Gulf Power Renews Economic Development Effort, Offers Business Grants

September 20, 2012

Gulf Power Company is beefing up its business development efforts through a number of new initiatives, including business grants.

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.”

Comments

2 Responses to “Gulf Power Renews Economic Development Effort, Offers Business Grants”

  1. Lois Hurd on September 28th, 2012 9:14 am

    Great Item!!!! How do I get more information on this Grant?

  2. Jane on September 20th, 2012 7:05 am

    Since our County Commissioners are doing nothing to add new business I applaud Gulf Power for making this effort to bring in much needed new business to the area!!!!!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News