Pensacola shipyard awarded federal grant to support Maritime jobs in Pensacola 

Patti Marine Enterprises, Inc will receive almost a half-million dollars to support jobs in the maritime industry in Pensacola thanks to a federal grant. 

The United States Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced Patti Marine Enterprises, Inc was one of 29 small shipyards to receive funding as part of its Small Shipyard Grant program.

At a news conference Tuesday, Frank Patti, Jr. said this is the first federal grant the shipyard has ever received in its 40 years of existence, making it a historic award.

"We're taking this to the next level, being the fourth generation to Giuseppe Patti who came from Sicily, the Patti tradition continues," Patti said.

The $449,231 grant will be used to purchase a plasma cutting machine and iron worker. Mayor Ashton Hayward congratulated Patti and his family at the event on Tuesday for the big win.  

"This is what Pensacola is all about," Mayor Ashton Hayward said. "Small businesses are what make America great. You’re the ones that take the big risk. You take the loans out of the bank. You employ people, so your children can go to college and they can have dreams. The Patti family has made everyone have that opportunity.”

Two new Fitness Courts coming to Pensacola parks this month

Construction on the new courts is already well-underway. In fact, they are expected to be completed by August 18!

The courts are thanks to a partnership between Greater Pensacola Chamber, National Fitness Campaign and the Leadership Pensacola Class.

"Earlier this year, myself, Parks and Recreation Director Brian Cooper and Public Information Officer Vernon Stewart sat down to discuss how great this amenity would be for Pensacola and brought it forward to Leadership Class of 2018" Mayor Ashton Hayward said.

Be sure to “like” the LeaP into Fitness Facebook page to view videos on the progress, as well as get important dates.

Summer campers at Vickrey Center enter video contest for Park and Recreation Month 

Parks and Recreation Month has come to an end, but hopefully the celebration will continue. Kids who attended summer camp at the Vickrey Resource Center hope to win a video contest where they show off their newly-acquired dance moves!

The National Recreation and Park Association declared July as Park and Recreation Month. The organization designated Katrina and The Wave’s “Walking on Sunshine” as the official camp dance song. All across the country, campers put their best foot forward and learned the dance moves. They then filmed the dance and shared the video.

You can watch the video created by campers at the Vickrey Resource Center by visiting our YouTube page.

Good luck to our campers!

Save the date! Community meeting scheduled for Submerged Land Piling Removal project

Who: You!

What: Learn more about the upcoming piling removal project in submerged land to the south of Community Maritime Park. 

When: Wednesday, August 8 5:30-7 p.m.

Where: Sanders Beach 913 South I Street Pensacola, Fl 32502

Why: This project is an important first step to reactivate Pensacola Bay where the Frisco Docks once stood.

Need more information? No problem. Contact our Economic Policy Coordinator Rebecca Ferguson via email or by phone at 850-435-1699.

Andrea Kvech is our Employee of the Month!

Congratulations on the promotion, Lt. Stimmell!

WEAR-TV collects supplies so students are ready for new school year

Local ABC-affiliate, WEAR-TV, reports they had a successful school supply drive thanks to community support.

Cram The Van is a yearly effort to collect backpacks and other supplies for area students. This year, WEAR-TV reports they collected almost 2,000 backpacks.

Parents or guardians of students in the Escambia County School District can contact the school, principal or teacher and request supplies. When the child shows up on the first day, the supplies will be in the classroom waiting on them.

INSTAGRAM: Photo of the Week