What are our county leaders doing for us.

daughette matt, it isn't the job of gov't to stimulate the economy and businesses. BTW, if you want to know something about local gov't, attend local gov't meetings.

That said, http://www.waltonbusiness.com/ has some useful information regarding incentives to draw business to Walton County. One for example, is that Freeport, an area of Mossy Head, and the City of Defuniak Springs, are designated as a "Rural Economic Zone," giving huge tax incentives directly tied to employee wages paid.

"[FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]In addition to local incentives, the State of Florida offers seven incentives for Rural Enterprise Zones:[/FONT] [FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]Jobs Tax Credit (Sales Tax): Allows a business located within a Rural Enterprise Zone to take a sales and use tax credit for 30 or 45 percent of wages paid to new employees who live within a Rural County. To be eligible, a business must create at least one new job. The Sales Tax Credit cannot be used in conjunction with the Corporate Tax Jobs Credit.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]Jobs Tax Credit (Corporate Income Tax): Allows a business located within a Rural Enterprise Zone to take a corporate income tax credit for 30 or 45 percent of wages paid to new employees who reside within a Rural County. To be eligible, a business must create at least one new job. The Corporate Tax Credit cannot be used in conjunction with the Sales Tax Credit.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]Business Equipment Sales Tax Refund: A refund is available for sales taxes paid on the purchase of certain business property, which is used exclusively in an Enterprise Zone for at least 3 years. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]Building Materials Sales Tax Refund: A refund is available for sales taxes paid on the purchase of building materials used to rehabilitate real property located in an Enterprise Zone.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif] Property Tax Credit (Corporate Income Tax): New or expanded businesses located within an enterprise zone are allowed a credit against Florida corporate income tax equal to 96% of ad valorem taxes paid on the new or improved property. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]Sales Tax Exemption for Electrical Energy: A 50% sales tax exemption is available to qualified businesses located within an Enterprise Zone on the purchase of electrical energy, if the municipality has reduced the municipal utility tax by at least 50%.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif] Community Contribution Tax Credit Program: Allows businesses a 50% credit on Florida corporate income tax, insurance premium tax, or sales tax refund for donations made to local community development projects. Businesses are not required to be located in an enterprise zone to be eligible for this credit."[/FONT]


[FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]*******************[/FONT]


[FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]The problem right now is that most businesses are thinning down to survive. They are not expanding, and most all relocation is going over seas to bypass the highest corporate taxes in the world, found right here in the good 'ole US of A.
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I don't think we can blame the commissioners for businesses closing during hard times. This is not something that is just happening here.

Several posters keep wanting "new businesses and industries" here, but haven't come up with any constructive suggestions for HOW to do so. The financial framework is in place in the form of the credits and tax advantages SJ listed, but many of the other things that draw employers are not.

And there are a lot of South Walton stakeholders who don't want the area to be anything other than an upscale vacation area, and having to drive past the Family Dollar distribution center (like there is over by Chipley or Marianna or wherever) on the way in doesn't jibe with the upscale vacation area image.

beachmouse, that is one reason why those "enterprise zones" are located in north Walton. There are plenty of unseen potential consequences of bringing in high-paying jobs into north Walton -- one which hits me right off the top is that if high-paying jobs open in Freeport, it will steal much of the service industry workforce from south Walton. If you think service is poor in south Walton, now, just wait until the good ones decide to go work for more pay in Freeport. In order to compete for employees, restaurants and service industry businesses in south Walton, will have to increase their wages (and or incentives) to attract employees. On the surface, that sounds great for the workers, but, as you may have noticed, many restaurants and businesses are already maxed out, and they won't be able to afford the increased wages. They cannot continue to raise menu prices, which are already very high.

The newly formed Walton County Economic Development Association (WCEDA), just asked and received $162,000 from the BCC. The NWFL news story on B1, today, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009 states "The public-private partnership has a number of objectives, ranging from creating new jobs and growing and retaining businesses to developing a Walton County branding campaign." I'm concerned about this "branding" item considering what has been dreamed up lately. Hope they keep Walton County as a priority and understand the real assets we have. We don't need any goofy, made up names or agendas. There is a lot of fantastic local Walton County talent that should be tapped for any paid projects before they outsource to another city, county or state. Certainly partnerships with our neighbors is workable. But, as many local workers as possible should be hired or retained as consultants for the WCEDA. At least give local companies/workers a chance to bid or apply. Competition is a good thing and sometimes outside help is needed. In itself, the WCEDA, is a new business in Walton County.

Can we make it a prerequisite that they cannot spend the $ with any firm involved in the "dumb orange beach" or "the big blue sign" debacles?

