Pensacola has been recognized by LinkedIn as one of the top 25 cities for new talent, citing our unique blend of “economic opportunity meets a laid-back lifestyle.” Interestingly, LinkedIn also highlighted the pandemic as a catalyst for Pensacola’s current boom.
- Background: FloridaWest’s Scott Luth and Sena Maddison pushed the CyberCoast concept and effectively attracted remote workers by running social ads in markets experiencing snowstorms, traffic congestion, government restrictions, and layoffs. Of course, after the January 2025 blizzard, this ad won’t work, but it did in February 2021.
It’s a stark contrast to the days after Hurricane Ivan, when our community was focused on rebuilding rather than lifestyle amenities. We desperately needed a vibrant, walkable downtown with diverse attractions. When discussions first began about bringing a ballpark, museum, and a UWF campus downtown, a key motivation was to create opportunities that would encourage our children to stay in Pensacola. See Right Idea, Right Time.
However, the impact of these efforts has far exceeded those initial goals. When the pandemic hit, Pensacola wasn’t debilitated. Instead, the groundwork we’d laid—creating a desirable environment—proved incredibly appealing to remote workers. We strategically marketed to this demographic because remote professionals from high-tech companies often become entrepreneurs, starting their own businesses and injecting valuable capital into our local economy.
Are you someone who came here or started your own business since the revitalization of downtown Pensacola? Reach out to us and let us remind Pensacola – rick@inweekly.net. We are planning to celebrate you.
#25 Pensacola Metro Area
Top industries hiring: Healthcare, Professional Services, Government Administration
Top employers: Navy Federal Credit Union, U.S. Navy, University of West Florida
Average income: $56,940
Average home listing price: $517,180
With the coast just steps away, Pensacola locals often head outside after work — especially to enjoy time on the beach.
