Community Partner Spotlight | | |
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| | February New Member Luncheon: Kimberley Claar-Johnson, Home Builders Institute - HBI | Amy Herf, Peoples Health Services | Stephanie & Karomenya Reynolds, Bowled Healthy Food Company | Tracy Peaker, Refuel Bootcamp Fort Walton | Haily Joens, Smallcakes FWB/Shalimar | Judy Musteric, Stitcher's Quest | Aly Aguirre, Fyzical Therapy (Future Member) | Frank & Karen Bennett, Loan Depot | Deniese Dietrich, Spiritual Massage | Rik Sarver & Ron Bennett, Lift Me Up Staging | Chris Dover, Global Payments (Future Member) | | 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 recently completed 2,000 feet of living shoreline constructed in the Choctawhatchee Bay. This multi-year effort utilized a cost-effective, nature-based solution to mitigate erosion and enhance the ecosystem surrounding nearby Veterans Park and Marler Park. The installation of this living shoreline is much more cost-effective than traditional shoreline barriers and coincides with the proper intention of these parks for visitors while recognizing the importance of the natural surroundings. The project funding consists of $1.5 million in tourism bed tax revenue, a $1.5 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and $1.6 million from the RESTORE Council through the Gulf Consortium.
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Fort Walton Beach unveils new police and fire boats
The City of Fort Walton Beach recently unveiled two new boats that have entered service with the City's police and fire departments.
The Police Department boat is a Patrol 23 marine enforcement vessel powered by twin Yamaha 115-horsepower outboard engines. The 23-foot boat features a rigid hull with an inflatable collar designed for superior stability, rapid response, and safe operations in all conditions.
This vessel will serve as the City’s primary law enforcement presence on the water, supporting emergency response, search and rescue operations, and joint dive operations in partnership with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
The boat will also allow officers to conduct proactive patrols to protect Fort Walton Beach’s waterways, address derelict vessels, combat illegal pontoon boat rental activity, and mitigate hazards to safe navigation.
The $134,000 vessel was funded through Half-Cent Sales Surtax revenues, with an additional $11,000 in specialized emergency response equipment funded by the Law Enforcement Trust Fund through the seizure of criminal assets.
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The Fire Department's boat is an Explorer 32 fire/rescue vessel, powered by twin Suzuki 300hp outboard engines, the maintenance of which will be covered by Suzuki USA.
The 32-foot boat includes a bow door with a dive platform for search and rescue operations, an enclosed cabin, and a 1000-gallon-per-minute onboard pump and LDH (large hose discharge) nozzle system for water-based firefighting.
The boat will be used in both firefighting and rescue operations and will be a crucial tool in providing support for water-based emergencies, protecting waterfront properties, and managing incidents along the city’s extensive coastline.
The Fire Department has also created a dive team, with about a dozen of the department's firefighters now dive certified.
The $491,000 fire/rescue boat was purchased using a Department of Homeland Security grant, along with revenue from the Okaloosa County half-cent infrastructure surtax. The federal grant covers 75 percent of the approximately $491,000 cost of the boat, with the half-cent surtax funds covering the remaining 25 percent.
The City of Fort Walton Beach thanks the many local businesses that generously donated thousands of dollars’ worth of services, dive and marine safety equipment, and accessories for the fire/rescue boat.
The acquisition of these boats marks a significant advancement in the City’s maritime safety, search and rescue, and natural resource protection capabilities.
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Superintendent Marcus Chambers Reflects on a Strong First Semester Across Okaloosa County Schools
As we reflect on the first semester of the 2025 school year, I am incredibly proud of the progress taking place across the Okaloosa County School District. Guided by our district pillars: Academic Excellence, Continuous Learning, Student Focused, Safer Schools, Modern Innovation, and Community Engagement, the first semester demonstrated what is possible when students, staff, families, and community partners work together with a shared commitment to success. While there is much to celebrate, we must also confront the realities facing public education today. Read more...
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Fort Walton Beach High School to Host Third Annual Viking Voyage Career Fair
Fort Walton Beach High School will host its Third Annual Viking Voyage Career Fair on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the school gymnasium, bringing together students, businesses, and community partners for a meaningful day of career exploration and connection. Read more...
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Okaloosa County Schools Celebrated Literacy Week, Florida, While Honoring America 250
The Okaloosa County School District proudly celebrated Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida, January 26–30, 2026, engaging students across the district in meaningful literacy experiences while supporting America 250, the nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. This year’s theme, “Read, White, and Blue: Celebrating 250 Chapters of America!”, aligned with the district’s ongoing commitment to civics education and civic literacy. Throughout the week, students explored literature connected to American history, democratic principles, and the diverse voices and stories that have shaped our nation, reinforcing the district’s role in preparing informed, engaged citizens. Read more...
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SEO is changing faster than ever! 🌐 From ChatGPT to Google’s AI Overviews, the way your customers find you is evolving.
Are you prepared for AEO and GEO? If those acronyms are new to you, you won't want to miss our latest webinar on February 25th! We’re sharing the exact strategies you need to stay visible in AI-driven search results and voice queries.
What you’ll learn:
🔹 How AI search engines choose which brands to cite.
🔹 The difference between SEO and Generative Engine Optimization.
🔹 Practical tips to optimize for voice search today.
Stay ahead of the curve and keep your brand at the top of the (AI) list!
🗓️ Save your spot: tinyurl.com/febr-ai
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