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Economic Development

WHY SANTA ROSA COUNTY?

Santa Rosa County continues to military retirees and our skilled work-
make strides in economic development force, make Santa Rosa County an ideal
through innovative thinking and build- choice for companies large and small. Santa Rosa County is
ing more in-depth relationships with Visit the website www.SantaRo- growing and thriving.
site selectors and industry leaders. saEDO.com for more details. Our pro-business
We stay continuously motivated to attitude, proven
further enhance the speed of market for economic performance
businesses looking to locate to Santa and quality of life result
Rosa County while helping current in numerous inquiries
businesses in our area improve. from businesses and
One of the ways we have sought to manufacturers from all
enhance the speed of market for busi- corners of the nation
nesses and have a long-lasting impact while many established
on our area is through the Florida First businesses are
Sites Certification Program. It is an experiencing growth and
initiative spearheaded by Gulf Power expansion.
to have industrial sites certified by a
nationally known site-location com- UWF SMALL BUSINESS
pany, McCallum Sweeney Consulting. DEVELOPMENT CENTER
As the site selection process speeds Business Administration, Defense
up every year, we must be armed with The Florida SBDC at the University Logistics Agency, State of Florida and
ample data to answer all possible ques- of West Florida provides tools, training other private and public partners, with
tions on a vacant site. Two publicly and resources to help entrepreneurs in the University of West Florida serving
owned sites have completed certifica- every stage of business and all industry as the network’s designated lead host
tion; the Northwest Florida Industrial sectors grow and succeed. institution and its direct supporter.
Park at Interstate 10 is now a certified As part of a statewide service network The Florida SBDC Network is state-
site and the Santa Rosa Industrial Park of more than 40 centers, the FSBDC designated as Florida’s principal
East (on Jeff Ates Road) property is now at UWF is based in the UWF College provider of small business assistance
a certified park. Information on these of Business and maintains full-service and is nationally accredited by the
sites can be found at www.floridafirst- offices in Pensacola and Fort Walton Association of SBDCs.
sites.com. Beach, serving business communities It uses the expertise and resources
Another way Santa Rosa County in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and of the University of West Florida’s
is helping businesses is by having a Walton counties. College of Business and the Associa-
resounding presence on the web with Since 1976, Florida’s SBDC Net- tion of SBDCs on a local, regional and
the building and sites database found at work has helped construct a statewide national level to best meet the needs of
www.SantaRosaSites.com. It is being ecosystem to foster the spirit, support its clients.
used to showcase the various avail- and success of hundreds of thousands of Its team can help you accelerate busi-
able facilities and properties in our area entrepreneurs and innovators. ness growth, generate wealth, create
along with community demographic It is funded in part by the U.S. Small and save jobs, and expand the economy.
information for companies and site
selectors.
The site allows users to view, create
and print maps, find available commer-
cial or business property, and develop
custom demographic radius reports.
With over 97 percent of initial site-
selection screenings completed online,
it is crucial that our county provides the
data businesses need in a comprehen-
sive, online format.
This site meets that need by gather-
ing economic, planning, infrastructure,
geographic and demographic informa-
tion often sought by businesses looking
to relocate or expand into a "one-stop-
shop" business portal on the web.
These efforts, along with our out-
standing schools, high concentration of