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Globalization: refers to increasing global/international connectivity, integration and interdependence

With the world becoming smaller and flatter with the use of technology, doing business with your neighbors now means doing business
with China and/or Brazil.

The Council’s primary objectives are:

• facilitate existing industry growth, diversity, retention and expansion

• develop a technically skilled and available workforce

• attract and recruit targeted industries

Part of the EDC’s mission is to provide more stability and resiliency to the business climate in our tri-county area.  Expanding our international business development activity is part of that mission.  This will include foreign direct investment and import/export.

EDC’s Goal

• Diversify the region,

• Expand its outreach capabilities

• Increase international business

• Create long-term global competitiveness

• Support and maintain the economy’s resiliency

The EDC's goals include working with, supporting and promoting the international growth expected with the international coalition fighter locating at Eglin AFB.

Okaloosa County is equipped to expand its globalization efforts:

• The intellectual capital is more abundant than elsewhere in the region (UWF Technology 2000 Study).

• A high percentage of the military retirees (average age of 44 years) possess an understanding of international cultures.

• A large percentage of our tourism includes Canada, Europe, Asia, and South America.

• Research facilities consisting of the Air Force, universities, and the private-sector will attract foreign technical workers.

• The development of a new research campus will focus on attracting R&D facilities from U.S. and foreign investors.

Okaloosa County's Aerospace/Aviation Hub

Okaloosa County offers an industrial airpark in the northern section of the county just north of Interstate 10.  This airpark has been targeted as a central location for

• Aerospace Maintenance Facility Hub

• Cargo Hub

• Aviation Industry Cluster

Swedish-American Trade

In 2008, the EDC partnered with Erik Steinberg of the Swedish-American Connection to foster a relationship of culture, education, tourism and business for the two regions. The regions of Värmland, Sweden and the Emerald Coast in Northwest Florida share similarities in their cultural and economic collateral.    A Business Expo was held promoting international trade and investment; an educational student exchange partnership developed; and a Sister-City relationship between the City of Fort Walton Beach and Kristeinehamn has been structured.

Tourism-Retail-Investment-Business Connections
The Okaloosa County Economic Development Council hosted a business expo on March 3, 2009 to facilitate the business connections between the Värmland region of Sweden and the Emerald Coast. This relationship will support our local economic engine through tourism, retail and business connections and investment. This business expo was in conjunction with an establish week-long annual international professional tennis tournament supporting tourism and retail for our area. 

Identified Compatible Industries

• Computer Software Applications

• Renewable energy

• Orthopedic and Sports Medicine

This week of international exchange is also supported by the City of Fort Walton Beach, Enterprise Florida, and the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce.  A long term goal of this collaboration is the development of a Sister-City relationship between Fort Walton Beach, Florida and Värmland, Sweden.  Business leaders from the Fort Walton Beach area, to include the City of Fort Walton Beach Mayor, traveled to Kristinehamn, Sweden in June 2008 to continue to foster this relationship.  A trade mission for Swedish companies to visit Fort Walton Beach is schedule for March 2010.

Swedes Arrive Tuesday
March 1, 2009, Thomas Monigan, Northwest Florida Daily News
Tuesday, the Swedish-American Business Expo makes its debut at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island. Trade Show Exhibits are from·10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with an evening social from 6 p.m. until midnight.

Swedish Expo Aims to Link Businesses Ventures
March 4, 2009, Thomas Monigan, Northwest Florida Daily News
Okaloosa County took the first official steps Tuesday to forge business links between Sweden and the Emerald Coast. About 100·people attended the inaugural Swedish-American Business Expo at the Emerald Coast Conference Center: About one-third of them were Swedish, said Kay Rasmussen from the Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County.

Trade Mission
The Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce, City of Fort Walton Beach and Enterprise Florida partnered for a Trade Mission in Värmland, Sweden in March 2010.  This Trade Mission was custom tailored for business matchmaking for companies and organizations that wanted to explore the markets and obtain information on feasible partnering, agents, distributors, and investors.

Business Leaders Tout Area to Visiting Swedes
March 16, 2010, Dusty Ricketts Daily News
Stenberg, the director of the Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center and a native of Kristinehamn, Sweden, hosted a Swedish-American business meeting Tuesday at the Holiday Inn along with the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council and Enterprise Florida.

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How To

April 1, 2009 FAR District 9 International Summit

Resources for International Trade

Enterprise Florida International Trade and Sales Missions

Contact Andrea Moore, Regional Manager International Trade Development with Enterprise Florida for information on these and other international missions.

A listing of Okaloosa County businesses may be viewed on the EDC membership page.

Objectives  l  Swedish-American Relations  l  How To  l  Resources  l  Trade Missions