SCHOOL

FDOT to host Northwest Florida Construction Career Days for local students

Over 1,000 high school students will be treated to an interactive glimpse into the transportation construction industry during the 3rd Annual Northwest Florida Construction Career Days (CCD), April 25-26, at the Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds, 8604 Bobby Brown Road, Milton.

• The event will provide students with the opportunity to operate heavy machinery and learn about bridge construction, paving, concrete, traffic control, engineering, and more.

Students will be introduced to the large number of career paths available in the transportation, structural, engineering, and building industries, and will be able to interact with representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), as well as various engineering firms and contractors looking to hire in the Northwest Florida area.

According to FDOT, high school seniors who attend Construction Career Days in-person or virtually are eligible to receive a portion of up to $50,000 in scholarship funds that will be awarded this year.

• The scholarship fund was established to assist high school graduates enrolling in college, trade/vocational education programs, or those entering directly into the workforce.

With billions of dollars of construction activity lined up for the next decade and entry-level workers in high demand, FDOT District Three says they are working diligently to create a pipeline of workforce and economic opportunities for the next generation.

“Not only does this event give students a unique chance to explore career opportunities that have substantial benefits and add tremendous value to their communities, but it also allows FDOT and its industry partners to connect with young people of all backgrounds and skill levels,” wrote FDOT in a statement. “Students over the age of 18 will be able to fill out applications for hiring companies during the event.”

Note: This event is for participating schools only and is not open to the public.

MESSAGE FROM ERA AMERICAN REAL ESTATE

Okaloosa County Rental Market Update: Prices expected to stabilize amid supply issues

The rental market in Okaloosa County has experienced significant price increases since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is some good news on the horizon, as rental prices are expected to stabilize, according to Keith Wood, Vice President of Residential Property Management and Commercial Real Estate at ERA American Real Estate in Shalimar.

“While we may not be expecting prices to go down per se, we are expecting things to start stabilizing,” Wood said.

Despite this stabilization, tenants will still face a supply issue, forcing them to navigate multiple applications that they’re competing against. Wood explained that Okaloosa County’s rental inventory fluctuates from month to month, but as of Monday, there were about 158 available rental properties.

Wood also mentioned that military personnel in the area can impact the availability of rentals: “The availability could fluctuate because of the military getting orders and moving out before that year-to-year cycle that’s typical with a tenancy.”

The county’s rental inventory varies depending on property size. Studios and one-bedroom apartments are in particularly short supply, while larger homes are more readily available.

• “Once you start getting up into three and four bedrooms, there’s a lot more availability and landlords have picked up on that,” said Wood.

With limited options for smaller rentals, many people are now considering finding roommates to have more options. “If you can find a roommate that fully qualifies with you and apply for a residence that accepts roommates, you may have a lot more options available to you,” Wood advised.

As for the areas with the most available inventory, the Fort Walton Beach-Mary Esther-Shalimar area is leading the way, closely followed by Crestview, according to Wood. Niceville ranks third in available inventory, while Destin is currently facing a low inventory of rental properties.

NOW OPEN

‘Dress Up Destin’ debuts at Destin Commons, bringing weekly fashion drops

As the sun shines brighter and event calendars fill up, fashion-savvy beach enthusiasts can celebrate the timely opening of Dress Up Destin at the bustling Destin Commons.

• The Georgia-based retailer, known for their ever-changing collections and weekly fashion drops, opened on April 1 with the launch of their first store in the Sunshine State.

Dress Up Destin is a one-stop-shop for women’s clothing and accessories, catering to those who crave fun, stylish attire for year-round beach activities. With a focus on providing fresh options for customers, the store offers weekly drops, ensuring a constant influx of unique and fashionable pieces.

• In addition to their main collections, Dress Up Destin also carries an exclusive line of locally inspired tees and hats, offering a unique flair to their already vibrant selection.

