Editor’s Note: The News Herald is publishing its annual countdown and update of the top 10 stories of the year. These were the stories reporters and editors felt were the most important in Bay County in 2014. The series will end on New Year’s Day with the top story of the year.
PANAMA CITY — Bay County continued its comeback following the recent economic recession, with growth seen in development, business and industry in 2014.
“I most definitely think we’re in recovery mode,” said Carol Roberts, president of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce. “You’re seeing more businesses opening up. ... There is light at the end of the tunnel.”
For some of Bay County’s largest employers — Eastern Shipbuilding and Berg Steel Pipe Corp. — that light turned on in 2014.
In February, Eastern was announced as one of three finalists vying for a $10.5 billion contract with the U.S. Coast Guard, which could bring thousands of new jobs to the area.
Following the announcement, company President and CEO Brian D’Isernia said if the 20-year contract was secured, it could add between 750 and 800 employees to the company’s team of 1,500. Eastern is now working to develop a detailed ship design with pricing to submit to the Coast Guard within the next year.
“This is potentially a huge contract,” D’Isernia said. “That’s quite a few jobs … stable, long-term jobs here in the community.”
Panama City manufacturer Berg Steel Pipe Corp. also had a successful year of contracts thanks to increasing demand for natural gas pipeline in the U.S.
The company, located at Port Panama City, now has an order backlog of nearly one million tons of pipe, enough to sustain a two-shift operation through the summer of 2016. Company officials are now considering adding a third shift at its local plant, which would tack on more new jobs to the roughly 140 Berg has created since the fall.
As tourism numbers continued to break records in 2014, developers took advantage of the slew of visitors in Panama City Beach, opening the new Pier Park North shopping center this year.
The 370,000-square-foot shopping center across from Pier Park on Back Beach Road hosted its grand opening in August, welcoming dozens of new retailers to the area. The project is a partnership between the St. Joe Co., property management company CASTO and Strategic Real Estate Advisors (SRA).
The most recent additions to the shopping center include restaurants The Craft Bar and IHOP, both of which will open soon. Site work also is underway on a large parcel behind Rooms To Go, but no official announcements have been made regarding a future tenant.
“The project has met our expectations,” said St. Joe Chief Financial Officer Marek Bakun said earlier this year. “That area is the hub for retail and we’re excited about the stores and businesses that are coming in.”
Visitation to Panama City Beach also has fueled growth at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, which will welcome new air service to the destination early next year.
United Airlines announced last month it will launch twice-daily service to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston from the airport in March 2015, connecting Bay County with hundreds of other domestic and international destinations. Existing service provider Southwest Airlines also will begin providing service to a new destination at Dallas Love Field next year.
United’s announcement came shortly after another big win for the airport in conjunction Bay County Economic Development Alliance, which was successful in landing new company Edge Aerodynamix.
Edge will use the airport facilities to test and develop its new Conformal Vortex Generator (CVG) technology, a device that helps reduce drag on aircraft wings to increase fuel efficiency. The company has committed to bringing 120 new jobs to the area, with positions ranging from engineering to piloting.
With thousands of acres available to house future industry, airport officials are working closely with the EDA to get the word out about the opportunities available.
“It’s a long-term process that takes time,” said Airport Director Parker McClellan. “The entire community has to work together for the success of projects here and throughout Bay County.”
Roberts and the Bay Chamber also indicated goals to work closer with the EDA in the coming year to show the world what Bay County has to offer.
“I have great expectations for 2015,” Roberts said. “I just think a lot of pieces of the puzzle are coming together. Bay County has a lot of potential.”
Top 10 of 2014:
- No. 10: Bankers imprisoned in fraud case»»
- No. 9: County studies RESTORE Act funding»»
- No. 8: Area sees wild weather, from ice storm to flooding»»
- No. 7: City establishing plan for bed tax distribution»»
- No. 6: St. Joe closes major land sale, plans huge development»»
- No. 5: Bay economy bouncing back»»
- No. 4: Marina progress»»