The local economy trended this week.
Shipbuilding City
On Monday, we broke the news that the City of Pensacola has applied to Triumph Gulf Coast seeking $86 million to help finance construction of a major shipbuilding facility at the Port of Pensacola. The $250 million project, designated “Project Maeve” in the pre-application, would create approximately 2,000 high-wage manufacturing jobs. Meanwhile, Patti Marine has expanded its operation, thanks to $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s Maritime Administration.
Pensacola Seeks $86M for Massive Shipbuilding Project
Mayor D.C. Reeves Unveils Vision for Port of Pensacola
Pensacola Shipbuilder Patti Marine Expands
Can We Count to Three?
County Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger touted her agenda item—a discussion of whether to hire a consultant to “evaluate and make recommendations to maximize the efficiency of the County’s operations to achieve the rollback rate with the least impact to the community.” Her press release asserted that such a study would have saved taxpayers $11 million had been done last year. Unfortunately, the District 4 commissioner once again failed to read the room and garnered little support from the board. Hofberger has a similar problem when she tried to get support for a Tiny House ordinance in October.
Audit Consultant Proposal Falls Flat – Rick’s Blog
Other Top Posts:
Pensacola Board Rewrites PBS, DEI Discussions – Rick’s Blog
PLT Withdraws From Escambia Children’s Trust – Rick’s Blog
Former UWF VP Named St. Cloud State President – Rick’s Blog
UWF Business 2025 HOF Class Inducted – Rick’s Blog
FOP Endorses Goss for Pensacola Police Chief – Rick’s Blog
Late Breaking News
We were the first to report the University of West Florida has narrowed its presidential search to a single candidate: the man who’s already been doing the job, according to a press release sent before Saturday noon. This has been blowing up on social media.
On Friday, we had this story before anyone else. Sen. Don Gaetz has a bill to fix the state’s voucher system.
INWEEKLY – NOV. 20, 2025
What Did Achieve Escambia Achieve?
A decade ago, leaders of Escambia County’s four largest private employers sat down together and discussed their struggles to find qualified job applicants. Too many Escambia high school students graduated without…
Winners & Losers 11/20/25
Winner: James M. Cox Foundation—American Rivers announced the largest grant in its history: a $10 million commitment from the James M. Cox Foundation to advance the organization’s Life Depends on Rivers campaign. The…
Outtakes—Raise the Mayor’s Pay
The Pensacola City Council made a mistake when it didn’t pass an ordinance that would determine the mayor’s annual salary by the same formula used for the Superintendent of Schools. The…
Don Gaetz Fires on All Cylinders
State Sen. Don Gaetz is continuing his longstanding tradition of filing bills that generate statewide headlines. His latest is Senate Bill 86, which targets semitruck owners and their undocumented drivers….
