Community Partner Spotlight | | |
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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! | | |
Good preparation and quality tools are the key to effective disaster response and we couldn’t do it without our agency partners.
Special thanks to the Emerald Coast Healthcare Coalition (ECHCC), which received grant funding to acquire 50 mega mover patient transport devices that can be used in mass casualty and disaster response by our EMS crews.
Learn more about the Emerald Coast Healthcare at https://emeraldcoasthealthcarecoalition.com/
Learn more about Okaloosa County EMS at https://myokaloosa.com/ps-ems
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Okaloosa County Water and Sewer crews are busy on Lewis Turner Blvd this week.
The "Longwood Area Transmission Main project" consists of installing a large-diameter water main, primarily along Lewis Turner Blvd, from General Bond Boulevard to Poquito Road.
This main will function as another drinking water source to the Longwood/Poquito area and will also serve as an avenue for drinking water to be transmitted from the Mid County Lower Zone (unincorporated Crestview) directly to the Garniers Lower Zone (unincorporated Fort Walton Beach), which also supplies water to Okaloosa Island.
With this project, the Longwood/Poquito area's water pressure will come from the Mid County Lower Zone, as opposed to the Longwood Tank, which is much lower in elevation than tanks in the Mid County Lower Zone. Upon completion of the project, water pressure in the Longwood/Poquito area is expected to increase by approximately 20 psi, pending final design.
The project consists of approximately 3,400 linear feet (LF) of 16" polyvinyl chloride (PVC) water main, 250 LF of ductile iron (DI) water main, a jack and bore (J&B) under Lewis Turner Blvd., and a horizontal directional drill (HDD) along Poquito Rd at the entrance to the University of Florida's REEF.
https://myokaloosa.com/ws/home
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Fourth of July celebration at Fort Walton Beach Landing
The City of Fort Walton Beach will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a Fourth of July event at the Fort Walton Beach Landing on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
The event kicks off at 5 p.m. We’ll have food vendors, live music from Scratch 2020, followed by a fireworks show over Santa Rosa Sound. Come celebrate America’s 250th birthday at the newly renovated Fort Walton Beach Landing.
The Fort Walton Beach Landing is located at 139 Brooks St SE, in downtown Fort Walton Beach.
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First Street and Beal Parkway is now right turn only
The City of Fort Walton Beach, with the permission of the Florida Department of Transportation, has changed the traffic flow at the intersection of Beal Parkway and First Street to reduce the number of vehicle crashes.
Now, motorists traveling on First Street (eastbound and westbound) will only be able to turn right onto Beal Parkway. Additionally, motorists on Beal Parkway (northbound and southbound) will no longer be able to turn left onto First Street.
A series of flexible barrier posts placed at the center of Beal Parkway prevents vehicles from crossing into the path of oncoming traffic.
"The intersection of Beal Parkway and First Street is one of the highest crash locations in the City of Fort Walton Beach," said Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage.
An FDOT study found 35 vehicle crashes at this intersection from 2017 to 2022, and Bage notes that there have been more than 26 crashes at this location over the past 12 months. The FDOT study recommended a traffic light for the intersection, but currently, there is no funding available.
“As an intermediate step to improve safety, turning movements will be limited to right turns only, said Bage. “This should improve traffic safety in the area."
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The Okaloosa County School District (OCSD), in partnership with the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation (OPSF) and the Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast, is excited to invite families to a FREE Kindergarten and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Registration Family Movie on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Marquis Cinema, located at 2828 Richbourg Lane, Crestview. This fun, family-friendly event is designed to celebrate early learning milestones while helping families prepare for kindergarten. Families with children enrolling in VPK or kindergarten are encouraged to attend. “Kindergarten is the beginning of an incredible educational journey, and we are committed to helping families navigate that transition with confidence, support, and excitement,” said Amy Dale, OCSD Director of Elementary Curriculum. Read more...
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Free Books Available for Okaloosa Students Through New Worlds Reading Initiative
Okaloosa County families are encouraged to take advantage of the New Worlds Reading Initiative, which is accepting applications through July 12, 2026. The free program supports eligible students in VPK through 5th grade by providing books and resources designed to strengthen reading skills and encourage a love of reading at home. Families who apply will receive a package that includes nine books for the school year, two bonus summer books, engaging reading activities, and a children’s magazine, all delivered directly to their home at no cost. The initiative is designed to help students build confidence and improve literacy skills through consistent reading practice outside the classroom. Read more...
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OCSD Build Math Program Connects Elementary Students to Construction Careers through Hands-On Learning
The Okaloosa County School District's Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department is celebrating another successful year of its Build Math Program, an innovative initiative that helps elementary students connect classroom math skills to real-world careers in construction and the skilled trades. Now in its second year, the Build Math Program engaged students from Longwood Elementary School, Elliott Point Elementary School, and Wright Elementary School in hands-on activities designed to strengthen their understanding of fractions, measurements, problem-solving, teamwork, and basic construction concepts. By blending academic standards with career exploration, the program demonstrates how math is applied every day in high-demand careers while inspiring students to explore future opportunities in the skilled trades. Read more...
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Ready to map out your path to small business funding excellence? 🗺️💼 Securing the capital you need shouldn’t feel like a maze. Join the Florida SBDC at UWF for "A Roadmap to Small Business Funding" and discover actionable pathways to secure the financial foundation your business needs to thrive!
Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur looking to expand or just beginning your startup journey, this session provides the critical insights you need.
💻 Format: Virtual Webinar (Learn from anywhere!)
📅 Wednesday, July 15, 2026
🕒 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM CT
Don't let lack of capital hold your vision back. Secure your spot today! tinyurl.com/roadmap-july
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Did a traditional lender say no to your small business loan? 🛑 Don't let a "no" be the end of your entrepreneurial journey. Join the Florida SBDC at UWF for "When Banks Say No" and discover alternative financing strategies to keep your business moving forward!
This session is entirely focused on helping you secure the capital, loans, or vital financing needed to scale your operations when traditional routes fall short. Learn how to pivot your strategy and find the right financial partners.
💡 What we'll cover:
Understanding why traditional banks decline loans
Exploring alternative funding options and creative financing
Navigating requirements for non-traditional lenders
Accessing no-cost professional consulting to build your plan
💻 Format: Virtual Webinar (Join from anywhere!)
📅 Wednesday, July 22, 2026
🕒 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM CT
Take control of your business finances and keep your momentum going. tinyurl.com/banks-say-no-july
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Thinking about starting a home-based childcare business in the Fort Walton Beach area? The Florida SBDC at UWF is bringing our childcare workshop to you! This special evening session, sponsored by Regions Bank, is designed to help you navigate the specialized requirements of the childcare industry.
This session provides a clear roadmap for:
✅ Navigating state licensing and local regulations.
✅ Understanding legal structures and market demands.
✅ Building business foundations for a successful company.
Don't let the paperwork hold you back—gain the specific tools and confidence needed to launch your venture successfully!
📅 Date: Monday, July 27, 2026
🕒 Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Location: UWF Emerald Coast Campus
🔗 Register: tinyurl.com/childcare-fwb
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