Retention & Expansion Committee  l  eSynchronist   l   Job Creation

The goal of the Economic Development Council is to retain the jobs we have, create new jobs, increase the tax base, and support our quality of life and place.

The EDC serving Okaloosa County provides  business assistance in the areas of site and building location, identification and analysis, coordination of employee training for new and incumbent workers, retention assistance for employers and employees, tax credit and other financial assistance benefits for qualifying businesses, and facilitation of networking opportunities with compatible business entities. 

These activities support our current business industry base, secures jobs, and provide an environment for business and employment expansion.

As a non-profit organization, the EDC relies on its member companies for their financial and corporate citizen support.  The EDC created its Membership Retention and Expansion Committee as an avenue to better serve its members and the community's business leaders.

The EDC...
            servicing the growing needs of Okaloosa's economy!

Retention and Expansion Committee

Chairman, Chuck Shanklin
Shanklin Enterprises

Objectives

• Enhance the value of the EDC to its membership base

• Improve information exchange

• Engage member companies

Key Focus Groups

• Aerospace/Defense

• Development/Real Estate

• Financial

• Public/Government

• Serivces

eSynchronist Existing Industry Survey

As part of its business retention and expansion strategy, the EDC entered into an agreement with Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) to identify the workforce needs of the targeted industry employers in Okaloosa County. 

Aerospace/Defense, Life Sciences, Information Technology/Software Development, Electronics Engineering, Alternative Energy and Construction Services.

The e-Synchronist process involves an extensive survey utilized to identify the needs and growth potential of its existing industry base. Over 100 companies were interviewed at their place of business in a confidential format. The three top identifiers include 1) plans to expand in the next three years, 2) a lack of available local physical space, and 3) a shortness of required skilled labor pool.  The EDC is engaged in addressing each of these three needs via its business assistance program.

Successful Job Creation

*Note: Between 2008 and 2009, Okaloosa County lost approximately 3,000 residents as a result of the downsizing of Eglin's 33rd Fighter Wing in preparation for the incoming F-35, Joint Strike Fighter.

 Retention & Expansion Committee  l  eSynchronist   l   Job Creation

* To receive additional information on EDC membership retention and expansion contact Debbie Bodenstine, EDC Vice President Business Development & Public Affairs.