Welcome + Adventure Center on Saturday, July 18, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate a newly built kiosk with information about the Gateway Community Program.
The kiosk provides visitors and residents of Crestview the opportunity to learn more about the Florida National Scenic Trail, which passes directly through the city. The kiosk also highlights local businesses and amenities available to Florida Trail hikers, offering resources for those looking to enjoy a meal, resupply, or experience the hospitality of the Crestview community before continuing their journey.
The Florida Trail (FT) stretches 1,500 miles through some of the most beautiful, unique landscapes in the state. The northern terminus of the trail is in Gulf Islands National Seashore near Pensacola, Florida, and the southern terminus is located in Big Cypress National Preserve in the Everglades.
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City Sanitation to offer two programs in August
The City of Fort Walton Beach’s Sanitation Department has two upcoming programs in August. There is no additional fee for either program, although they are limited to residential trash customers living within the city limits.
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Our Semi-annual Neighborhood cleanup program is set for the month of August
From Aug. 3-27, City of Fort Walton Beach residential trash collection crews will be picking up large, unwanted household items like furniture, appliances, mattresses, and other items too large to fit in our residential garbage bins.
Pickups will be made on your regularly scheduled yard waste collection day. Simply place the items on the curb, away from fire hydrants and above-ground utility boxes.
Items NOT accepted include construction and demolition debris, concrete, bricks, glass, tires and hazardous materials. Okaloosa County accepts, free of charge, household hazardous waste items at its facility on Ready Avenue.
Okaloosa County accepts, free of charge, household hazardous waste items at its facility on Ready Avenue. Read about Okaloosa County's Household Hazardous Waste program here
For more information on Residential Sanitation Services, call the City of Fort Walton Beach Sanitation Division at 850-833-9655 or visit fwb.org/residentialservices
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Free Tire Pick-Up scheduled for Friday, August 28
The City of Fort Walton Beach will offer a free tire collection for city residents on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.
To schedule a pickup, please call the city’s Solid Waste Division at 850-833-9655 between Monday, Aug. 24 and Friday, Aug. 28. Simply place the old scrap tires at the curbs, away from any obstructions. *This program is for residential trash customers. No large commercial or agricultural tires can be accepted.
If you do not live in the city, you can still dispose of used tires free of charge at the South Okaloosa Transfer Station. Read more here
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“Back 2 School” event set for Saturday, Aug. 1 at Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center
The new school year is right around the corner, and nearly 30 local businesses and organizations are teaming up to help make sure students are ready to succeed with a “Back 2 School” community event to be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center (located at 132 Jet Drive NW).
The event is designed for students in grades K through 12, but parents are encouraged to attend as well. This is more than a backpack giveaway; it’s an opportunity for families to connect with organizations that offer year-round support and services.
· Pick up backpacks and essential school supplies for the upcoming school year (while supplies last)
· Connect with tutoring and educational resources; learn about scholarship opportunities
· Get health information, screenings, and learn about mental health resources available
· Learn about mentorship opportunities for middle and high school students
· Parents can find housing resources and information for first-time homebuyers
· Pizza, snacks, cotton candy, and popcorn
· Music provided throughout the day by a live DJ
OneBlood’s Big Red Bus will be also on site from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. taking blood donations. All donors receive a $25 eGift Card, a Big Red Bus T-shirt, and a wellness checkup. Appointments are encouraged at oneblood.org/donate-now, use sponsor code 79668.
Want to help? We’re still looking for new backpacks and school supplies. Donations may be dropped off with Pat Sherman at the Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center.
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Okaloosa County School District Reminds Families to Take Advantage of Florida's Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday
As families prepare for the start of the 2026-2027 school year, the Okaloosa County School District encourages parents and guardians to take advantage of Florida's Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, now through August 20, 2026. The annual sales tax holiday provides families with an opportunity to save on many of the essential items students need for a successful school year, including qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, backpacks, learning aids, and certain computers and computer accessories.
"Preparing for a new school year is an exciting time for our students and families," said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. "Florida's Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday helps make that preparation a little easier by reducing the cost of many classroom essentials. We encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity as we look forward to welcoming students back for another outstanding school year." Read more...
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Okaloosa County School District's Project SEARCH Program Earns Statewide and Global Recognition; 10 Interns Enrolled for Upcoming School Year
The Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) is proud to announce that its Project SEARCH program at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Walton Beach has received the Florida Project SEARCH Excellent Outcome Award for achieving outstanding employment outcomes for its 2024-2025 cohort. Presented during the Florida Project SEARCH Annual Conference, the Excellent Outcome Award recognizes Project SEARCH sites that achieve employment outcomes between 77% and 99% for graduating participants. Florida currently has 45 active Project SEARCH sites across 38 cities, and the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Walton Beach program was one of only five sites statewide to receive this prestigious recognition. In addition to the statewide honor, this achievement represents a significant global accomplishment. Project SEARCH has approximately 800 sites worldwide, and the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Walton Beach program was one of only 166 selected to receive an Excellent Outcome Award, placing it among the top 21% of Project SEARCH sites internationally. Read more...
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Kindergarten Kickstart Prepares 326 Students for a Successful Start to School
The Okaloosa County School District's annual Kindergarten Kickstart program welcomed 326 incoming kindergarten students at 11 Title I schools from July 20-23, 2026, helping young learners build confidence and prepare for their first day of school. Kindergarten Kickstart is designed to ease the transition into elementary school by giving students the opportunity to explore their new classrooms, meet teachers and classmates, establish daily routines, and develop confidence in a fun, supportive learning environment before the school year begins. Read more...
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It’s easy to get stuck when you have a great business idea but aren't quite sure how to actually launch it.
We're hosting a three-hour workshop at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville to help you take that next step. We’ll walk through the practical basics you need to know, including how to find startup funding, how to handle the legal and tax requirements, and how to land your very first customers.
The session is on Tuesday, August 25, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM CT.
You can save your spot at http://tinyurl.com/sbdc-niceville
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