Gulf Power Company — long active in economic development in Northwest Florida — is beefing up its business development efforts through a number of new initiatives, including grants, trade shows, and leadership development.

The utility has recently introduced a new program that provides grants to businesses that move into buildings that have been vacant for 12 months or longer. The “Re-occupancy” incentive is designed to fill vacant storefronts by providing a grant based on the total number of square feet and the type of business.  

“This is just one of our new efforts to help build strong communities in Northwest Florida,” John Hutchinson, Gulf Power’s director of Public Affairs and Economic Development said.  “We are also looking at strengthening our staff and offering other incentives and efforts to help grow jobs.”  

Hutchinson, who is also chairman of Florida’s Great Northwest — the region’s economic development organization — noted that Gulf Power recently provided the leadership for a trade delegation to attend the Berlin Air Show where they had made appointments with a number of companies who will be suppliers to the new Airbus aircraft manufacturing plant locating in Mobile.

“We will continue to work with our economic development partners in Northwest Florida to help our existing businesses expand and to help recruit new business,” Hutchinson said.  “We have a window of opportunity with Airbus that we don’t want to miss — we want to help the region play offense when it comes to economic development.”

Hutchinson also noted the upcoming Gulf Power Economic Symposium as an opportunity for business, community and government leaders to get together to discuss economic development issues.

“We have more than 500 local, regional and state leaders that we bring together each year to hear national speakers, to look at our economic development pluses and minuses and to learn how we can improve.  It’s important that we have everyone pulling in the same direction.”

Hutchinson said interested parties can get more information on the Re-occupancy Incentive, the Economic Symposium and more at gulfpower.com.

“We are continuing to look for ways to promote economic growth,” Hutchinson said.  “New incentives, trade show visits, leadership training, and infrastructure development are all part of how we plan to boost our economic development efforts and we encourage others to join us.”

Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 430,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely provide exceptional customer value by delivering reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity while strengthening our communities. Visit online at GulfPower.com or on the company’s Facebook page, “Gulf Power Company.”