FGNW NEWS


 

Over 100 Regional Leaders Gather with Nationally Recognized Workforce and Data Strategist

Filling open positions with a qualified workforce is the number one site selection factor in many companies’ decisions about where to locate or expand. This workforce gap is found in nearly every city across the United States. While it’s not a unique program to our region, Florida’s Great Northwest and Opportunity Florida, regional economic development organizations in Northwest Florida, hosted an event to explore the truth in data and dispel myths related to workforce challenges.

Kate McEnroe, a workforce and data strategist based in Chicago, spoke at the regional event on October 5, 2023 at the Watercolor Lakehouse in Santa Rosa Beach. Throughout the 13-county region, 115 community leaders gathered to hear Kate’s unique presentation titled “Difficult Conversations About Workforce.”

“Her presentation challenged common misconceptions about workforce issues and offered examples, recommendations, and opinions on optimizing and attracting a quality workforce,” said Jennifer Conoley, President & CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest.

During her presentation, McEnroe provided social demographic data, discussed public policy implications, and highlighted characteristics of a livable community. She emphasized that a growing population does not necessarily mean an increase in skilled labor talent and that access to affordable housing and childcare can impact an individual's ability to work.

After presenting her insightful data, McEnroe encouraged community leaders to continue engaging in transformative conversations. She believes that discussing topics such as housing, childcare, and empowering new individuals in the workforce can lead to positive regional transformation.

“This is our opportunity to stop admiring the workforce problem and work together to find solutions,” said Conoley. “Conversations will get us farther than data, and once we are able to have some small wins, we can scale up for ultimate impact, benefiting us all in Northwest Florida.”

 

About FGNW

Florida’s Great Northwest is the regional economic development organization for the 12-county region of the Florida Panhandle. The organization's purpose is to promote Northwest Florida for economic growth and diversification, to advocate for economic development issues that affect the region, and to collaborate to improve regional competitiveness. Beyond our beaches, Northwest Florida offers business competitive, bottom-line advantages in workforce training, upgraded infrastructure, access to a host of defense assets, and a diverse base of industries that already call the region home.

 

NEWS

Florida's Great Northwest Hosts Top Site Location Consultants in Marianna

Florida's Great Northwest (FGNW) hosted four top site location consultants this month in Marianna, Florida as part of their ‘Beyond Our Beaches’ Site Selector Mission.

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Florida’s Great Northwest CEO Recognized as One of Florida’s Most Influential Business Leaders

Northwest Florida – Jennifer Conoley, President & CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW), has been named to Florida Trend’s prestigious Florida 500 list. This annual list highlights the 500 most influential executives in different economic sectors throughout the state of Florida. The editors of Florida Trend conducted a year-long research initiative resulting in a personal and engaging look at the state's most influential business leaders.

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SAVE THE DATES: Northwest Florida Days 2024

We kindly ask for you to please save the dates for our 2024 Northwest Florida Days events in Tallahassee during Florida’s Legislative Session: January 17th - 18th, 2024.

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FLORIDA’S GREAT NORTHWEST FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF LEADERSHIP NORTHWEST FLORIDA CLASS II

Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) Foundation has selected its participants for Leadership Northwest Florida. Twenty-two leaders were selected to participate in Class II of the program focused on regional collaboration through community, content and connection.

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National Workforce Strategist Addresses Labor Force Challenges at Upcoming Luncheon

Florida’s Great Northwest and Opportunity Florida invite business leaders to “Difficult Conversations About Workforce”

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Central Moloney, Inc. Creates 550 Jobs in Northwest Florida

Leading Transformer Manufacturer Establishes Locations in Bay and Okaloosa Counties, Investing $75 million

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Northwest Florida Labor Supply & Demand Research Analysis Year 2 Update

ABLE Operations was tasked with providing Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) with research and analysis of the regional labor market. This document is an update to Florida’s Great Northwest Supply & Demand Research Analysis completed in March 2021. In addition to the industries and occupations identified in the previous study, this update will consider the labor market for nursing and cyber security occupations. The update of this study includes additional years of data and adjusted growth forecasts for the region. The purpose of this study is to inform Florida’s Great Northwest and Triumph Gulf Coast of strengths and potential gaps between key regional industries’ demand for employees, and the ability of the local training/education institutions to supply these skills.

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Cox Expanding Its Ultra-Fast Internet Service in Okaloosa County

Valparaiso, FL – Today Cox Communications celebrated the expansion of its footprint in several areas of Okaloosa County as part of the company’s commitment to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to reach underserved and rural communities nationwide.   Residents interested in learning more about service should visit Cox.com/getfiber.

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Leading Transformer Manufacturer Central Moloney, Inc. Selects Okaloosa County, Florida for New Manufacturing Facility

Central Moloney, Inc., (“CMI”) headquartered in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, announced the selection of Okaloosa County, Florida for a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that will specialize in producing pad-mounted electrical transformers.

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