Daily Outtakes: Winner edition

Pensacola International Airport Wins For Titan

Pensacola International Airport has been honored with the Commercial Service Airport Project of the Year award by the Florida Department of Transportation for Project Titan Element 1, ST Engineering’s second hangar at the airport.

Why this matters: Pensacola International Airport distinguished itself among other Florida airport nominees, including Orlando International Airport, Miami International Airport and Southwest Florida International Airport, by demonstrating exceptional contributions to airport development, sustainability, efficiency, capacity, and safety.

This award-winning project further signifies the airport’s steadfast commitment to innovation and economic growth in the region.

Dig Deeper: Completed in October 2022, Titan Element 1 is a cutting-edge maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility developed by ST Engineering. It is the second hangar in a planned four-hangar aircraft MRO campus, part of a project co-funded by ST Engineering, Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., the City of Pensacola, Escambia County, the State of Florida, and various state and federal organizations.

Titan Element 1 is part of an MRO campus that is projected to create over 1,700 jobs, with each hangar generating more than 400 full-time jobs. These jobs offer an average wage of nearly $50,000, contributing to economic resilience in Northwest Florida and providing individuals with opportunities for career advancement and financial growth.

“This award is a testament to the visionary leadership and hard work of all the stakeholders involved in the Titan Element 1 project,” stated Pensacola International Airport Director Matt Coughlin, “We are immensely proud of this achievement, which not only elevates Pensacola International Airport’s standing in the aviation industry but also contributes to the growth and diversification of our region’s economy.”

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So Does Walker Wilson

The Downtown Improvement Board (DIB) board of directors yesterday unanimously voted to extend the contract of executive director Walker Wilson for another three-year term.

Wilson, who was selected in 2020 from a competitive pool of 53 candidates, assumed the position on October 1st of the same year. Within his first six months, he steered downtown through the challenges posed by Hurricane Sally and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, while simultaneously reducing overhead costs by 5% and launching significant initiatives for the 44-block downtown district.

Accomplishments:

Prioritized the expansion of the Downtown Ambassadors program, employing a local, minority-owned business and increasing the number of crew members responsible for cleaning downtown sidewalks and public areas each day.

Collaborated closely with the City of Pensacola over the past 18 months to develop a plan for the installation of public restrooms downtown.

Worked to amend a 35-year-old ordinance, clearing the path for the expansion of Palafox Market into a second location at Plaza Ferdinand in June.

Under his guidance, the downtown area has witnessed an expansion of holiday lights, creating a festive atmosphere over a broader footprint during the holiday season. He has also spearheaded the organization of several popular local events, including Foo Foo Festival’s Bubble Alley and Son et Lumière, as well as Repast dinners, which have garnered significant community engagement and appreciation.

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Too Hot for National Night Out

I asked Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall whether PPD had anything planned for National Night Out on August 1st?

“Yes, but our National Night Out for Escambia County is going to be in October … The committee voted to move it to October because of the extreme heat that’s outside and so we get more people involved.”