News & Media

A VIEW OF THE WAR HORSE. [ HORNBECK OFFSHORE SERVICES ]
Eastern lands major shipbuilding deal
01/11/2024
After a decade-long court battle between two Louisiana-based shipbuilders was finally settled a few months ago, Eastern has been the fortunate recipient of a contract to complete the work on two enormous state-of-the-art support vessels for the oil and gas industry.
Read More about Eastern lands major shipbuilding deal
clear
MARINA GENERAL MANAGER PRESTON SUTTER CUTS THE RIBBON FOR THE NEW POINT SOUTH MARINA.
Hundreds gather for marina grand opening
04/15/2023
On Friday afternoon, hundreds of locals gathered at the newly rebuilt facility to celebrate the progress at the marina and the progress of the community as a whole following the storm.
Read More about Hundreds gather for marina grand opening
clear
FRESENIUS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS KATHERINE COSBY CUTS THE RIBBON FOR THE NEW PORT ST. JOE FACILITY.
Ribbon cutting celebrates dialysis services return to Port St. Joe
03/23/2023
For two years, many drove to Tallahassee or Panama City to receive their kidney dialysis treatment three times a week. Others went more frequently than that. But on Thursday, at the ribbon cutting for the town’s brand new Fresenius Medical Center of North America dialysis facility, local officials and representatives from different healthcare agencies gathered to celebrate what they say is the end to these patients’ dilemma.
Read More about Ribbon cutting celebrates dialysis services return to Port St. Joe
clear
The new Fresenius facility is located on the Ascension Sacred Heart complex.
Dialysis facility to open in Gulf County next month
01/28/2023
Almost two years since Gulf County’s only kidney dialysis provider shuttered their doors, a new kidney dialysis facility will be opening next month.
Read More about Dialysis facility to open in Gulf County next month
clear
Inside the new dry dock facility at the Point South Marina
Port St. Joe marina reopens four years after Hurricane Michael
11/30/2022
It has been more than four years since Hurricane Michael flattened the Port St. Joe Marina and almost as long since the community began to anticipate its reopening. The wait is finally over.
Read More about Port St. Joe marina reopens four years after Hurricane Michael
clear
Gulf County Last 30 Years Unemployment Rate
Gulf County unemployment reaches record lows
07/05/2022
In the 30 years since Gulf County began tracking its unemployment rate, it has never posted as low as it did in April. At just 1.9 percent, there were only 104 people listed as unemployed, despite workforce numbers having returned to near pre-Covid normals.
Read More about Gulf County unemployment reaches record lows
clear
Carlos Sarmiento cuts the ribbon for the new Burger King.
Wewa's Burger King hosts holding company's 'largest opening to date'
07/05/2022
According to Sherrie Walter, the opening of the Wewahitchka Burger King has been, so far, the largest Burger King opening in the region. “So far this has been our largest opening to date in the region,” she said, “even larger than our one in Santa Rosa County, which we just thought no one would ever beat.”
Read More about Wewa's Burger King hosts holding company's 'largest opening to date'
clear
Jobless Rate
Gulf County jobless rate dips below 2%
05/31/2022
Gulf County’s unemployment rate dropped sharply in April, improving to where fewer than 1 in 50 people in the workforce are without jobs. According to data released last week by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the county’s jobless rate dipped to 1.9 percent as the labor force grew by 26 workers, to a total of 5,358, and the unemployment rate dropped by four-tenths of 1 percentage point.
Read More about Gulf County jobless rate dips below 2%
clear
Drone photo showing the DATT airship
Skyborne airship technology nears final flight test
05/16/2022
The seven-story high DATT, which stands for Detachable Airship from a Tethered Technology, has been years in the making. But after the successful inflation test on Tuesday, there is only about a month left until Skyborne can execute the aircraft’s final flight test.
Read More about Skyborne airship technology nears final flight test
clear
Gulf Corrections Sign
County hopes prison salary increases aid efforts to reopen work camp
04/07/2022
According to Gulf Correctional Institution Warden Scott Payne, there are currently 107 available jobs at Gulf County prison facilities, including 65 jobs at the temporarily closed Gulf Forestry Camp.
Read More about County hopes prison salary increases aid efforts to reopen work camp
clear
Aerospace
Wewa-based aerospace company creates Space Tourism Division
01/06/2022
UAV Corp. is opening a new division within their Gulf County operations that aims to use their existing airship technology to make space travel more accessible, the company announced on Dec. 21.
