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Pensacola named one of Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 10 Best Small Cities” in 2023

"Florida certainly has no shortage of beautiful beaches, but few places have the blindingly white sand and Caribbean-blue waters you’ll find in and around this town. Head to the nearby barrier islands for the best (and least crowded) stretches of sand: Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island is often cited as the crown jewel of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, complete with dolphin-rich waters and sand so soft you’d swear you were walking on baby powder." ~ Conde Nast Traveler.


Read more here.

Pensacola International Airport wins Commercial Service Airport Project of the Year Award for Project Titan

 

“This award is a testament to the visionary leadership and hard work of all the stakeholders involved in the Titan Element 1 project.”

~ Pensacola International Airport Director Matt Coughlin


Pensacola International Airport has been honored with the Commercial Service Airport Project of the Year award by the Florida Department of Transportation for Project Titan Element 1, ST Engineering’s second hangar at the airport. This recognition was announced at the FDOT Annual Aviation Awards Ceremony, held as part of the Florida Airports Council Annual Conference from July 23-26, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Florida.


Read more here.


BlueWind celebrates build of

1500th nacelle

BlueWind Technology is celebrating its 1500th nacelle produced at the manufacturing company’s Pensacola facility. A nacelle is a cover that houses a wind turbine’s system components such as the generator, gear box and controller.


BlueWind has been operating in Pensacola since 2019 and supplies nacelles to GE Renewable Energy. FloridaWest was instrumental in helping to recruit the company to Pensacola where they’ve grown from 1 to 130 employees in just three years.


Read more here.


BREAKING NEWS! BlueWind named as GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch honoree!

Read more here

CO:LAB’s Patrick Rooney Leanstack Certified

FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance has announced team member Patrick Rooney, CO:LAB Director of Entrepreneurial Development, has completed Leanstack Level-1 Coach Training and is now Leanstack Certified.


Read more here.


Pensacola Ranks in top 100 Best American Cities

“The smallest city in our ranking shines as bright as its Gulf of Mexico white-sand beaches. History and proximity to Alabama help explain the vibe: Southern hospitality, ironwork balconies and historic bars.”


Read more here.


A great quality of life on the Gulf Coast

“Some people think all the innovation has to come out of Silicon Valley or Boston, but I really feel, especially in health care, we can create these entities where we are,” said Dr. Sunil Gupta. “The Gulf Coast has the workforce and the ability to do whatever we want to do. I think we have a great quality of life, and we can attract some amazing people.”



Read more here.

Triumph Gulf Coast Approves $8.5 Million Grant for Port of Pensacola


“Today is a huge step in making Pensacola, Florida the sailing capital of the United States.” - Mayor D.C. Reeves


The City of Pensacola is announced the approval of an $8.5 million grant for the Port of Pensacola to complete renovations to Warehouse 10, which will allow American Magic to permanently relocate their headquarters to the Port of Pensacola.


Triumph Gulf Coast voted to authorize city staff to move forward with term sheet negotiation for the $8.5 million grant, which will include design, renovation and completion of the partially completed Warehouse 10 at the Port of Pensacola. Renovations will include a 50-foot addition, along with design and construction of a dock and boat ramp.


Read more here.

Welcome 2023-24 Board Members


FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance

  • President - David Bear, Lewis Bear Company
  • Vice President - Ryan Tilley,The Institute for Human & Machine Cognition, Escambia County Appointee
  • Secretary - Dr. Charletha Powell, Educator & Entrepreneur, FloridaWest Appointee
  • Treasurer - Olevia McNally, Envision Physician Services, Escambia County Appointee
  • Past President - Rick Byars, Florida Power and Light
  • City of Pensacola Appointee - Donnie McMahon, McMahon & Hadder Insurance
  • Member - Don Palmer, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority
  • Member - Jim Waite, Baskerville-Donovan, Inc.
  • City of Pensacola Appointee - Matt Davis, Hancock Whitney


Pensacola - Escambia County Promotion and Development Commission

  • Chairman - David Peaden, Florida Power and Light
  • Vice Chairman - Steven Barry, (District 5), Board of County Commissioners of Escambia County, Escambia County Appointee
  • Secretary/Treasurer - Councilwoman Allison Patton, Pensacola City Council Member Appointee
  • FloridaWest Board Appointee - Dave Hoxeng, Past Chairman, ADX Communications
  • City of Pensacola Appointee - Dr. Lusharon Wiley, Innisfree Hotels
  • Pensacola City Council Member Appointee - Councilman Charles Bare
  • Escambia County Appointee - County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh (District 1), Board of County Commissioners of Escambia County
  • Century Town Council Member Appointee - Alicia Johnson, Century Town Council Seat Four 
  • FloridaWest Board Appointee - Erica Grancagnolo, City of Pensacola

Operation Next Job Training

Operation Next is a Department of Defense-funded and SkillBridge-approved program that provides military personnel, spouses, dependents and veterans with free training in advanced manufacturing skills.


Read more here.

A note from FloridaWest


Community Leaders & Friends of FloridaWest,


This newsletter is the first in a new series of monthly communications you’ll be receiving from FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance.  The Pensacola/Escambia County community has an abundance of advantages and resources for new and expanding businesses, and telling our story is part of the responsibility we have in growing our local economy. 


Our focus is on both the creation of employment opportunities for our citizens, as well as capital investment — the most important two performance metrics of any economic development program. In this newsletter, you’ll see examples of local economic growth and an emphasis on what makes our community a great place, not only to do business, but also to live and work. 


Some of our communications are sent to our corporate contacts involved in business site selection, while other information is intended more for local leaders. Either way, broadening perspectives and enhancing awareness of Pensacola's and Escambia County’s many advantages is important to our future.


Speaking of being attracted to live and work here, I am a newcomer myself!  What brought my wife and me to Pensacola is the same thing that most people are interested in — an exceptional quality of life. This wonderful Gulf Coast city, so rich in history and tradition, combined with outstanding local leadership, is now well-positioned to grow through advanced technology, industry and professional services.  


I am excited to be here and to help greater Pensacola achieve its economic growth potential. We look forward to assisting you, and we thank you for your support.


Sincerely,

Brian Hilson, CEO, FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance

EVENTS

Taco Thursday at CO:LAB Pensacola


CO:LAB hosts Taco Thursday 🌮 for its Resident Entrepreneurs the 4th Thursday of every month! 


Taco Thursday is all about enjoying scrumptious tacos, learning, sharing best practices and encouraging each other. 


The last Thursday of every month, noon at CO:LAB.


Guests are welcome, just email us for reservations as seating is limited. 


Tacos sponsored by FPL. 🌮 nomnom.



1 Million Cups at CO:LAB Pensacola


1 Million Cups ☕ is your monthly opportunity to get together with other entrepreneurs and talk shop. 


You'll hear local entrepreneurs introduce their businesses and discuss your own small business with other like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators over coffee and conversation. 


We'll have the coffee ☕ ready, you bring the ideas!


The first Wednesday of every month, 9:00 a.m. at CO:LAB.

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FloridaWest EDA | 3 West Garden Street #618| 850-898-2201 | floridawesteda.com