Business View Civil and Municipal | Volume 2, Issue 7

132 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 2, ISSUE 7 where Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, and lots of defense contractors are based. The Santa Rosa Economic Developmental Office (EDO) aims to create even more local jobs by attracting additional businesses to the area. There are even discussions for a small business incubator type of facility. “It’s all about growing employment opportunities within the county and reducing that outward commute,” Schebler maintains. “For example, we have the Santa Rosa Industrial Park with available land for purchase. There’s also the new 267-acre Whiting Aviation Park just outside Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field. We’re developing the first 40 acres now. Our first increasing price of construction materials. This may delay some of the construction, but not stop it altogether. In the meantime, the county is also looking to improve broadband infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to easily function online at home, which is difficult for underserved areas. With the assistance of federal dollars for the expansion and improvement of broadband connectivity, this is soon to change for all areas of the county. During non-pandemic times, many residents travel outside Santa Rosa for work. About 17 percent commute west to Escambia County, where the Navy Federal Credit Union is located. Many others commute east to Okaloosa County,