The State of Florida, Escambia County, & Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

Economic Diversification Plan

The Challenge

Escambia County is one of several communities in the State of Florida that is largely impacted by the presence of a military base. The State of Florida recognized that it’s communities with strong military influence should assess their economies and look for ways to diversify as a safeguard against a negative impact to the economy should a base closure occur.

The Approach

TIP Strategies was engaged by the State of Florida’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development (OTTED) to develop an Economic Diversification Plan for Escambia County. The Department of Defense provided significant funding to the State of Florida for this project with an objective of diversifying the economy. The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) announcement by the Department of Defense led to this study.

The goal was to identify target industries and craft a blueprint to guide Escambia’s economic development efforts. TIP worked closely with the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, who coordinated meetings and provided strategic insight and past planning documents. TIP

1. assessed the region’s challenges and opportunities,
2. analyzed industries that represented the highest potential for growth in Escambia County, and
3. prepared specific recommendations and an implementation plan.

The Outcome

There were two deliverables provided to the State of Florida and the Pensacola Bay Chamber of Commerce – a Target Market Study and a Strategic Plan for Diversifying the Economy of Escambia County. The Target Market Study described key issues that have a bearing on the County’s economic success and its ability to diversify the economy, and recommended specific industries that could flourish in the county. The second deliverable, a Strategic Plan for Diversifying the Economy of Escambia County, focuses on actions the county should take to enhance its ability to succeed in attracting and expanding the targeted industries. The strategies outlined provide the Chamber with a framework for economic growth and help define the county in the minds of businesses and residents throughout the region.

Escambia County is at the crossroads of its economy. One path continues the current course with a focus on traditional industry, tourism, and the Navy. TIP recommended a new path that will take the community into a new frontier marked by: strengthened existing business, a vibrant and growing downtown, growth in professional service businesses, development of technology research with direct applications, and an influx of new faces and talent in the community.

“From the beginning of our project, TIP has been thorough, timely, and innovative in their approach to helping us address the diversification of Pensacola and Escambia County’s economy.”

Evon Emerson Pensacola Bay Area Chamber Of Commerce, President & CEO

Strategic Planning Capital Area Council of Governments, Texas City of Commerce, Texas City of Dallas, Texas City of Denton, Texas City of Gresham, Oregon City of Kyle, Texas City of Northfield, Minnesota City of Richmond, Virginia City of Rowlett, Texas City of Watsonville, California Coastal Bend Council of Government, Texas Delta Regional Authority Escambia County & Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Florida Forney Economic Development Corporation Fort Smith, Arkansas Gillespie County, Texas Hinds County, Mississippi Jackson County Business Development Corporation, Illinois Katy Area Economic Development Council, Texas Kirkland Economic Partnership, Washington Lake County Economic Growth and Redevelopment, Florida Lincoln Trail Area Development District (KY) McCormick County, South Carolina McKinney Economic Development Corporation, Texas Midland Development Corporation, Texas Okaloosa Economic Development Council and Walton County Economic Development Corporation, Florida Pearland Economic Development Corporation, Texas Racine County, Wisconsin Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) Stuttgart Unlimited, Arkansas Tyler Economic Development Council, Texas Union County Industrial Board, Arkansas

Industry Cluster Analysis Beaumont Economic Development Foundation, Texas Carolinas Gateway Partnership Katy Area Economic Development Council, Texas New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, Texas Pearland Economic Development Corporation Southwest Mississippi Partnership Tompkins County - Ithaca, New York Impact Analysis City of Rockport, Texas Entrepreneurship Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas Northeast Texas Workforce Clarksville-Montgomery County, Tennessee State of Vermont WorkFORCE Solutions - Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas Defense Communities City of Wichita Falls, Texas Escambia County & Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Florida Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, Texas Okaloosa Economic Development Council and Walton County Economic Development Corporation, Florida