Derrick Case, Dress Up CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for the Florida expansion, saying, “We are thrilled to open our latest store in Destin, FL at Destin Commons. Our goal has been to expand into Florida for some time, and this is a great first location for us in the state.”

He further elaborated on the company’s mission, stating, “We are excited to show the entire area of both locals and tourists what Dress Up is all about—excellent customer service paired with an amazing selection of affordable fashion that changes every single week!”

Destin Commons is open for business Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

BUSINESS

Eglin Federal Credit Union recognizes Mary Esther Head Teller Kimberly Stovall for 25 years of service

Eglin Federal Credit Union recognized Mary Esther Head Teller Kimberly Stovall last week for 25 years of service.

“We congratulate Kimberly on becoming a member of the National Association of Federal Credit Union’s Quarter Century Club in recognition of her 25 years of service to the credit union industry,” said SVP/COO Kim Nauta. “She does a great job building trusted relationships with our members, and we appreciate her five-star service and commitment to EFCU.”

Kimberly joined the Credit Union in 1998 as a Teller at the Fort Walton Beach Branch for seven years. She transferred to the North Crestview Branch in 2006 and was promoted to Senior Teller there in 2008.

• In 2012, Kimberly was promoted to Head Teller in Destin. She transferred to the Head Teller position at EFCU’s Mary Esther Branch in 2018.

Mary Esther Branch Manager Ryan Fingall added, “Kim is a very dedicated person. She gives her all to our members, her team at Mary Esther and to her family. She is very caring and is always doing extra-special things for others. We are grateful to have her at the Mary Esther Branch.”

During her celebration Kimberly said, “I’ve enjoyed working for EFCU for the past 25 years and am happy to be part of the Credit Union team. I have gotten to know many of our members over the years, some of them for more than a decade. I really enjoy my interactions with the members.”

POLITICS

Fort Walton Beach City Council names Jeff Peters as new City Manager

On Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the first meeting of the newly elected City Council, the Acting City Manager, Jeff Peters, was appointed as the new City Manager for the City of Fort Walton Beach.

• The vote was 4-3 in favor of Peters, who had been serving as the Acting City Manager for the past 6 months.

Peters has been a lifelong resident of Fort Walton Beach and has served the City for 17 years, starting as the Recreation Director in 2006. During his tenure, Peters has been involved in numerous projects, including the Landing Renovation, Preston Hood Athletic Complex Addition, Brooks Bridge/Around the Mound, Heritage Park and Cultural Center Addition, Cemetery Administration Building, and City Hall.

• Peters prides himself on forming strong relationships with local organizations, City staff, and community members.

The City’s Charter mandates that a permanent City Manager must be installed within 180 days after the office becomes vacant. The City Council chose executive recruitment firm Colin Baenziger & Associates, in collaboration with the City’s human resources department, to conduct the recruitment search.

• The list of candidates was narrowed down to eight, including Jeff Peters. At a special council meeting on March 7, 2023, the top three candidates were selected: Jeff Peters, Dale Martin, and Matt Coppler.

During last night’s meeting, there was an overwhelming show of support from the community for Peters as the council chambers were packed and many residents speaking in favor of him. Council-members David Schmidt, Nic Allegretto, Bryce Jeter and Larry Patrick voted in favor of Peters, while Council Members Travis Smith, Gloria DeBerry and Payne Walker voted against.

• Smith wanted to create a new Deputy City Manager position and appoint Peters to that role. Before the end of the meeting, Smith confirmed his support and confidence in Peters.

The City announced two upcoming public meetings and workshops. The first is a workshop for Strategic Planning, which will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the City Hall Annex Training Room, located at 105 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW.

• The second meeting is a regular meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, located at 107 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW.

Jeff Peters’ appointment as the new City Manager marks a new chapter for the City of Fort Walton Beach. The City Council and community members alike have expressed their confidence in Peters’ ability to serve as an effective and visionary City Manager for years to come.