We've got brands, logos, and marketing concepts out the wazoo, time to DO something proactive, not continue to pour money into "brand it and they will come". :roll:

I think payroll costs shouldn't be on the top of the list when cutting business costs. Need to analyze the other expenses eating up profits. The wages paid in service related industry is great for part timers, school age workers, etc, not for principal wage earners for the family. We need jobs where those primary wage earners can earn enough to support their family. Freeport seems to be trying to do this, and is commendable. Our workforce has the same intellect and potential as anyone else, it just needs to be encouraged in the direction of whatever the job might be. Creativity is essential. We need to create a product we can market to the world exclusively made in our area, not related to tourism. Our state and nation is in trouble, now it is even more important to put our minds together and get something going! We have to have another industry!

In order to compete for employees, restaurants and service industry businesses in south Walton, will have to increase their wages (and or incentives) to attract employees. On the surface, that sounds great for the workers, but, as you may have noticed, many restaurants and businesses are already maxed out, and they won't be able to afford the increased wages. They cannot continue to raise menu prices, which are already very high.

The flip side is that you then have more non-transients in the area making higher salaries who are better able to support local restaurants and businesses year round, even with moderately higher prices.

As for current restaurant prices, they really aren't that high in a lot of cases. A Red Bar lunch of fish sandwich and fries is essentially the same price as a large sub from (the now defunct) Quizno's.

Health (and other) insurance costs are a major expense for local businesses and they continue to rise at crazy rates. That is frequently mentioned as a major overhead cost.

Many are predicting that a green or alt energy boom is what is needed to get our country's economy back on track. How do we capitalize on it in Sowal?

The flip side is that you then have more non-transients in the area making higher salaries who are better able to support local restaurants and businesses year round, even with moderately higher prices.

As for current restaurant prices, they really aren't that high in a lot of cases. A Red Bar lunch of fish sandwich and fries is essentially the same price as a large sub from (the now defunct) Quizno's.

But there lies the rub. If there are more people eating, there are more servers needed in most cases, and service will likely be worse, though having more diners should equate to more money for the servers. I can see your point that as more people move here for jobs, there will also be more kids who will take those service jobs.

You are right about lunch prices being reasonable. I was thinking of dinner prices, where most of my favorite places to dine start entrees at $20.

...
Many are predicting that a green or alt energy boom is what is needed to get our country's economy back on track. How do we capitalize on it in Sowal?

Mossy Head attracted that bio-diesel plant, and I understand that some sort of Hydro-carbon business was on the BCC's Agenda on Tuesday night.

I must ask -- if you are wondering what local leaders are doing for you, what are you doing to be involved in local leadership?

It was stated that one major problem with exporting goods from SoWal was transportation. If we could utilize the intercoastal... we used to have a ferry across it until one person brought a lawsuit... as I remember anyway. If we had some kind of port ie "Point Washington" to load ships... Certainly we could come up with some kind of product!

The flip side is that you then have more non-transients in the area making higher salaries who are better able to support local restaurants and businesses year round, even with moderately higher prices.

As for current restaurant prices, they really aren't that high in a lot of cases. A Red Bar lunch of fish sandwich and fries is essentially the same price as a large sub from (the now defunct) Quizno's.

Quizno's is defunct?

There are industrial zoned properties located on the intracoastal waterway, currently.

There are industrial zoned properties located on the intracoastal waterway, currently.

Good! Then a port should be able to be built without incredible obstacles?

I thought the Freeport boatyard already had a good deep water port?

There was recent mention of the Grand Blvd. Quizno's ceasing operations.

As for ports on Choctaw Bay, it seems that, except for the Destin Harbor area, that the water is usually relatively shallow until you get fairly far out. It probably makes the most sense to keep heavy shipping in Freeport from a geology/environmental standpoint. I remember going to a talk given by someone from the Valparaiso Heritage Museum, and she said that previous 20th century attempts at serious ports in the area (the reason a part of Shalimar is known as Port Dixie) had not really worked out because of the difficulty in finding areas that were both sheltered and deep enough.

Why would you want to have a redundancy of ports? Freeport can handle large barges, and Port Panama City is huge. It is easy enough to truck any goods to either of these locations, without great costs.

I think payroll costs shouldn't be on the top of the list when cutting business costs. Need to analyze the other expenses eating up profits. The wages paid in service related industry is great for part timers, school age workers, etc, not for principal wage earners for the family. We need jobs where those primary wage earners can earn enough to support their family. Freeport seems to be trying to do this, and is commendable. Our workforce has the same intellect and potential as anyone else, it just needs to be encouraged in the direction of whatever the job might be. Creativity is essential. We need to create a product we can market to the world exclusively made in our area, not related to tourism. Our state and nation is in trouble, now it is even more important to put our minds together and get something going! We have to have another industry!

Once again you assume the waiters and waitresses are doing jobs they don't really want to. I have many friends that do this as a full time job and enjoy what they do. They also make a very good living at it.