Read More about Wewa-based aerospace company creates Space Tourism Division
clear
Dialysis
Gulf backs dialysis center subsidy, seeks Franklin help
01/06/2022
Gulf County could soon see the return of a full-service kidney dialysis center, thanks largely to a generous five-year subsidy from the county to cover start-up costs. Whether Franklin County is willing to chip in a portion of that subsidy, and what pot of money it might come out of, remains up in the air.
Read More about Gulf backs dialysis center subsidy, seeks Franklin help
clear
Port Authority
Port Authority closer to securing dredging dollars
09/23/2021
The Port of Port St. Joe Port Authority is one step closer to securing $15 million from Triumph to help fund a dredging project that would deepen the channel allowing ships to enter the bay.
Read More about Port Authority closer to securing dredging dollars
clear
Staten Island Ferry
Farewell, Staten Island Ferry
08/17/2021
On Friday, as a crowd of Eastern Shipbuilding shipyard workers gathered at the water’s edge to watch, the tugboat Colonel eased from its mooring at 1:55 p.m. with the Staten Island Ferry SSG Michael H. Ollis in tow, embarking on its approximately 12-day journey around Florida and up the East Coast for delivery to the New York Department of Transportation.
Read More about Farewell, Staten Island Ferry
clear
Deletrates
County ‘commemorates beautifully’ Eastern shipyard opening
07/15/2021
Standing beside a pair of freshly finished, pumpkin-orange ferries, soon to shuttle millions of New Yorkers each year between the boroughs of Manhattan and Staten Island, the ninth smallest county in Florida celebrated its good fortune Thursday morning.
Read More about County ‘commemorates beautifully’ Eastern shipyard opening
clear
Twin Rivers
Twin Rivers opens Port after 20-year hiatus
05/17/2021
Sunday’s arrival of the foreign flag ship M/V UBC Saiki in St. Joe Bay signaled the opening of the St. Joe Port to the international shipping world for the first time in over 20 years. The port reopening has for many years been the mission of husband-and-wife team Clay and Ashley Crosby, owners of Twin Rivers Company.
Read More about Twin Rivers opens Port after 20-year hiatus
clear
Commissioners Tour
Commissioners tour Eastern Shipbuilding
04/05/2021
The fruits of seeds sowed years ago with a $6 million investment in infrastructure for a shipyard on the old mill site were sampled by Gulf County commissioners and other dignitaries on a tour Monday. Hosted by Eastern Shipbuilding President Joey D�Isernia, commissioners got an up-close and personal view of the new buildings, roadways, fencing, lighting, water lines and electrical service that populate the site, including the heavy-duty bollards necessary for mooring ships.
Read More about Commissioners tour Eastern Shipbuilding
clear
Staten Island Ferry a welcome arrival
03/04/2021
When thousands of New Yorkers travel to and fro between Manhattan and Staten Island in the years ahead, they won’t be thinking about Port St. Joe.
Read More about Staten Island Ferry a welcome arrival
clear
State grant provides help for airport infrastructure
02/11/2021
Gulf County has been awarded close to a half-million dollars in rural infrastructure dollars that will go towards completing infrastructure improvements at Costin Airport.
Read More about State grant provides help for airport infrastructure
clear
Ground Breaking
Breaking fresh ground
12/01/2020
They broke ground last week on the first expansion of the Gulf Franklin campus in 22 years.
Read More about Breaking fresh ground
clear
Airship
Skyborne’s newest airship passes test
11/23/2020
It’s called a DATT SA-70 semi-rigid airship, and it’s tested positive. Three months after Wewahitchka-based Skyborne Technology, Inc.’s investment arm, which owns Costin Airport in Port St. Joe, sailed through its annual inspection for manned and unmanned operations at the airport, the company has passed an essential stress test for getting its airship off the ground, and ultimately by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Read More about Skyborne’s newest airship passes test
clear
Officials Picture
A disaster in the unmaking
10/26/2020
The rotunda of Port St. Joe’s First United Methodist Church abounded with smiles because a disaster was being healed. At a Tuesday morning ceremony, Dana Gartzke, assistant secretary of the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, was the bearer of good news with his announcement that the Gulf County Board of County Commissioners will be the recipient of EDA disaster grant funds.
Read More about A disaster in the unmaking
clear
Chip Ship
Chip shipping sets sail
10/19/2020
Woodchip shipping out of St. Joe may be a tongue twister, but it’s a welcome one. The shipping of woodchips to Honduras took a big step forward this week with the arrival of four barges of woodchips from Pensacola.
