Perdido May Join Pensacola And Century As Escambia County’s Municipalities
January 24, 2023
Right now there are just two municipalities in Escambia County — the city of Pensacola and the town of Century.
But that could change in the not so distant future with the addition of the city of Perdido.
Those hoping to officially incorporate Perdido as a city held a public information meeting Monday night.
Proponents say Perdido generates an estimated $60 million a year in revenue for Escambia County, holds 16% of the county’s taxable real estate value and produces 20% of the tourist development tax.
Over the coming months, Perdido’s citizens will work together to propose boundaries and guide the creation of a feasibility study, a five-year projected budget, and a proposed city charter. The results will be submitted to the local legislative delegation to be considered as a local bill by the Florida House and Senate. If it passes the legislature, citizens in the proposed city of Perdido will vote on incorporation in 2024.
The proposed Perdido municipality has about 19,400 residents. As proposed, it would include Perdido Key and the inland area to the north.
It’s No Secret: Century’s Mayor Says New Industry Will Jump-start Growth
January 23, 2023
It’s no secret that Century Mayor Ben Boutwell is excited about a new industry that promises a handful of new jobs this year, and he knows that will lead to future growth.
A 50-year old foreign company with established American customers is set to execute a lease for a long empty town-owned industrial park building that’s been empty for about 15 years. The company has agreed to pay the appraised value of the building — $7.833.33 a month, totaling $188,000 the first two years. The lease will continue for five years with a 3% annual increase beginning in the third year. The company will accept the building “as-is” and pay all utilities, maintenance, insurance and taxes.
Serving the oil and gas industry, the domestic manufacturing and warehouse distribution facility will start with about five jobs with a goal of 10 employees by the end of the year.
“We are getting someone in here, and it’s a start. It’s not sitting empty, and the town is not taking care of the utilities. It’s going to start taking care of itself. It’s been a long time coming.”
“You’ve got to get someone in here, and that’s going to bring more (jobs),” Boutwell said of the town’s 140 acre industrial park with some 30-plus empty parcels of about five acres each. “I keep emphasizing they’re running out of room in the south part of the county; it’s only heading north. I think this is one of many that should, that will come. I honestly feel that.”
An added bonus, he said, is Century’s proximity to both I-10 and I-65.
“That’s one thing that drew them in here. They already have customers here in the United States on the east coast and in the midwest. So we are right in the middle of it for them. We’re 12-14 miles from I-65 and 30 miles from I-10…and we have the rail that runs right through the town — that could help out with the port to our south.”
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Boutwell said the town will encourage the company to hire locally.
“This is machine work so people have got to be qualified. Some of it, they said “look if you can work at a grocery store, you’ll be able to work on some of these machines,”,” he said. “And then there’s the warehousing part. They’ll be able to teach you how to do the job.”
Salaries are expected to average $46,570 a year.
“The salaries that are coming in are Pensacola-priced for the town of Century, which is huge.”
The proposed lease with the company includes environmental restrictions, including prohibitions against potentially harmful air and water discharges.
“That’s not going to be an issue at all,” Boutwell said, explaining the company’s manufacturing process. “It’s just like having a waffle iron. You put your ingredients in there. You close it and seal it, and it heats up for a little bit. Whatever residual there is, they can reuse it. So it’s not like they’re going to throw it in a dumpster out back. They can reuse it.”
As for that other really big question — what’s the name of the company?
That’s a secret for now. And that’s not unusual.
Florida law allows economic development discussions to remain private until deals are finalized. That’s to prevent other locales from potentially stealing away businesses, and to keep business competitors in the dark on potential expansion plans.
The deal is being facilitated by the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance — the economic development organization for Escambia County.
A final building lease with the company is expected to be considered by the Century Town Council in early February.
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NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fike, Duffy Promoted At International Paper
January 23, 2023
International Paper has made two key promotions at their local mill.
Whitney Fike has been promoted to regional communications manager, Containerboard, and Kyle Duffy has been promoted to operations manager, Pensacola Mill.
Whitney Fike
Fike will retain mill communications responsibilities at the Pensacola Mill while also providing strategic direction and people leadership at Containerboard mills in Orange, Texas, Springfield, Oregon, Maysville, Kentucky, and Newport, Indiana.
Fike joinned International Paper as a communications contractor in 2016, prior to joining full time as the mill communications manager in Pensacola in 2017. Prior to joining IP, she owned a public relations company and has worked in a variety of sectors including nonprofits, government, tourism, financial, entertainment and events throughout her career.
She is passionate about serving and volunteering in the community. Fike serves on several boards and committees, including vice-president of the University of West Florida Alumni Board of Directors, Pensacola Little Theatre, IMPACT 100, Escambia County 4-H Foundation, and Manna Food Bank. She is a proud alumna of Leadership Pensacola and Leadership Florida.
Kyle Duffy
As operations manager for the Pensacola Mill, Duffy will report to Scott Taylor, Pensacola Mill manager. Duffy will be responsible for leading safety and employee engagement, as well as driving deliberate and sustainable improvement and operational excellence to support facility, manufacturing and business objectives.
Duffy joined International Paper in 2011 as an environmental engineer in Memphis and has held various roles of increasing responsibility throughout operations and Environmental, Health and Safety. Since 2020, he has served as the Fibers Department manager at the Pensacola Mill.
Jimitre McMillan Is Escambia Westgate’s Teacher Of The Year
January 23, 2023
Jimitre McMillan was named the Escambia Westgate’s Teacher of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com is continuing to spotlight Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area during January.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Weather Radar Will Be Down For The Next Two Weeks (And What That Means)
January 23, 2023
UPDATE: The major radar maintenance and two week outage originally scheduled to begin Monday for the weather radar has been postponed until Wednesday due to a severe weather threat Tuesday night.
