A technology entrepreneur who arrived in the United States from Taiwan in 1976 with $500 in his pocket received the key to the city of Fort Walton Beach during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

• Dr. Paul Hsu, founder of the HSU Educational Foundation, was honored by Mayor Nic Allegretto in what the mayor described as the first standalone key to the city. Past recognitions have typically come in the form of pins, awards or keys attached to plaques.

“This is something special that I wanted to bring into our city that other cities do, and I couldn’t think of a better first recipient than you, sir,” Allegretto said.

The mayor read a proclamation tying Hsu’s story to the nation’s 250th anniversary, noting that Hsu built a career as a technology entrepreneur and community leader before turning his focus to giving back. Through the HSU Educational Foundation, he brought together business leaders, educators and community partners to address workforce development through educational programming.

Allegretto credited not only Hsu’s vision but the staff, teachers, volunteers, mentors, donors and partners who carry the foundation’s mission forward.

Hsu, who has called the Fort Walton Beach area home for roughly 50 years with his wife, said the recognition belongs to more than just him.

• “This honor really belongs to everyone who worked with me for many years — friends, partners, community leaders — and share the same commitment that we believe that we’re gonna make this city a little better city and for our future generation,” Hsu said.

He called Fort Walton Beach the ideal place to raise a family, start a business and pursue the American dream.

“It really means a lot more for me because this is from my hometown,” Hsu said.