Mayor Ashton Hayward receives 5G Wireless Champion Award

CTIA, the wireless industry association, has presented Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward with its 5G Wireless Champion Award. The Award honors Mayor Hayward’s leadership in encouraging 5G wireless investment and innovation in Pensacola.

The 5G Wireless Champion is awarded in recognition of Mayor Hayward’s partnering with the wireless industry to spur next-generation 5G wireless networks in Pensacola by removing outdated barriers to infrastructure deployments.

According to Accenture, the wireless industry will invest $275 billion to deploy 5G networks across the U.S., generating 3 million new jobs and $500 billion in economic growth. Reducing timelines to deploy 5G by 12 months will generate an additional $100 billion in economic growth. In Pensacola, Accenture estimates 5G will bring $43 million in new network investment, create more than $30 million in smart city benefits and add $80 million to the local economy.

You can read the full article on the award from CTIA by visiting their website.

Bay Area Resource Council receives $2 million from EPA to create estuary program

The Bay Area Resource Council (BARC) was awarded a $2 million cooperative agreement on Wednesday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program to develop a new estuary program in the Florida panhandle.

The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program will aim to protect and restore our watershed and achieve sustainable environmental results. EPA sponsored the project in partnership with the state of Florida for inclusion on the RESTORE Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council’s Funding Priorities List.

The Gulf of Mexico Program began in 1988 to protect, restore and maintain the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in economically sustainable ways. The Gulf of Mexico Program is funded by the EPA and is a non-regulatory, inclusive consortium of state and federal government agencies and representatives of the business and agricultural community, fishing industry, scientists, environmentalists, and community leaders from all five Gulf States.

BARC is made up of elected officials from municipalities in the region. Councilwoman Jewel Cannada-Wynn serves on the board for the City of Pensacola.

Port Director Amy Miller elected to chair FSTED Council

Pensacola Port Director Amy Miller was elected to chair the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council at their meeting in St. Petersburg on Wednesday.

The FSTED Council is comprised of the port directors for Florida’s 15 public seaports, and representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation and the Department of Economic Opportunity. The Council oversees the FSTED Program (Chapter 311, Florida Statutes), a state and local financing program of priority seaport transportation projects. The Florida Ports Council staffs the FSTED Council and administers the FSTED program.

“The FSTED Council is continually committed to identifying and allocating funds to port projects that will enhance the economy and bring jobs and trade to the state of Florida," Miller said. "I am honored to have been elected by my peers to chair this important program.”

Miller has been at the Port of Pensacola for more than 16 years, serving as port director since 2013. She has worked in the maritime industry for 25 years.

"The driver has picked up three huge piles of assorted yard debris across the street from my home using the large claw on the truck. What is especially commendable is that he has worked in the open without a raincoat or poncho during a very heavy downpour of rain. In addition, he has just now raked up some of the scattered debris and put it in the truck, also. I would expect that most drivers would have waited until the rain passed."

-John

"I just wanted to formally thank one of your East Hill yard debris drivers today... NELSON! He did an absolutely amazing job today picking up debris piles on my street. He didn’t just use the machine to pick up what he could... he actually got out and neatly hand raked the surrounding areas!"

-Maria

"I just wanted to say thank you to the sanitation driver who was so helpful to me today. I was right about to pick up my dumpster. The garbage bags I use are black and blend in with the inside of the dumpster. Truth be told, I didn't open the lid that wide. Anyway, your driver honked at me and I looked again. They hadn't come to pick it up yet - they were still working the other side of the street. You have some great people working for you!"

-Liz

Mayor made honorary captain for UWF Football home opener

The Argos went on to win the season opener in a 19-9 victory over #22 ranked Carson-Newman.

Save the date! The 10^th Annual Pensacola Mayor’s Cup Golf Class is coming up!

Join Mayor Ashton Hayward and the City of Pensacola for the 10th Annual Pensacola Mayor’s Cup Golf Classic on October 5, 2018 at Osceola Golf Course. This will be Mayor Ashton Hayward's 8th and final year as host of this annual golf tournament which raises funds for The First Tee of Northwest Florida and showcases the city's golf course.

The annual Mayor’s Cup event is a four-person scramble with a shotgun start at 1:00 PM and is open to all players. The cost is $85 per individual or $325 per foursome if you register by the early bird deadline of September 21, 2018. Fees increase to $95 per individual and $350 per foursome afterwards. Registration includes free beverages and food, a tournament shirt, gift bag, and awards ceremonies.

The Mayor has teamed up with The First Tee of Northwest Florida. The First Tee is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to positively impact the lives of young people through the game of golf.

Participants can find registration information online at thefirstteenwflorida.org. Sponsorship opportunities are available ranging from $100 (tee signs) up to $1,500. For more information, interested parties can contact The First Tee of Northwest Florida at (850) 456-7010.

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Photo Credit: @taylorzagars