It was stated that one major problem with exporting goods from SoWal was transportation. If we could utilize the intercoastal... we used to have a ferry across it until one person brought a lawsuit... as I remember anyway. If we had some kind of port ie "Point Washington" to load ships... Certainly we could come up with some kind of product!

I'm fairly certain that most residents in Point Washington would be against a port in their back yard.

Good! Then a port should be able to be built without incredible obstacles?

Let's see you've got the DEP issues in building a port they'll deny it until doomsday because of Port Panama City and Port St. Joe. In addition those two ports I listed will lobby against it.

Yes ,I agree it is not the commissioners job to stimulate the economy.
BUT, it is the commissioners job to make the county work. For most of us full time residents without an investment portfolio, or a job in another state, we are broke 50% of the time. Families do not move to Walton county. People buy second homes in Walton county. If your line of work directly supports the care and upkeep of these ssecond homes, then you may be doing ok.

It is the commisioners job to utilize what we have. And what do we have, lots of land, lots of under-employed people and 4 MAJOR way to get goods in and out. The intercoastal, I10, trains, and the much delayed new airport nearby. This is not a new problem. Our county has been supported by vistors for many years. But with the across the board decrease in "expendible moneys" there will be less and less money coming here, and ther is NO plan to deal with the inevitable.

Again, it is the commissioners job to make the most of the resources we have. For years our county has done well with exploiting the the natural beauty of our area by mean of terrorism, sorry tourism. That is clearly not enough anymore. Changes are needed in how our county works.

We need to attract some real employers to our county. If you disagree with that..........you really do not know what is like to try to find work here and bring up your kids.

By the way I am involved with county gov't..............I pay my taxes and I vote.

Yes ,I agree it is not the commissioners job to stimulate the economy.
BUT, it is the commissioners job to make the county work. For most of us full time residents without an investment portfolio, or a job in another state, we are broke 50% of the time. Families do not move to Walton county. People buy second homes in Walton county. If your line of work directly supports the care and upkeep of these second homes, then you may be doing ok.

Plenty of people & families move here to live and work here full time. Yes, the main employers are tourism and the military, so if you want a different type of job, create one instead of biatching about one of the major sources of income to this area.

If you felt all you needed to do was 'vote and pay taxes' (and let the magic gnomes plan for the future) you are part of the problem until you start offering solutions. Vacant land, an interstate, an airport that hasn't been built yet, and whining will not draw new industry or jobs.

I don't consider my self to be a whiner. I have created jobs (only 2 though). I am not part of the problem.
This is not a New problem created by our current economic situation. You are right, whining will not draw new jobs. Sound leadership will though, and a commitment to bring some type of sustainable industry. Not just tourism. Have you looked at the area want ads lately, it doesn't take long to do. No family is moving here for a brighter future, unless they came from Mexico, and most of those filks have moved on..because there are no jobs. We do need jobs, and we need our local gov't to create more jobs then just better waitressing jobs.
Wake up dude.

daughette Matt, did you read the incentives being given to businesses, which I posted earlier in this thread? That is huge. Short of decreasing corporate taxes, can you list some things that you think the County Commissioners should do to bring businesses to our area? Very few places in the country see high-paying jobs coming in. Occasionally, there will be an auto manufacturer open a plant, but it seems that just as many have closed recently. One thing that major industry looks for is human resources. Currently, Walton County has the lowest unemployment in the state, something like 5%(about 1300 people wanting jobs that don't have them), compared to state-wide of 7+%. Big industry wants to open in areas where finding employees is not a problem, eg- places where unemployment is high.

I'd seriously like to read what specific things you think gov't should do.

Also, I agree with scooterbug that paying taxes and voting is not equivalent to being actively involved with gov't. There are plenty of people who do that, who have never attending one local gov't meeting. I would bet a Guinness that they cannot name our County Commissioners and County Interim Attorney, without cheating. Get involved if you really want to care.

I don't consider my self to be a whiner. I have created jobs (only 2 though). I am not part of the problem.
This is not a New problem created by our current economic situation. You are right, whining will not draw new jobs. Sound leadership will though, and a commitment to bring some type of sustainable industry. Not just tourism. Have you looked at the area want ads lately, it doesn't take long to do. No family is moving here for a brighter future, unless they came from Mexico, and most of those filks have moved on..because there are no jobs. We do need jobs, and we need our local gov't to create more jobs then just better waitressing jobs.
Wake up dude.

This is a chicken or egg thing. Major industry wants a workforce. WC has the lowest unemployment rate in the State. Or at least in the bottom five.

Freeport is a port but has needed dredging for quite a few years. I understand the shipbuilder is limited to what they can build because of this. Another problem with permits and what to do with the spoils.