Ted shares how you can help Fresh Start support local families by donating and shopping at Repeat Street.

Community Partner Spotlight

Click on event below to register NOW for our Upcoming Chamber Events.

Don't forget to apply your discount, Click here

(Discount only applies to First Friday Coffee, Nothing But Networking, & Business After Hours)

Upcoming Committee Meetings: Are you seeking opportunities for professional development and personal growth. Come to one or all eleven of our chamber committees to see what the buzz is about!

Register Now!

Join Us!

Chamber Life: Stories from the life and times of

Fort Walton Beach Chamber members...

Story By: Kelly Murphy-Redd CEcD - The Official Storyteller of the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce

Christine & Brett Kaufman of Illume: Bright Lights in Our Business Community

Illume is a branding and design firm created by Christine Kaufman in 2019. Christine comes from Missouri where she worked for an ad agencies in Kansas City after earning her degree in graphic design, later becoming a freelance graphic designer. Brett Kaufman moved here from Finland where he worked for Nokia after 10 years in graduate engineering programs. He moved to Okaloosa County with a suitcase and $200 to take over renovating a family home. He began work for a government contractor in weapons design until the contract was cancelled due to Covid. Read more...

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!

Okaloosa County would like to know about how we're doing at informing, communicating and engaging with the citizens of Okaloosa County. Let us know by taking this very short survey.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2025OkaloosaCommunicationsSurvey

Okaloosa County Housing Manager Brittnee Orr recently sat down with Okaloosa County Commissioner and Chairman Paul Mixon to discuss a critical issue facing our growing community: the need for affordable/workforce housing. As Okaloosa County continues to thrive, ensuring that residents have access to safe, quality, and affordable homes is more important than ever. Brittnee shared how the County is working to expand housing options for individuals and families at all income levels. From first-time homebuyers to hardworking families, affordable housing helps strengthen our workforce, support local businesses, and build a more resilient community. 

Commissioner Mixon emphasized that affordable housing isn’t just a goal — it’s a necessity for Okaloosa’s long-term success. By partnering with developers, community organizations, and state programs, the County is actively seeking solutions to meet the rising demand. If you or someone you know is looking for resources, assistance, or more information on current housing programs, visit OkaloosaHousing.com. View the video conversation

at https://youtu.be/rSP9CbScazA?si=_qNVvw3AGoKxq-U8

Coffee with the City Manager

The City of Fort Walton Beach invites you to meet our new City Manager Jason Davis from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thursday, July 3 at the Fort Walton Beach Public Library.

This is a chance to share your thoughts and ideas about the city in an informal setting. No registration is necessary. Drop by anytime, grab some coffee, meet the City Manager and discuss the topics that matter most to you.

If you can’t make it on July 3, don’t worry. This will be a recurring event scheduled on the first Thursday morning of each month and held in the conference room of the Fort Walton Beach Public Library, located at 185 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE.

We’ll see you there!

Fourth of July festivities

Join us in Downtown Fort Walton Beach for our annual July 4th Celebration at the Fort Walton Beach Landing from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 4, 2025.

We'll have food vendors and Scratch 2020 will be returning to the stage with their high energy mix of rock and roll from all eras. The fireworks show over Santa Rosa Sound starts at 8:45 p.m.

Come enjoy this free, family friendly event!

Police Chief Bage to serve as president of Florida Police Chief’s Association

The City of Fort Walton Beach congratulates Police Chief Robert Bage, who was recently sworn in as the new President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA).

The FPCA is one of the largest state police chief associations in the country, with more than 1,000 members representing municipal, airport, college, university, tribal, railroad, and port authority police departments, as well as private security firms and federal, state, and county law enforcement agencies. Its membership spans every region of Florida.

“Chief Bage’s election as President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association is a moment of great pride for the City of Fort Walton Beach, reflecting the high regard in which he is held by his peers across the state and acknowledging his years of dedicated service, professionalism, and character,” said Mayor Nic Allegretto during a recent City Council meeting.

As President, Chief Bage’s top priorities include investing in FPCA members, amplifying their collective voice, and preparing the profession for a rapidly changing future, including what he calls the Era of Accountability and Innovation.

Chief Bage aims to lead the FPCA in embracing transparency, fostering public trust, and responsibly integrating emerging technologies like artificial intelligence into policing practices ensuring they serve the public good without compromising ethical standards.

“Policing is more than laws and patrols,” Chief Bage said. “It is the intricate relationships and interactions that determine whether our citizens feel secure or vulnerable, respected or disregarded. Through the FPCA’s strategic leadership, community engagement, and a bold vision for the future, we will elevate the profession and the people who serve.”

Changing of the Guard at the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department

The City of Fort Walton Beach would like to thank Fire Chief Jeremy Morgan for his nearly 25 years of service to the department. Chief Morgan will be retiring from the city on July 1.

Chief Morgan started his career with the department after graduating from the fire academy at Pensacola Junior College in 1999. He worked his way up the “fire ladder,” with promotions to Driver/Engineer in 2008, Captain in 2012, Battalion Chief in 2017, Deputy Fire Chief in 2021 and Fire Chief in 2022.

In his time with the City, Chief Morgan has earned multiple fire science degrees as well as a bachelor’s degree in emergency management. He has served in Okaloosa County's Special Operations Unit, which included rope-based rescue and hazmat response teams, and he has been paramedic certified since 2003.

Deputy Chief Thearon Shipman will be taking over as the department’s Fire Chief.

Deputy Chief Shipman is a veteran of the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department with more than 22 years of firefighting service. He will also be the first African American to serve as fire chief of a civilian fire department in Okaloosa County.

Shipman began his career with the department in August 2002 and was promoted to Engineer in 2008, Captain in 2015, Battalion Chief in 2025 and Deputy Chief in February 2025.

Chief Shipman’s dedication and leadership made a significant impact on firefighter training and development. He served as the department’s EMS coordinator, working closely with county EMS to ensure all firefighters were up to date on the latest protocols and training. Additionally, he became an American Heart Association instructor, teaching CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

We wish Chief Morgan well in his retirement and congratulate Chief Shipman on his new promotion.

Okaloosa County Schools Participating in the 2025 Summer Food Service Program

Okaloosa County Schools is proud to announce its participation in the 2025 Summer Food Service Program, ensuring that children in the community continue to have access to nutritious meals during the summer months. Through Summer Break Spot, balanced breakfasts and lunches will be available at no cost for children 18 and under at designated school sites. Meals will be served on-site, in accordance with USDA and FDACS guidelines, and must be consumed at the designated location. Grab-and-go meals will no longer be available.

The program is designed to support geographical areas of need where at least 50 percent of children qualify for free or reduced-price meals during the school year. Meals are provided to all children in the immediate vicinity of participating school sites, including those enrolled in summer school programs.

Families should note:

• Meals will not be served on weekends or July 4.
• Site hours and availability may change based on participation levels.
• It is recommended to check for updated times and locations regularly.

Okaloosa County Schools is committed to ensuring access to healthy meals for children throughout the summer. For a list of participating schools, meal service times, and additional details, please visit https://www2.okaloosaschools.com/article/2240935.