Read More about Chip shipping sets sail
clear
Wood Chips
Port to ship wood chips to Honduras
10/05/2020
By the end of this month, they’ll be shipping wood out of Port St. Joe to Honduras, a first chip in what county leaders hope will be a big block of economic growth.
Read More about Port to ship wood chips to Honduras
clear
Solar Farm
Duke to build solar farm next year
10/05/2020
The blossoming of solar energy in Florida will sprout in Gulf County next year.
Read More about Duke to build solar farm next year
clear
Airship
Building an airship in Wewahitchka
09/28/2020
Behind the brick walls of the Industrial Park in Wewahitchka something aerial is going down.
Read More about Building an airship in Wewahitchka
clear
Skyborne
New name, same mission for Skyborne
08/12/2020
The name of the parent company will be changing, but Wewahitchka-based Skyborne Technology, Inc. remains on track to take off this fall. Skyborne Technology Investment Properties, which owns Costin Airport in Port St. Joe, recently passed its annual inspection for manned and unmanned operations at the airport, according to a company press release.
Read More about New name, same mission for Skyborne
clear
Drone Programs
Triumph approves GCSC drone programs
06/29/2020
Telecommunication issues notwithstanding, last Thursday’s meeting of the board of Triumph Gulf Coast was quite productive for Gulf Coast State College. The Triumph board finalized a grant agreement with the college for a drone “boot camp” program for exiting military personnel and their spouses in eight Northwest Florida counties.
Read More about Triumph approves GCSC drone programs
clear
Triumph forwards two Gulf/Franklin projects
05/07/2020
Depending on point of view last week’s meeting of the board of Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. was a mixed bag. For Gulf Coast State College, and its Gulf/Franklin Campus, it was a fruitful day with two projects that would be located in Gulf County moved ahead in the pipeline by the Triumph board.
Read More about Triumph forwards two Gulf/Franklin projects
clear
PSJ Marina rebuild to begin this month
05/07/2020
The rebuilding of the Port St. Joe Marina is about to break ground. The St. Joe Company announced last week its plan to construct a dry storage facility at the marina, which the company owns.
Read More about PSJ Marina rebuild to begin this month
clear
Skyborne
Skyborne acquired by technology company
03/19/2020
There might be a name or logo change in the future. But Tuesday’s announcement that Skyborne Technology had been acquired by another technology company was nothing but good news for Skyborne President and CEO Mike Lawson and his aspirations for his company’s Gulf County operations.
Read More about Skyborne acquired by technology company
clear
Drone
Triumph board provides “conceptual” approval to GCSC drone program
03/17/2020
The first step forward on a project to expand drone programs at Gulf Coast State College was taken last week by the board of Triumph Gulf Coast.
Read More about Triumph board provides “conceptual” approval to GCSC drone program
clear
Growing A Lasting Food Source - Deseret In The Florida Panhandle
01/16/2020
Most Florida farm producers are very good at conserving natural resources as they grow food. They know their livelihoods depend upon the land and water they manage. Michael Archibald and his employees at Deseret Cattle & Timber have a mission to preserve a substantial agricultural property for the indefinite future. They produce cattle and timber on more than 300,000 acres in various parcels located west of the Apalachicola River.
Read More about Growing A Lasting Food Source - Deseret In The Florida Panhandle
clear
Triumph grant
Triumph grant will double Gulf/Franklin nursing program
12/29/2019
Double the graduates double the nurses while expanding opportunities is the focus of a grant recently received by Gulf Coast State College.
Read More about Triumph grant will double Gulf/Franklin nursing program
clear
New Ship
Eastern Shipbuilding launches first of Staten Island ferries
12/29/2019
The long-sought expansion into Gulf County of Eastern Shipbuilding could happen before the end of the year, according to county officials.
Read More about Eastern Shipbuilding launches first of Staten Island ferries
clear
Port St Joe Marina
City Approves Marina Development
10/14/2019
Port St. Joe city commissioners last week approved plans by the St. Joe Company for development of the Port St. Joe Marina.
Read More about City Approves Marina Development
clear
USI
Drone Institute to establish County Training Center
07/15/2019
The Unmanned Safety Institute, which provides flight safety training and certification for unmanned aviation systems, or drones, announced this week it will establish the USI Center of Excellence at Gulf Coast State College’s Gulf/Franklin campus.
