Some topics deserve a second look. This important issue could shape Okaloosa County for generations to come. Please take six minutes to learn why it matters.

Community Partner Spotlight

While AI has reshaped how customers receive service, Bit-Wizards remains committed to providing IT support with a human touch, making it a go-to for cyber solutions and protection across the Emerald Coast for more than 25 years.

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Bit-Wizards is urging local businesses to watch out for the costliest form of cybercrime per incident: Business Email Compromise (BEC). These attacks hit nearly 25,000 businesses in 2025, resulting in more than $3 billion in losses. Among the states most affected by BEC and other cybercrimes was Florida, which ranked third in the nation with 2,687 incidents, just behind California and Texas.

BEC can take many forms, but criminals often impersonate a trusted executive, vendor, or coworker to trick employees into sending money, sharing sensitive information, or granting access to company resources. And generative AI now helps attackers write seemingly authentic messages that sound like real colleagues, making these scams even harder to spot.

The good news is that simple countermeasures can go a long way. Bit-Wizards recommends independently verifying any request involving payments, banking changes, or sensitive data. Beyond verification, Bit-Wizards Managed IT Services can help implement additional safeguards, including:

·        Multifactor authentication (MFA)

·        Ongoing security awareness training

·        Advanced email filtering

·        Simulated phishing exercises



To learn more about Bit-Wizards’ cyber support and how it can strengthen defenses, get in touch.

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)

Lunch N Learns

Featured Chamber Events!

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!

As Okaloosa County recovers from Hurricane Isaias, we encourage residents with damage to report it via this link:

https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/8ce4fbeca4a34dc58a12d40bdd4866f1

Reporting storm damage allows for support in the way of federal and stat funding to flow to our community.

Post-storm update on City of Fort Walton Beach offices, facilities, and parks

We’re grateful for our employees’ efforts in protecting the city during the storm and working tirelessly through the days that followed to get the city operations back to normal. Many offices and facilities have resumed normal operations; some have not. 

Here’s an update:

City Parks – All city parks are open. Please use caution around downed trees.

Concerts at The Landing brought to you by Eglin Federal Credit Union - Resumed Friday (10/16). Two more concerts left in the series: Rockstarfish (Oct. 23) and Cat Rhodes & The Truth (Oct. 30).

Fort Walton Beach Public Library – Open normal hours.

Heritage Park and Cultural Center - Museum Store and historical buildings are open. The Indian Temple Mound Museum Gallery remains closed due to water damage.

Fort Walton Beach Golf Club - Driving Range and Clubhouse Grill are open. We hope to have the Pines Course reopened soon. Oaks Course will remain closed for now.

Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center – Rec Center and Preston Hood Athletic Complex are now open.

Growth Management Office (planning, zoning, permitting, CRA, etc) – Open as normal.

Fort Walton Beach City Hall - Sustained significant water damage from the storm. Offices at City Hall have been relocated to allow contractors to begin repairing the damage. 

Customer Service – Relocated to Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center at 132 Jet Drive NW. Same hours and telephone numbers. For more information, visit fwb.org/customerservice.

Human Resources - Relocated to Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center at 132 Jet Drive NW. Same hours and telephone numbers. For more information, visit fwb.org/jobs.

Fort Walton Beach City Council and other public meetings – Have been moved to the Growth Management Conference Room, located next to City Hall at 105 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW.

Upcoming events

·                    Friday, Oct. 23, Trunk-or-Treat at the FWB Recreation Center (6-8 pm)

·                    Saturday, Oct. 24, Fall Arts and Craft Fair, FWB Recreation Center (9am-1pm)

·                    Saturday, Oct. 24, Emerald Coast Authors’ Expo, FWB Public Library (10am)

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Okaloosa County School District Launch Operation Jingle Bells to Bring Holiday Joy to Students in Need

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Okaloosa County School District are once again partnering to bring holiday joy to students through Operation Jingle Bells. This annual initiative supports children and families in need during the holiday season, thanks to the incredible generosity of district employees, local businesses, community organizations, and caring individuals throughout Okaloosa County. While the holidays are a time of celebration for many families, some children face the season without necessities such as clothing, shoes, or gifts. Through Operation Jingle Bells, school guidance counselors and school resource officers work together to identify students who may need additional support and create holiday wish lists. Read more...

OCSD VPK Program Earns Excellent Rating in Summer Accountability Results

The Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) celebrates Southside Primary School’s achievement after the Florida Department of Education released the 2025–2026 Summer Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program Accountability results. Southside Primary School earned an “Excellent” rating, highlighting the district’s commitment to providing high-quality early learning experiences that prepare young students for kindergarten and establish a strong foundation for future academic success. Read more...

Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation Announces 6th Annual BBQ & Bingo Fundraiser

The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation (OPSF) invites the community to mark their calendars for its 6th Annual BBQ & Bingo Fundraising Event on Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Okaloosa Gas “The District,” located at 511 Government Avenue in Valparaiso. The annual event brings together community members, educators, families, and supporters for an evening of BBQ, Bingo, live music, and auctions, while raising funds to support educational opportunities for students, teacher grants, and innovative learning initiatives throughout the Okaloosa County School District. Read more...