Bill Arnett getting his feet wet at Walton County Economic Development Alliance

Ten months after its formation, the Walton County Economic Development Alliance this week welcomed its first executive director. WCEDA, a non-profit organization, is co-located with the Walton County Chamber of Commerce and governed by a board

Bill Arnett, who comes to Walton County from a similar post in Ohio's Fairfield County, said he is fortunate to have a strategic plan already in place.

WCEDA Chair Sara Comander said she couldn't be more pleased with the caliber of individual who will lead economic development in Walton County.

Asked what he'll be doing during the next month, Arnett expressed unbridled enthusiasm for his new job and home.

"I'll be getting my arms around Walton County," said Arnett. "At this point, I do know where my desk is."

Arnett is an economic development practitioner with more than 12 years experience working in the public and private sectors in Ohio. Arnett's previous experience included three years with one of the fastest-growing counties in Ohio, where he was involved with low interest loan funds and job creation programs under Fairfield's county commissioners.

Arnett says he is tremendously excited about the opportunity to serve as the Walton County Economic Development Alliance's first executive director. He looks forward to working with public and private sector investors to encourage job growth and improve the quality of life for Walton County residents.

According to Arnett, WCEDA is presently well-funded from the public sector with a first year budget of $230,000. Arnett said that he would be working to achieve a 50/50 public/private split in funding for the Alliance.

"Renewable and clean energy is a major initiative," said Dawn Moliterno, executive director of the Walton County Chamber. "Ronnie Bell (county administrator) and I are looking over the options and Bill will be looking at this, too," said Moliterno. She added building marketing, hiring an assistant and getting out to meet the community are also top priorities.

Other priorities mentioned by Arnett include business attraction and expansion, growing the employment base and undertaking a branding process to include the board and community stakeholders.

"We'll be working on branding, to find out what makes Walton County unique for business," said Arnett. He indicated that plans may include hiring a public relations firm or ad agency to assist in that effort.

The Walton County Economic Development Alliance is a public/private partnership serving the greater Walton County area whose mission is to establish Walton County as a great place to grow businesses, attract new investment and create quality jobs.

WCEDA was founded in August 2008 by Walton County Board of County Commissioners, the cities of DeFuniak Springs, Freeport and Paxton and the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce. WCEDA is led by a board of directors made up of a diverse group of community leaders from a broad range of private and public organizations, including the following individuals:

Who is the WCEDA?

 Chair - Sara Comander, County Commissioner

Vice-Chair - Mike Lawson, Lawson Law Firm

Chair-Elect -- Don Brown, First National Insurance Agency

Treasurer - Lori Kelley, O'Sullivan Creel

Mickey Marse, Mayor, City of Freeport

Kim Kirby, City Manager, City of DeFuniak Springs

Carlene Anderson, Superintendent, Walton County School district

Mary Lou Reed, Workforce Development Board

David Goetsch, Northwest Florida State College

Ronnie Bell, County Administrator

Dawn Moliterno, Walton Area Chamber President & CEO

Hayward Thomas, Mayor, City of Paxton

Dewayne Youngblood, Walton County EDC Representative

Leigh Grantham, CHELCO