Fort Walton Businesses
Find out what businesses are in the Fort Walton area, along with resources for local businesses. And if you want to own your own business in FWB, find out how here!
Business in the Fort Walton Area
Fort Walton Beach is touted as the Treasure of the Emerald coast. With around 20,000 residents and many annual visitors, the area is primed and ready for business growth. The local economy is powered by the military and tourism. The two Air Force bases bordering Fort Walton, Hurlburt Field, and Eglin AFB, are big employers for the area, creating jobs with support businesses. And while there is certainly a “peak” season for the tourism industry, visitors come to the Emerald Coast year round; it’s has a huge snowbird population (retirees who flock to the warm weather during the winter)! Let’s examine the top businesses in Fort Walton, along with valuable resources for business owners. And if you’re interested in business opportunities here, we can show you how to do that, too.
Top Employers in Fort Walton
In terms of size, the top employers in the area are the two Air Force bases, the Okaloosa County School District, the county, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, Northwest Florida State college, and several technological companies. Other local companies may be more like small businesses, but they run the gamut. Local Fort Walton businesses fall into many categories: advertising, automotive, computers, finance, home and garden, personal care, agriculture and fishing, government, education, manufacturing, health care, communications, arts, real estate, shopping and more. Basically, any industry you can imagine is represented in the area.
Resources for Fort Walton Businesses
Two great resources for local businesses are the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and the City of Fort Walton Beach.
The Chamber works to bring together business leaders in the area to strengthen businesses and enhance quality of life in the community. They provide services for businesses including hosting networking events, promotional activities, advocacy for business owners, exposure to the community, and hosting special events. The chamber also works to connect Fort Walton businesses with HR companies and HR consultants for support.
The City of Fort Walton Beach works towards economic development in the area, making it a better place to own and operate a business. The City works to get grants and incentives to qualifying businesses, along with working with businesses to comply with city ordinances.
Both of these resources are valuable for businesses owners in the Fort Walton area.
How to Become a Business Owner in Fort Walton Beach
If you are interested in owning a business in Fort Walton Beach, you don’t have to navigate those waters alone. Emerald Coast Business Brokers are experts in helping to buy and sell businesses in Fort Walton Beach. After you contact them, they will work to match you with prescreened, successful businesses for sale that will align with your interests and skills. Our advisors will find a business to meet your needs that will allow you to reach your goals as an entrepreneur.
Throughout the entire business buying process, we will be there to help. From obtaining financing, coordinating attorneys and lenders, working through the period of due diligence, and creating a plan for the transition of the business, we are there for the entire process. Contact us to find your ideal Fort Walton business for sale. You’ll love owning a business here!