The weather radar that serves the Mobile/Pensacola area is scheduled to be down for about two weeks.
Beginning on January 25, the radar operated by the National Weather Service in Mobile (KMOB) will be down for replacement of the radar pedestal.
What happens if there is hazardous weather during this significant radar downtime? Meteorologists at the NWS Mobile/Pensacola Office will use the adjacent radar sites (listed below) in addition to GOES-16 satellite imagery, and observational data to provide accurate and timely warnings, when or if necessary.
The radar pedestal is one of the most critical components of the radar, which is necessary for antenna rotation and position to capture data in all directions. The components are extremely heavy and will require the radome to be removed by crane and then replaced by crane when the work is completed. Once this project begins, the radar cannot be turned on until the work is complete. Work on the radar should be completed by February 4.
This weather radar is what is used by most local television stations, phone apps and websites to show rain in the Mobile/Pensacola area, including North Escambia.
During the downtime, adjacent radars will be available, including those from Eglin Air Force Base (KEVX), New Orleans, LA (KLIX), Ft Rucker, AL (KEOX), Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, AL (KMXX),
The radar and pedestal were designed to last 25 years, and this radar has exceeded its lifespan. This activity is necessary to keep the radar functioning for another 20 years or more.
The pedestal refurbishment is the third major project of the NEXRAD Service Life Extension Program, a series of upgrades that will keep our nation’s radars viable into the 2030s. NOAA’s National Weather Service, the United States Air Force, and the Federal Aviation Administration are investing $135 million in the eight-year program. The first project was the installation of the new signal processor and the second project was the refurbishment of the transmitter. The fourth project will be the refurbishment of the equipment shelters. The Service Life Extension Program will be completed in 2023.
The KMOB WSR-88D is part of a network of 159 operational radars.
Photo courtesy Don Shepherd for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Safety Improvements Completed On Highway 97 South Of Walnut Hill
January 23, 2023
The Florida Department of Transportation has completed a safety project on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill.
The project included upgraded signage and pavement markings from Tungoil Road to just south of Mason Road. The endwall of drainage pipes were also extended away from the roadway.
Pictured: New reflective pavement marking and signs mark a curve on Highway 97 south of Mason Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Up 15 Cents In Last Week On Rising Oil Prices
January 23, 2023
Florida gas prices jumped by 15 cents last week on a second week of rising oil prices.
The state average reached $3.41 per gallon on Sunday. That is the highest daily average price since November 24th, but 18 cents less than this time last year.
A low of $3.13 could be found Sunday night at a station on Highway 29, while prices in Pensacola bottomed out at $3.11 on Blue Angel Parkway.
“Florida drivers might be surprised to hear that China is having a direct impact on what they pay at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, public relations manager, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “During the past two weeks, oil prices have made strong gains on the belief that fuel demand will ramp-up as China reopens its economy. China is the largest oil importer in the world, and since oil is a globally traded commodity, global fluctuations in supply and demand have a direct affect local prices – just as they always have.
“Retail prices appear to have mostly adjusted to the recent oil price gains. Where gas prices go from here will be contingent on what happens in the oil market this week,” Jenkins said.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Convicted Felon Facing Drug And Weapons Charges
January 22, 2023
A convicted felon from Cantonment is facing drug and weapons charges after encountered deputies at a convenience store.
Justin Jamal Nettles, 35, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of cocaine and resisting arrest without violence. He was released on a $21,000 bond.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed Nettles at a Raceway gas station on W Street. Nettles ran from the deputy but was captured after a short foot pursuit. A 9mm magazine was located in his pocket,
After a K-9 alerted on the vehicle Nettles had occupied, a loaded Glock 9mm handgun was found in the floorboard, according to an arrest report, along with a $1 bill with cocaine on it in the driver’s door handle.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Nettles has a total of eight felony convictions, including robbery with a firearm.
Rep. Salzman Announces Winners Of Essay Contest To Be House Page Or Messenger
January 22, 2023
Rep. Michelle Salzman has announced the winners of an essay contest to select pages and messengers for the 2023 House program.
The winners nominated to serve in the program are Bella Trivison and Timothy Kinsella.
Pages and messengers work one week at the Florida Capitol during the 60-day regular legislative session. They assist representatives and their staff during the busy time while observing state government in action.
While performing their duties, pages and messengers have the opportunity to observe lawmakers, lobbyists, staff, and constituents working together in the legislative process. Opportunities will include committee meetings, House sessions in the chamber, and occasionally press conferences with notable people or celebrities.
The page and messenger program is a longstanding tradition in the Florida House of Representatives, dating back to 1865. Each student who serves as a page or messenger will have his or her name appear in the Journal of the House. This will be an official record of their time spent in the Florida House to perhaps one day show their children and grandchildren.
Escambia Unemployment Rates Falls Over The Last Month
January 22, 2023
The Escambia County unemployment rate fell last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 2.4% in December, down from 2.7$ in November. That represented 3,652 people out of work out of a county workforce of 149,773. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 3.0%, or 4,393 people.
The area unemployment rate dropped to 2.3 percent over the year in December 2022, down 0.5 percentage point from 2.8 percent reported in December 2021. The area’s private sector employment increased by 3.2 percent over the year in December 2022, adding 5,300 jobs. The Pensacola area labor force increased by 5,337 over the year, a 2.3 percent increase.
The industries gaining the most jobs over the year were education and health services, increasing by 1,700 jobs; and leisure and hospitality, increasing by 1,200 jobs.
“Florida continues to outpace the nation and withstand negative headwinds due to federal policy,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis. “I look forward to building off our success with record tax relief in the upcoming legislative session.”