< Previous8 www.crestviewchamber.com S ometime around 1880, Pensacola & Atlantic Railroad surveyors stood on a crest along the Old Spanish Trail and realized its elevation — almost the highest in Florida — and prime location between the Yellow and Shoal Rivers would make a dandy place for a train depot. They named the spot Crest View Depot, and soon the site became a railroad camp from which workers extended the line east and west, meeting up with crews from depots 10 miles away on either side. A boxcar was the fledgling community’s first “building.” But soon, that would all change. Crest View Depot became the town of Crestview, and in 1916, became a chartered city. The next year the city got a telephone exchange. On April 3, 1917, voters chose Crestview as the seat of newly formed Okaloosa County. The county courthouse went up a year later, crowning Main Street as it still does today. Over the next two decades, voters approved bond issues for a city electrical plant, municipal water system, paved roads and a downtown sewing factory that today houses a campus of Florida A&M University’s pharmacy school. The first local school opened in 1879. Today, our one primary, five elementary, two middle and our high school consistently receive A or A-plus ratings from the state’s Department of Education. In addition to FAMU, Northwest Florida State College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University have Crestview campuses. Today Crestview is the county’s largest community and with ample room for organized growth, continues to expand. More than 1,000 new homes are in the planning stages, and new businesses open almost weekly. CITY OF CRESTVIEW City of Crestview The View from the Crest Written by: Brian Hughes, Public Information Officerwww.crestviewchamber.com 9 CITY OF CRESTVIEW Looking for a place to eat? Scores of scrumptious local establishment are available in the area. A new, forward-focused city manager form of government — ushered in by an August 2018 voter-approved charter change — took office in April 2019 and is driving a range of programs that tackle social and economic issues. Our new community chorus, outdoor monthly family movie nights and special events blossom under the newly formed Mayor’s Cultural Series. Streamlining business and development permitting and licensing, and partnering with interested business developers have led to new shopping, commercial and dining opportunities.10 www.crestviewchamber.com CITY OF CRESTVIEW And while more shopping malls close than open around the country in favor of the “Main Street” shopping experience, Crestview’s historic district has been ahead of the trend for more than 100 years. Eclectic shops and nearly a dozen downtown eateries are all within strolling distance. Downtown parades celebrate Martin Luther King Jr, Day, May Day, Crestview High School Homecoming, Veterans Day and Christmas. Crestview residents enjoy fun, family-friendly gatherings including our signature Triple B Barbecue Festival, spring antique car show, Strawberry Festival, Independence Day Celebration, and Fall Festival. www.crestviewchamber.com 11 Being located in your community and being an active member of it are two very different things. As your neighborhood funeral home, we’re honored to serve you both through funeral care and community involvement. 480 East James Lee Boulevard Crestview, Florida 32539-2829 BRACKNEY FUNERAL SERVICE Locally owned and operated (850) 683-9898 www.brackneyfuneralservice.com WE’RE ROOTED INTO YOUR COMMUNITY WE’RE NOT JUST IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CITY OF CRESTVIEW Since 1997, Crestview has partnered with Noirmoutier, France, through Sister Cities International, offering near-annual cultural and educational exchanges between our communities for our students and families. (Crestview proudly boasts the only Sister City program between Pensacola and Tallahassee). Fraternal and community organizations include Kiwanis, Rotary, Elks and Lions clubs, Masonic and Knights of Columbus lodges, and for the faithful, opportunities for spiritual growth can be found in our more than 50 local and regional churches of many faiths and sizes. Youth sports programs, Boy Scout troops, Girl Scouts, school sports, and community and social organizations provide our young residents with multiple opportunities for physical, social and cultural growth. Yet despite our vigorous growth, and thanks to the “New View” strategic plan that guides it, our simple country origins are never far from our minds, and their strong tenets of hard work, family, faith, community and patriotism continue to shape the vibrant, progressive city we call home. The view from the Crest never looked better!12 www.crestviewchamber.comwww.crestviewchamber.com 13 About the Chamber14 www.crestviewchamber.com T he Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce has been providing support to area businesses and the community since 1956. The Chamber serves to help grow local businesses and unite the various businesses to improve the economic environment for its members and enhance the quality of life for the citizens of the Crestview area. We offer a variety of events and committees to help members get involved. ABOUT THE CHAMBER About the Chamber The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit (501 c-6), non-governmental, private business organization governed by an elected Board of Directors. www.crestviewchamber.com 15 ABOUT THE CHAMBER Military Affairs Committee (Written by Committee Chair, Ryan Price) T he Military Affairs Committee (MAC) of the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce has earned an outstanding reputation for supporting our military members, their families and issues throughout Okaloosa County. The relationships we have forged strengthens the ties between the civilian and military communities. The Crestview area has become ‘home’ to both active duty and retired military families. MAC members are honored to attend many military events such as change of command, retirement ceremonies, base tours, civic leader dinners, and educational programs. Many of our past and current members have also have the privilege of serving a year as an Honorary Commanders. To show our support for our Men and Women of the military branches of service in our community including the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, & Coast Guard through awards and involvement in morale and welfare activities. Military activity in the Crestview area, throughout Okaloosa County, and Florida as a whole, has long been a major contributor to the economy. We host the largest military installation in the Department of Defense; Eglin Air Force Base. Eglin AFB spans 724 square miles of land area across three counties, 134,000 square miles of overland air space, and hosts multiple military service units and the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range. The military installations in our area are the #1 economic engine and generate additional employment by attracting defense contracting firms to the area. The defense-related spending in the County creates employment and investments and continues to multiply as it circulates throughout the region’s economy. With seven military installations in Northwest Florida, the annual economic impact of the military presence in the region is over $22 Billion, according to the 2017 Florida Defense Handbook. The tri-county area of Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties offers over $11 Billion in economic impact. We are proud to serve a community that serves. Young Professionals Committee The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Committee’s mission is to: encourage and enhance professional development in young leaders of the Crestview Community ages 21-41 by providing social interaction and networking opportunities. Each month, the group hears from a guest speaker and learns about topics related to personal and professional enhancement. They also participate in civic duties and activities to strengthen and develop our community. Ambassador Committee The Ambassador Committee assists in welcoming new businesses through ribbon cuttings, ground breaking ceremonies, grand openings, and personal visits. This highly visible committee will provide you an excellent opportunity to personally network your business or organizational interests. Ambassadors are called to serve as greeters and escorts at various Chamber functions and for various dignitary visits.16 www.crestviewchamber.comwww.crestviewchamber.com 17 Things to do in CrestviewNext >