Growth Management

     Growth management is known a set of techniques used  to ensure that as a population grows that there are services available to meet their demands. These demands are not only government services, they include protection of natural spaces, sufficient and affordable housing, delivery of utilities, preservation of buildings and places of historical value, transportation, and sufficient places to conduct the growth of businesses.

Our region is facing tremendous population growth and its related quality of life challenges as a result of the 2005 BRAC realignments to our area.  As the lead business advocate for the county, the EDC and its Defense Support Initiative are committed to assisting our municipalities, communities, business leaders and residents in the impending challenges facing our tri-county region as a result of these military realignments. 

In response to the demanding need to identify accurate numbers of realignment personnel and the timeline, the EDC engage the University of West Florida Haas Center to conduct an economic impact analysis of the tri-county area.  This UWF study identifies those activities that would not occur in the tri-county region were it not for the proposed BRAC 2005 realignments. 

Economic Impact of Military Personnel Realignments Analysis
July 2007

Annual Net BRAC Impact Figures

Source: UWF Haas Center, July 2007

In response to the 2005 BRAC realignment personnel coming to the Eglin Complex, Eglin AFB created its growth management initiative Vision 2015.  In tandem, Okaloosa County created their Eglin Installation Growth Committee as their growth management plan.  Concurrently, pockets of civic groups around the tri-county area are doing the same to include a four-county initiative by the Governor, the Committee for a Sustainable Emerald Coast.

Vision 2015

In preparation for the incoming BRAC realignment personnel and their families, Eglin Air Force Base conducted a public summit on growth management in May 2006, Vision 2015.  The objective was to foster collaboration between Eglin AFB and the communities.  Working together with joint-use of land, infrastructure, and construction, the military community and the public communities can accomplish more together than separately.

Federal, state, local and military representatives discussed the status of new units moving to Eglin Air Force Base, regional growth challenges facing the communities, such as transportation, affordable housing, schools, and the success of collaborative planning. 

Vision 2015 Presentations
Please note that due to size, some presentations may take a minute to load.

• Maj. General Jeff Riemer, Commander, AAC, Introduction
  Why We Need the 2015 Summit

• Sean Garretson, TIP Strategies, Austin, Texas
  Diversifying the Economy of Northwest Florida

• Thaddeus Cohen, Secretary, Florida DCA
  Initiatives for Strategic Growth

• Richard Tenga, Office of Secretary of Defense-Office Economic Adjustment
  Joint Land Use Study & Growth Management Plan

• Lt. Gen. Gordon Fornell, U.S.A.F. Ret.
   Eglin - Community Partnership Legacy

• Robert Arnold, Chairman, Eglin Mission Enhancement Committee
  Vision 2015--A Look Ahead

• Commissioner Sherry Campbell, Okaloosa County Chairman
   Proactive Approach Needed For Upcoming Military Expansions

• Maj. General Jeff Riemer, Commander, AAC, Closing Remarks, and Q&A
  Missing Pieces of the Puzzle

The public forum presented the current challenges, successes to date, and what we need to do now as a community. 

The Future is Heading Our Way (PowerPoint Presentation)
Mr. Robert Arnold, Chairman, EAFB Mission Enhancement Committee
November 21, 2006 Vision 2015 Vector Check

Vision 2015 Vector Check II

Eglin AFB hosted their second Vector Check November 1, 2007 with sponsorship provided by the Okaloosa EDC.   Approximately 100 community leaders from the tri-county area participated.

Vector Check Speakers and Presentations

• Robert Arnold
  Meeting Overview

• Brig Gen Wilson
  Eglin AFB

• Brig Gen Heithold
  Hurlburt Field

• Robert Arnold
  Vision 2015 Initiatives

• Don Amunds
  Commissioner Okaloosa County

• Don Salter
  Commissioner Santa Rosa County

• Scott Brannon
  Commissioner Walton County

• Michael Bomar
  Tetra Tech, Inc.

• Dr. Rick Harper
  UWF Haas Center

• Michelle Anchors
  Committee Sustainable Emerald Coast

Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners
Eglin Installation Growth Committee

In support of Eglin’s Vision 2015, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners initiated their three-county Eglin Installation Growth Committee.  The umbrella of this committee consists of twelve executive committee members with eleven sub-committees.  Each sub-committee will discuss issues related to their topic, identify challenges and develop strategies to address those challenges.  The sub-committees will then share this information with the Executive Committee which reports to the county and ultimately EAFB.  The goal of the Board of County Commissioners is a long-term strategic plan on growth management.  The EDC and DSI have representation on multiple levels in the executive committee and in sub-committees.

Okaloosa County BRAC Webpage

Committee for a Sustainable Emerald Coast

 In August of 2006, Governor Jeb Bush appointed Emerald Coast leaders from education, government, conservation, and business to serve as members of the Committee for a Sustainable Emerald Coast.  Governor Bush convened this Committee to bring together public and private interests, concerns and communities in the four county region consisting of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties.

The Committee is considering issues of long range planning that will help the region prepare for the next generation.  The primary issues of concern fall into the categories of:

• Sustainable Growth and Development

• Economic Diversity and Prosperity

• Environmental Stewardship

• Education, Health Care and Culture

The Committee will evaluate and make action recommendations concerning these issues and report to Governor Charlie Crist in January 2008.

Committee for a Sustainable Emerald Coast Website

      The Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County, and its Defense Support Initiative Committee, both supports and participates in these growth management plans as part of its endearing commitment as the lead business advocate organization committed to the growth and diversity of Okaloosa County's economy.

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