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FGNW NEWS


 

Triumph Board Approves United FORWARD, the Economic Diversification Plan of Florida’s Great Northwest

Posted: August 28, 2025

Northwest Florida – Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) received unanimous approval from Triumph Gulf Coast’s board of directors at its August 27th meeting at the Bay County Commission Chambers for its transformative initiative, FGNW: United FORWARD. Designed as a comprehensive, two-part strategy, the initiative aims to fast-track economic diversification across Northwest Florida. Triumph Gulf Coast is a nonprofit entity responsible for administering 75 percent of the funds secured by the Florida Attorney General as compensation for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. 

United FORWARD, developed by FGNW, the ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥app economic development organization for Northwest Florida, outlines an ambitious and forward-thinking plan. The initiative includes a refresh of the region’s economic development strategy, in-depth marketing research, the creation of a targeted promotional campaign, and the launch of the most strategic, multi-channel Market Activation Plan ever executed in the region for economic development purposes. 

The Triumph award allocates $4.77 million, supporting all eight coastal counties impacted by the oil spill. Combined with FGNW’s matching investment, the initiative’s total economic impact will surpass $6.6 million—marking the largest single investment in strategic planning and marketing in Northwest Florida’s history. 

“This milestone is the result of years of unwavering commitment, collaboration, and belief in the potential of Northwest Florida,” said Jennifer Conoley, President & CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest, “We've listened, planned, and built strong ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥app partnerships to position our communities for long-term success. The approval of United FORWARD is not just a funding win — it’s a validation of the vision we've pursued to diversify and strengthen our economy for generations to come.” She added, “United FORWARD was not built overnight. It’s the product of a deliberate and inclusive strategic process—rooted in research, shaped by input from ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥app stakeholders, and aligned with the unique strengths of Northwest Florida. Every element of this initiative was designed to drive measurable impact and long-term economic resilience. This isn’t just a plan on paper—it’s a roadmap for action.”  

FGNW will be updating the region’s economic development strategy in "The Next Generation of Northwest Florida FORWARD,” providing a framework for ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥app diversification that leverages our existing assets and identifies new business attraction, expansion, and retention strategies. It will also develop a robust Market Activation Plan grounded in thorough research that will amplify FGNW’s marketing efforts to unprecedented levels.  

With this new framework, FGNW will expand its focus to not only strengthen relationships within its core target sectors—like manufacturing and aerospace—but also identify and pursue emerging industries aligned with the region’s assets and workforce potential. Through enhanced data analysis, strategic site readiness, and targeted outreach, the initiative aims to increase the volume and velocity of new business attraction, while deepening support for existing employers looking to expand. The expected outcome is a more diversified economy, with sustainable growth that leads to even greater job creation, elevated household incomes, and a more resilient tax base that supports essential services and infrastructure across Northwest Florida. 

 

ABOUT FLORIDA’S GREAT NORTHWEST

Florida’s Great Northwest is the ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥app economic development organization for the Florida Panhandle. The organization was created to promote Northwest Florida for economic growth and diversification, advocate for economic development issues that affect the region, and collaborate to improve ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥app competitiveness. The organization accomplishes this in partnership with the state and local economic development organizations, rural ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥app economic development organization, utility partners, private sector businesses, local government, higher education institutions, workforce boards, and community leaders.

 

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