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(Discount only applies to First Friday Coffee, Nothing But Networking, & Business After Hours)

Upcoming Committee Meetings: Are you seeking opportunities for professional development and personal growth. Come to one or all nine of our chamber committees to see what the buzz is about!

Check out these short tutorial videos that provide a step-by-step guide on how to navigate through the online Member Information Center (MIC). These instructional videos will show you how to update your profile, add keywords, add job postings, register for chamber events/add your benefit discount, add events to chamber community calendar, pay invoices and much more!

Thanks to everyone who came out to Florida's Greatest Hurricane Preparedness Party at the Hurricane Prep Expo! Thanks also to the vendors, speakers and agencies who presented a bountiful supply of useful information to prepare people for the upcoming hurricane season.

PREPARE NOW. DON'T PANIC LATER - Hurricane guides can be picked up at the Okaloosa County Administration Building at 1250 N Eglin Parkway or online at https://myokaloosa.com/ps/emergency-management

Okaloosa County Department of Corrections staff have encountered multiple recent instances of individuals falsely posing as bail bondsmen to families of inmates housed within the Okaloosa County Jail.

These individuals contact family members of inmates and claim to be able to bond their family members out of jail if they are given payment in the form of gift card numbers or virtual payments such as Cash App or Venmo in various dollar amounts.

Members of the public need to know that legitimate bail bond agents have statutorily imposed restrictions on solicitation. They are further required to provide their clients with a contract, a receipt, an advisement of terms, and contact information for their governing body for the purpose of making a complaint. Bonding Agents will not reach out to families to notify them of an arrest.

If you contact a registered bonding agent, they will arrange to meet you in person, at their office or the jail, to provide you with the required information and to accept payment for their service. Defendants and Indemnitors are required to sign all documents and receipts in person. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating these cases. Members of the community who encounter these situations should immediately notify the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Marine life in the Gulf of Mexico now has hundreds of additional underwater habitats thanks to a $1.26 million artificial reef project funded by the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Fund.

The project included 133 different reef sites and the deployment of 279 total reef structures ranging from 6-25 feet. The project was managed by the Coastal Resources team of Destin-Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County’s Tourism Development Department. The reefs include some of the deepest modules ever deployed by Destin-Fort Walton Beach with depths ranging from 65-292 feet.

This project also included 3D-printed modules that were deployed in late February and are the first of its kind in the Gulf of Mexico. Overall, the project involved six total deployment days spanning from February to early May and involved contractors Walter Marine and 1Print who performed the construction and deployment work.

The project was 100% grant-funded from the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Fund which is administered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Fort Walton Beach Public Library mural project taking shape

Last week mural artist Christina Donahoe with Christina Custom Art finished the second of five panels that she is painting on the back of the Fort Walton Beach Public Library. Each panel is designed to look like a library shelf, with themes that reflect the history of our community. “My goal was to educate people about the area,” said Donahoe. “I wanted to let people know what Fort Walton Beach was all about. So, if I can promote the library and reading that’s a win-win.”

The murals will feature “selfie” backgrounds depicting local scenery that visitors can use.

The mural is part of a project that will turn what is currently a vacant lot on Ferry Road SE into a community park with a small stage, landscaping and picnic benches.

Billy Bowlegs uses “secret weapon” to take over the City of Fort Walton Beach

Captain Billy Bowlegs stormed the Fort Walton Beach Landing Saturday with hundreds of pirates in tow but managed to capture the city without so much as a harsh word. Captain Billy’s secret weapon…Elvis…belted out a rendition of Blue Suede Shoes to the cheers of those gathered. Realizing he’d been bested in the “sing-off” competition, Mayor Dick Rynearson surrendered and presented Captain Billy with the Key to the City of Fort Walton Beach. The waiting crowd was rewarded with beads and cups as they posed for pictures with the pirates. 

Preston Hood Chevrolet donates 2024 Chevrolet Equinox to the City of Fort Walton Beach

The City of Fort Walton Beach would like to thank Preston Hood Chevrolet for their donation of a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox SUV to be used at the Preston Hood Athletic Complex. Preston Hood Chevrolet Dealer Taylor Hood and dealership staff met with Fort Walton Beach City Manager Jeff Peters and city staff at the Preston Hood Athletic Complex on May 1, 2024, to present the new vehicle.

“We’re honored to donate this new Chevy Equinox to help support operations at the Fort Walton Beach Preston Hood Athletic Complex,” said Preston Hood Chevrolet Dealer Taylor Hood. “This SUV is the perfect vehicle to help on the complex grounds and across the community.” The 34-acre Preston Hood Athletic Complex, established in 2015 with Preston Hood’s donation, is located directly across from the dealership at 132 Jet Drive NW in Fort Walton Beach.

Considered the Gulf Coast’s premier location to host youth sports, the facility features seven baseball/softball fields, four beach volleyball courts, three soccer fields, several multi-use fields, a one-mile walking path, and a skate park. A planned expansion will add additional soccer fields and parking along the south side of the complex.

The new vehicle will be used by recreation staff at the Preston Hood Athletic Complex and at many of the city’s 30 other parks and recreational facilities. “The amount of support that Preston Hood has given to the City of Fort Walton Beach over the years has been outstanding, and we can’t thank you enough for this,” said Jeff Peters as he accepted the keys from Taylor Hood. “We really do appreciate it.”

Okaloosa County School District Highlights Mental Health Awareness Month



During May, Okaloosa County Schools and District offices will observe Mental Health Awareness Month by engaging in fun activities focused on helping our school communities, students, and staff promote mental wellness, providing mental health resources, and helping foster conversations at home around mental wellness. Mental Health is not merely the absence of illness but rather a state of thriving and resilience. By empowering teachers, engaging parents, fostering community support, and addressing stigma, we pave the way for a brighter, more compassionate future, especially for our children! If you or your child need help with mental wellness, please see our list of OCSD Counseling Resources. Read more...

Okaloosa County School District to Offer Education Summer Camps



In June, the Okaloosa County School District will host several Career and Technical Education (CTE) Summer Camps for rising 5th and 8th graders. The camp's design is to inspire young students to learn more about CTE career fields. Campers will have options ranging from hands-on skills in building trades, welding, and bio-medical to learning web and app design and coding in computer camps. All camps will be operated by experienced Okaloosa County teachers and will take place at Choctawhatchee High School, Crestview High School, Fort Walton High School, Davidson Middle School, and Shoal River Middle School. Read more...

Embark on a path towards a more sustainable and cost-effective future for your business with this virtual Tech Talk Tuesday presentation and discussion. Discover cutting-edge technologies and eco-friendly solutions that not only reduce your environmental footprint but also contribute to significant time and cost savings for your small business. Register now to join our local Small Business Development Center and fantastic local business SNH Technologies' expert Russel Hale.tinyurl.com/sustainable-tech-saves

Explore how to craft a compelling Elevator Pitch to captivate your audience, and master the art of using it to secure crucial funding for your business endeavors. Reserve your place at this powerful workshop in partnership with your Small Business Development Center, Veterans Florida, and Beachworx in Fort Walton Beach!

tinyurl.com/elevator-pitch-sbdc