By Nathan Sparks, CEcD
Executive Director of One Okaloosa EDC
It seems that nearly everywhere that I’ve gone recently, someone asks me if I’m “doing OK”. When I inquire as to why they are asking, they reference the City of Fort Walton Beach meetings that took place on June 23. For those that missed it, during a Special Meeting held to set the Proposed FY 2026-2027 Millage Rate, the Fort Walton Beach City Council reviewed several categories where cuts could be made in their proposed budget in order to be within the 3% year-over-year spending cap that the City is now operating under.
To quickly summarize, a motion was made to eliminate funding provided to three community partners, including the City’s annual $20,000 investment in One Okaloosa EDC. Prior to the vote, Mayor Allegretto offered an opportunity for public comment. I chose to step forward and highlight projects totaling more than $75M and representing hundreds of higher wage jobs that One Okaloosa EDC helped facilitate in the City over the past 18 months. Once I concluded, Councilman Walker signaled to Mayor Allegretto that he wished to ask me a question. Mayor Allegretto declined the request and instead suggested that Councilman Walker hold his question for my quarterly update taking place in the regularly scheduled City Council meeting that was to follow. Councilman Walker didn’t agree with the Mayor’s approach and words were exchanged.
Once the special budget meeting adjourned and the regular City Council meeting ensued, Councilman Walker got his opportunity to ask the questions that he desired. While some have shared that they felt his questions were out of line, I recognize that as a recipient of public funds, One Okaloosa EDC is operating in the public trust and thus subject to whatever questions that come with that – be they easy, hard or somewhere in between. I also accept that sometimes EDCs become inadvertently embroiled in disagreements that truly aren’t ours. (And yes, I’m doing just fine😊).
In other news, the momentum Okaloosa County continues to experience following last year’s Williams International announcement is noteworthy. In the past 30 days alone, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners has approved economic incentive agreements for three projects – one in Fort Walton Beach, one in Valparaiso and one in Crestview. Combined, these projects represent more than 240 new, high wage jobs for our citizens with a total capital investment just shy of $50,000,000. We look forward to sharing more about these exciting opportunities in the near future.
Last but certainly not least, please join me in congratulating Natalia Germany on her recent promotion to Economic Development Coordinator. A proud military spouse and newly-minted UWF graduate, Natalia has been excelling as our part-time Administrative Assistant since November 2024. We are thrilled to welcome her as a full-time teammate!
