CRESTVIEW — Residents here know the drone of aircraft over Bob Sikes Airport is the sound of what some have called the area’s economic engine.
Candidates for regional, state and federal offices are learning that, too.
Laurel Hill resident Dennis Mitchell, a former Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce president and Crestview Technology Air Park’s project executive, voluntarily conducts area economic tours for candidates.
“It has been somewhat of a hobby of mine for the past three years,” Mitchell said. “It helps them find out about the economic engines that drive our community.”
Destinations include Bob Sikes Airport and several of its tenants, such as C-TAP and fixed-base operator Emerald Coast Aviation, area manufacturers and educational institutions.
RECENT ‘TOURISTS’
Mitchell’s most recent “tourists” — James Zumwalt and Jayer Williamson, running for U.S. House District 1 and Florida house District 3 respectively — visited June 2.
They began their day at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, where they met local business, civic and education leaders.
Their tour included Bob Sikes Airport with a stop at Sunshine Aero Flight Test. Owner Bob Keller’s work in aerial defense equipment testing is often an eye-opener.
“Visitors are completely surprised at the impact this company has on the region,” Mitchell said.
REGULAR STOPS
Other stops on Mitchell’s tours often include:
●Emerald Coast Aviation, the airport’s fixed-base operator, and its new terminal facility
●Florida A&M University’s Durell Peaden Jr. Center, downtown Crestview’s pharmacy school
●Certified Manufacturing, a Holt company producing electronics and components for aviation and defense clients
●Businesses in the Okaloosa Business Air Park adjacent to Bob Sikes Airport
●American Elite Molding, formerly Bay State Cable Ties, also near Bob Sikes Airport.
Mitchell said Zumwalt and Williamson’s lunchtime conversation typified comments he hears during his tours.
“Lunch at … Casbah (Coffee Company) was filled with talk by both men about how little they really had known about Crestview, even with their long tenure of residence in the Panhandle,” Mitchell said. “I assured them they were not alone.”
EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCES
“I can’t thank Dennis enough,” Zumwalt said. “When I lived in Niceville, I was very aware of Crestview, but when I returned and looked at it through the prism of a political candidate, it fits nicely with my assessment of its potential.
“Everyone is fully aware of the importance of protecting our military, our tourism and our agriculture, but the fourth leg of the barstool is manufacturing. Crestview is a powder keg just waiting to burst with possibilities.”
Former Destin Mayor Mel Ponder, a candidate for Florida House District 4, said he knew Crestview as the Okaloosa County seat, but after touring with Mitchell, was impressed with the community’s business strengths.
“It definitely opened my eyes to the assets that are on the ground there and up and running,” Ponder said. “Every single stop we made was amazing. (Mitchell’s tour) adds tremendous value to not only knowing about the existing operations there but to the potential it has for more economic growth.”
“What manufacturers are looking for are favorable tax codes, a good workforce, a state where the workforce would be happy, cheap land, infrastructure and room to grow — and Crestview hits all those marks,” Zumwalt said.
“What I saw there in Crestview got me thinking, when we lay the groundwork to bring manufacturing back to the United States, we have to direct toward it Northwest Florida.”
NO POLITICAL AGENDA
Mitchell said his tours follow no political agenda, party or ideology.
“These tours are aimed solely at providing candidates with facts and figures that may be useful to them in the future concerning policy issues,” Mitchell said. “It has been a mutually gratifying experience for both the business leaders and all of the candidates that have been visiting our area.”
Even if his tourists aren’t elected to offices they seek, Mitchell said as civic and community leaders, the knowledge they glean during a fact-finding trip around North Okaloosa County can benefit the area in the future.
“Each one of these candidates who’ve taken the time, and interest, to learn about our region invariably has become an ambassador for the quality of the Crestview area,” Mitchell said.
WANT A TOUR?
Candidates of any party for office who are not from Crestview and want to learn more about the area’s economic drivers can contact Dennis Mitchell, dennismitchell@fairpoint.net, for facility tours and information.
Candidates of any party for office who are not from Crestview and want to learn more about the area’s economic drivers can contact Dennis Mitchell, dennismitchell@fairpoint.net, for facility tours and information.
WANT A TOUR?
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Candidates tour Crestview's economic hotspots: 'It opened my eyes'