850 Business Magazine

Phillip Gainer, a product of Washington County, is the secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 3, headquartered in Chipley, where Gainer resides. His route to work isn’t congested, but his job involves coordinating projects designed to keep pace with development. District 3’s efforts to compete for state transportation funding are complicated by the fact that while it is home to two of the ten fastest-growing counties in the state—Walton and Santa Rosa—its population is the smallest among the state’s seven transportation districts. Even as development accelerates, the best the district can do is to apply a process for prioritizing projects and knock them off the list as funds become available. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/egH57A_w Illustration by Sierra Thomas

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort? is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob LaCasse as its new general manager. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eFTj3E7a

Watersound Fountains, a 148-apartment resort-style independent living community located in Inlet Beach, Florida, has opened its doors to residents. Developed through a joint venture with The St. Joe Company, Watermark Retirement Communities and BRW, this community is the first free-standing independent living community in Watersound. https://bit.ly/4g7GGMo

Matt Algarin, director at Walton County Tourism, favors a regional approach to tourism promotion. That sentiment is shared by Algarin’s counterpart in Okaloosa County, Jennifer Adams Kemp. “We would rather them stay in the region than go somewhere else, even though they may not get to me the first time,” she said. “They will get to me at a later date.” Individual counties have their respective attractions, but there is nothing to prevent visitors from parasailing off Panama City Beach one day and cooling off at Vortex Spring in Holmes County the next. ??: Courtesy of CCA Florida https://bit.ly/4ghJQO3

In 2005, a group of friends united by a passion for fine wine and a philanthropic spirit decided to host a silent auction to benefit children in need in Northwest Florida. To their delight, the event raised around $80,000 and laid the groundwork for what would become the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. As of last year, the organization had distributed $32 million in donations to children’s charities in Escambia, Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa counties and benefitted an estimated 100,000 youths. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4dUJ734 ??: Destin Charity Wine Auction

Mayor Russ Barley likes to make the rounds in Freeport, delivering progress reports to service clubs and other gatherings. He talks about efforts by the city to develop infrastructure in anticipation of growth rather than in response to it. He cites work to expand the city’s existing wastewater treatment facility and its plans to build a second one on the east side of town. He lists businesses that are new to Freeport: Circle K, Pizza Hut, Emerald Coast Title Co., 331 Noodles, Tool Expo and Otto’s Car Wash. He cites development orders—approved, pending and anticipated—and reports that the city can be expected to grow to 30,000 in population in the next 10 years. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ef3sATK7 ??: Mike Fender

For 44 years, John Hogan served as CEO of Capital Health Plan, one of the most successful and highly regarded HMOs in the country. After earning a master’s degree in health planning at the University of Virginia, Hogan worked for regional health systems agencies in Brunswick and then Albany, Georgia. The jobs aligned with his master’s degree but not with what he truly wanted to do. Versus planning and development, his greater interest was bringing about market alternatives to the traditional fee-for-service approach to healthcare. ??: Courtesy of Capital Health Plan

Steve Bornhoft, former editor of 850 Magazine, dedicates his last editor's letter to his experience at BEYOND, Florida Power & Light's Northwest Florida Economic Symposium. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ekY_Sgib

Pies & Provisions, a locally owned artisanal pie shop in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, is thrilled to announce its grand opening, offering delivery and pickup options of their sweet and savory pies to Santa Rosa Beach and the coastal communities along 30A. Founded by the dynamic mother-son duo Ryan and Julie Robinson, Pies & Provisions brings a touch of love, tradition and coastal charm to every bite. ?? https://lnkd.in/e9aGHakP

Costa Family McDonald’s opened the first McDonald’s in Santa Rosa Beach on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Located on Highway 98 (adjacent to Publix) in Santa Rosa Beach, the new location has created 60 jobs for the community and features new amenities such as kiosks where customers will have the option to pay cash for their orders. https://lnkd.in/eA9YZrAD Photo by Boo Media