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A note from FloridaWest
Community Leaders & Friends of FloridaWest,
It’s easy to see why so many people are excited about Pensacola/Escambia County and our future. As a newcomer, and with FloridaWest’s responsibility to grow and enhance our local economy, I’m constantly looking for what’s most important and unique, especially community assets and advantages that we can use to encourage growth in an always competitive economic development marketplace. There’s been no need for me to look far — our community’s best selling points — and our best opportunities — are easy to see.
For many economic development organizations, the most relevant performance metrics are jobs, income and capital investment, and FloridaWest is no exception. However, the true payoff of economic growth is a great quality of life for everyone. Now more than ever, workers, families and business owners recognize what a great place the Pensacola area is.
That is true for major employers, but that also means that entrepreneurs, including those committed to growing technology companies, are in Pensacola because they like living and doing business here. I am amazed by the diversity of tech companies that are thriving here, especially in downtown Pensacola.
Highly advanced technology employers such as ActiGraph, Circulogene, IHMC and IRIS — just a name a few — are developers of products and services that include biotechnology, artificial intelligence, information technology, robotics and much more. To be successful, companies of this caliber must recruit top national and even global talent. They wouldn’t be in Pensacola if their quality of living expectations weren’t being met.
Recent and upcoming local events such as ITEN WIRED, EntreCon and the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show are also excellent reminders of Pensacola’s economic diversity and its importance to our business climate and quality of place. Many attendees at these events are from outside our community, and like many others, they’re finding that this great place to visit is also a great place to live.
A suggestion to those who have been in Pensacola for a long time — when you meet a newcomer, and there are lots of them, ask them what they like about the community. They’ll likely tell you about things you already know, but it’s always good to hear!
Sincerely,
Brian Hilson
CEO
FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance
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