The Chamber Corner

April First Friday Focused on New International Airport
It’s time once again to mark your calendar for our April First Friday program.

This Friday morning, April 4th, at the Ag Conference Center on Penn Avenue, we will be presenting a special program on the new Panama City-Bay County International Airport.

State Representative Jimmy Patronis, who played a major role in securing approval for the new airport while serving as chairman of the airport authority, and Randy Curtis, Executive Director of the Panama City-Bay County International Airport, who manages airport operations and oversees the entire development project, will be discussing the airport’s progress and the implications of its development on our region.

Our program is titled "Engine of Growth: Building the Panama City-Bay County International Airport", and our program this month is sponsored by one of Jackson County’s newest businesses, The UPS STORE. Owned and operated by local businesswoman Judy Williams, The UPS Store will soon be opening its doors at 4417 Constitution Lane in downtown Marianna. State Representative Jimmy Patronis.

Jimmy Patronis (R) was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, District 6, in November 2006. House District 6 includes portions of Bay County, all of Gulf County, and the city of Apalachicola in Franklin County. A lifelong resident of Bay County, Jimmy is a partner in Captain Anderson’s Restaurant and Market. Representative Patronis is recognized as an outstanding leader in his hometown and throughout the state. As mentioned before, he is a past Chairman and Board Member of the Bay County-Panama City International Airport and Industrial District, and played an important role in securing approval for the new Panama City-Bay County International Airport.

Randy Curtis, Executive Director
Panama City-Bay County International Airport Joining Representative Patronis in the presentation about the new airport is Randy Curtis, Executive Director of the Panama City-Bay County International Airport. Randy has 32 years experience in airport management and has served for 12 years as Executive Director of the Panama City-Bay County Airport. He has a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Technology from Middle Tennessee State University and a master’s degree in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee.

Randy has been at the forefront of the planning process to secure funding and approval for the new international airport, and is now in operational charge of seeing the construction and relocation project through from inception to completion.

We are excited to have Randy and Rep. Patronis visit with us and provide an update on the airport project and information about the projected long term economic impact on the region in general, and Jackson County in particular.

We start serving breakfast at 7:00am and the program begins at 7:45am. Remember, our First Friday Power Breakfast is this Friday, April 4th at the Ag Conference Center on Penn Avenue. Don’t miss this important program!

Ribbon Cutting
Last week we were proud to visit Graceville and assist with the Grand Opening celebration of Tri County Oil and Lube located on Hwy 77 just one block north of the VF Factory Outlet. Owned by long time locals Alan and Robin Wakefield, Tri-County Oil and Lube will handle all of your automotive service needs. Additionally, their adjoining convenience store and fuel pumps can take care of all of your commuting and quick service needs. Drop by and visit with Alan and Robin. Tell them you read about their new business in The Jackson County Times.