Read More about Drone Institute to establish County Training Center
clear
Airport Purchase
County, Skyborne celebrate airport purchase
04/08/2019
Skyborne Technology joined with county officials as they celebrated the company’s acquisition of the airport facility and expansion to the south end of the county of its operations.
Read More about County, Skyborne celebrate airport purchase
clear
Gulf County Industrial park
Skyborne, county celebrate airport purchase today
04/01/2019
Company and local officials are flying high over the recently announced expansion of Skyborne Technology. Skyborne and partner Unmanned Systems, Inc. (USI) will be demonstrating some of the reasons why beginning at 12 p.m. ET today at Costin Airport off Rutherford Road in Port St. Joe.
Read More about Skyborne, county celebrate airport purchase today
clear
County lends support to $450M biofuel project
04/01/2019
The Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday lent support to a project to build a $450 million biofuel plant in Gulf County.
Read More about County lends support to $450M biofuel project
clear
Drones
Skyborne Technology Acquires Costin Airport
03/20/2019
Skyborne Technology, Inc. expanded its Gulf County footprint this week. The developer, designer and manufacturer of manned and unmanned aviation systems, which established its first United States facility last fall in Gulf… Mar. 14, 2019
Read More about Skyborne Technology Acquires Costin Airport
clear
Eastern Shipbuilding Breaks Ground in Port St Joe on the Old Paper Mill Site
06/04/2018
By: Kirsten Mitchell PORT ST. JOE, Fla. - Eastern Shipbuilding continues to expand in the Panhandle bringing jobs along for the ride. This time they are headed to Gulf County to build on a piece of land that's been vacant for nearly 20 years.
Read More about Eastern Shipbuilding Breaks Ground in Port St Joe on the Old Paper Mill Site
clear
PORT AUTHORITY INKS LOI
10/06/2017
Wednesday was a day the Port St. Joe Port Authority has been awaiting for years
Read More about PORT AUTHORITY INKS LOI
clear
A BLANK CANVAS
10/04/2017
A port, a railroad and plenty of infrastructure give Gulf County a boost in its drive to grow the economy
Read More about A BLANK CANVAS
clear
THE PROMISE OF A PORT
03/20/2017
"From here, the Intracoastal is about 20,000 miles and you can go all the way to El Paso or all the way to Chicago. It is all about commerce." ~Capt. Jim Anderson
Read More about THE PROMISE OF A PORT
clear
COUNTY RESTORE PLAN APPROVED
03/20/2017
Gulf County's multi-year plan for spending RESTORE Act dollars has been approved by the U.S. Treasury.
Read More about COUNTY RESTORE PLAN APPROVED
clear
PORT OFFICIALS HAVE 'POSITIVE' MEETING WITH CORPS
03/20/2017
Officials with the Port St. Joe Port Authority came away from a recent meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers optimistic about attempts to address dredging costs.
Read More about PORT OFFICIALS HAVE 'POSITIVE' MEETING WITH CORPS
clear
EASTERN LANDS $10.5 BILLION CONTRACT
09/20/2016
Shipbuilding Group to add hundreds of jobs after securing largest contract in U.S. Coast Guard history
Read More about EASTERN LANDS $10.5 BILLION CONTRACT
clear
COUNTY MUST DECIDE SOON ON SPENDING $12 MILLION IN RESTORE FUNDS
07/27/2016
A second pot of RESTORE Act funds has suddenly become a planning priority for Gulf County officials.
Read More about COUNTY MUST DECIDE SOON ON SPENDING $12 MILLION IN RESTORE FUNDS
clear
PORT AUTHORITY, ST. JOE NEARING LOIS
07/27/2016
A tipping point for the development of the Port of Port St. Joe appears nigh.
Read More about PORT AUTHORITY, ST. JOE NEARING LOIS
clear
CHRIS HOLLEY: PORT ST. JOE IS RIGGED & READY FOR BUSINESS
07/14/2016
Chris Holley, executive director of the Gulf County Economic Development Center, describes the assets and factors that make Gulf County a unique and attractive environment for economic development.
Read More about CHRIS HOLLEY: PORT ST. JOE IS RIGGED & READY FOR BUSINESS
clear
DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL- 5 YEARS LATER INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS HOLLEY
07/12/2016
Chris Holley, member of the Gulf Consortium - Committee of Eight Disproportionately Affected Counties, explains how "Triumph legislation" and the RESTORE Act continue to aid Florida's Gulf counties following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Read More about DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL- 5 YEARS LATER INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS HOLLEY
clear