Economic Development Organization Presentation Committee for a Sustainable Emerald Coast Larry Sassano, President Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County, Florida

Challenges  Qualified Workers; Technical Workers  Identify future labor force  Housing  Attainable/Workforce  Transportation Avenues

Opportunities  Emerald Coast Technology Park & Research Campus  Additional research in diverse technologies

Opportunities  Mixed Use Developments  Inspired by innovative investors & developers  Housing Market Reshaping  Innovative housing construction opportunities  POD, manufactured housing  Growth of Eglin  Vision 2015  7 th Special Forces Group  Joint Strike Fighter (F-35 Lightning II)

Opportunities  Speculative Building Program  Developers & Investors  Regional Networking Opportunities  Entrepreneurship  Angel & Venture Capital  Eglin Installation Growth Committee  JLUS  Sustainable Emerald Coast Committee

Opportunities  Governor-elect Charlie Crist  New ideas  Continuation of existing programs  Strong economic development support  Strong support for OTTED, FDA, etc.

Areas of Current & Future Cooperation  Entrepreneurial Networking  Stronger BR&E Oversight Program  WIRED – Workforce Innovation for Regional Economic Development  TeCMEN

Questions?