BUSINESS

KC’s Sandbar, Tapworks, and TASTE to close in Downtown Fort Walton Beach

Three popular downtown establishments in Fort Walton Beach are closing their doors, marking the end of an era for local dining and nightlife.

• Owners Mike and Bev Parker announced Monday via social media that KC’s Sandbar and Grille, Tapworks, and TASTE will be shutting down. The closures affect businesses that have been fixtures in the community for nearly two decades.

KC’s Sandbar and Grille, the longest-running of the three, has been open for 18 years. Tapworks has served the community for 11 years, while TASTE has been in operation for seven years.

The establishments have been known for hosting events, supporting local causes, and fostering community spirit in downtown Fort Walton Beach.

In their social media announcement, the Parkers invited patrons for a final visit, stating, “Please come enjoy 50% today and tomorrow [Tuesday] to see our staff one last time for some good beers and laughs.”

While no specific reason for the closures was provided in the announcement, the loss of these establishments marks a significant change for Fort Walton Beach’s downtown scene.

BUSINESS

Okaloosa voters to decide fate of business tax exemption program on November ballot

Okaloosa County voters will decide whether to renew a decade-long economic incentive program in the upcoming November general election, following a 4-1 vote by the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday.

• The board approved a resolution to place a referendum question on the November 2024 ballot, asking voters to consider continuing the county’s authorization to grant property tax exemptions for new and existing businesses that create full-time jobs. 
• The current authorization expires on August 26.

Nathan Sparks, representing One Okaloosa Economic Development Council, presented the case for renewal. “It’s an economic development tool that we can use to both enhance our existing businesses by helping them expand, as well as attracting new businesses to our area,” Sparks said.

According to Sparks, the program has been utilized 12 times since 2014. County records show it has resulted in 229 net new jobs and $74,555 in county exemptions through the 2023 tax year.

Commissioner Nathan Boyles cast the lone dissenting vote, expressing concerns about the program’s effectiveness. “At the end of the day, my humble opinion as a business owner is that these awards made zero difference in any of the decisions that were made by these entities,” Boyles stated.

• Boyles argued that the program requires significant effort from county staff and the property appraiser’s office for minimal return. He suggested exploring alternative grant programs that might offer more meaningful economic development opportunities.

Commissioner Mel Ponder moved to put the measure on the ballot, highlighting the program’s performance-based nature and strong return on investment. “It’s ROI driven. When I talked to you about ROI, it’s extremely strong,” Ponder noted.

Commission Chairman Paul Mixon acknowledged Boyles’ concerns but supported putting the decision to voters. “As we move forward, I don’t know that this will be a need to have. Unfortunately, our neighbors do have it. I think we would be taken off the list even faster by not having this small tool,” Mixon said.

Sparks emphasized that the program is performance-based, requiring annual compliance documentation from participating companies. He also noted that 19 Florida counties currently have similar programs, including nearby Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Bay counties.

If approved by voters, the renewed authority would extend for another 10 years. The referendum will appear on the November 5, 2024, general election ballot.

THINGS TO DO

Niceville to hold inaugural Veterans Day Parade in 2024

The City of Niceville has announced plans to host its first-ever Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, to honor those who have served in the armed forces.

• The parade, set to begin at 10 a.m., will wind through the streets of Niceville as a tribute to veterans and their families. City officials are inviting all community members to attend and show support for those who have served the country.

“This event is a tribute to the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country,” the city stated in a press release.

Registration for parade participants is now open and will continue through Oct. 4, 2024. The city is encouraging individuals, groups, and organizations to apply for participation through the official City of Niceville website.

Those interested in registering for the parade or becoming a sponsor can find more information at cityofniceville.org.

“Let’s all join together in showing our appreciation for our veterans on this special day,” the city’s statement concluded.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Bridgeway Center awarded grant to aid homeless with mental health issues in Okaloosa

Bridgeway Center has been awarded a five-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to address the needs of homeless individuals with serious mental health conditions in Okaloosa County.

• The grant will fund the Treatment of Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Project, which aims to serve 50 individuals annually, totaling 250 people over the five-year period. The program is set to begin on Oct. 1, 2024.

Bonnie Barlow, President and CEO of Bridgeway Center, said, “This grant will provide resources for our community that will further assist those individuals who are experiencing homelessness. We know these services will result in more people finding homes and remaining successfully housed.”

The project will focus on providing comprehensive behavioral health treatment, case management, and recovery support services. Key components include connecting participants with behavioral health treatment, supporting recovery across four dimensions – Health, Home, Purpose, and Community – and collaborating with homeless service organizations to secure sustainable permanent housing.

• Goals of the program include reducing homelessness rates, ensuring effective treatment for at least 50% of those served, enhancing stability for individuals in Permanent Supportive Housing, strengthening collaboration with homeless organizations, and improving outreach efforts.

Bridgeway Center will work alongside community partners to provide therapists and case managers who will work specifically with homeless individuals in Okaloosa County, both in the community and at local shelters.

The grant represents a significant investment in addressing homelessness and mental health challenges in Okaloosa County, aiming to improve the quality of life for some of the area’s most vulnerable residents.

“We are so grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our community partners who are already doing amazing work for those experiencing homelessness,” Barlow added.

EDUCATION

Okaloosa School District to launch eSports Program across all high schools

Join us as we celebrate Education Month, sponsored by Youth Village Inc. We will explore local school district updates, back-to-school preparations, and innovative educational initiatives. Discover how our community is shaping the future of learning.

The Okaloosa County School District is set to introduce eSports programs at all high schools this fall. The initiative, spearheaded by Superintendent Marcus Chambers, aims to engage students in a new way while potentially opening doors to future academic and career opportunities.

Chambers’ enthusiasm for the new program was evident as he discussed its inception. “eSports is something that puts a big smile on my face,” he said. The idea was inspired by a visit to Northwest Florida State College, where Chambers observed their thriving eSports program.

“I went over to NWFSC and visited their eSports program and saw a number of students who were in there and were competing,” Chambers recalled. 

• To his surprise, he recognized several former Okaloosa County high school students among the competitors. Even more impressive, the college team was on track to be ranked number one in the nation at the collegiate level.

This experience opened Chambers’ eyes to the widespread appeal and potential of eSports. But the decision to introduce eSports to Okaloosa schools was driven by more than just its popularity. Chambers pointed to research highlighting the benefits of eSports for both academics and mental health. “There’s a place for eSports in Okaloosa schools,” he asserted. 

Initially, eSports will be offered as before- or after-school programs at each of the district’s high schools. However, Chambers expressed hope that it could eventually become part of the regular curriculum. 

• “We want to get to a place where we’re competing with other schools,” he said, outlining a vision that starts with intra-district competitions but could expand to include matches against other school districts throughout the state.

The superintendent also highlighted the potential long-term benefits of the program. “At the college level, eSports is literally a sport. You can get scholarships to go do eSports,” he explained. This opens up new pathways for students to pursue higher education.

Additionally, Chambers sees eSports as a potential gateway to careers in technology and game development. “For students who really like eSports or gaming, they could also look into creating these games or engineering these games in the future,” he suggested.

With the 2024-25 school year underway, Okaloosa County high school students will soon have the opportunity to participate in this program, potentially setting the stage for a new era of competitive gaming in Florida’s educational landscape.