West Florida Regional Planning Council becomes Emerald Coast Regional Council ………………

To better align and represent the true personality of the region and more closely identify with the world renowned regional uniqueness, the West Florida Regional Planning Council (WFRPC) has changed its name to Emerald Coast Regional Council (ECRC).

ECRC Chief Executive Officer, Austin Mount, said, “We have a rich history as WFRPC, but we have long surpassed the traditional roles of a regional planning council and we want our brand to communicate that. The challenges faced by communities across our region have become more numerous and complex. Regional councils must evolve to effectively partner with municipalities and counties to create innovative solutions to current and future problems. Our evolution is evident with our partners as we continue to build strong relationships and relevancy across the region.”

The ECRC staffs Florida-Alabama, Okaloosa-Walton, and Bay County Transportation Planning Organizations as well as the Bay, Gulf, Holmes, and Washington Regional Transportation Partnership and the Northwest Florida Regional Transportation Planning Organization.

The visually remarkable Emerald Coast, named for its unique emerald green water, impacts the region’s way of life, both economically and environmentally. The region draws millions of tourists from around the world seeking the vast natural features including springs, rivers, bayous, the state’s tallest waterfall, live oaks, beautiful forests, and the Gulf Coast.

The Emerald Coast region is home to strong and diverse communities united in identity, pride, and sense of place. While the region is large, communities share a unique culture influenced by the landscape, workforce, tourism, and industry. The defense sector continues to grow with consolidation of facilities from around the country. Of the twenty-one military installations in the state of Florida, the region is home to nine, covering over 500,000 acres. Military installations in the region include Tyndall Air Force Base, Naval Support Activity Panama City, Eglin Air Force Base (including Hurlburt Field, Duke Field, and the Army 7th Special Forces Group Airborne Cantonment), Naval Air Station Pensacola (including Corry Station, Bronson Field, and Saufley Field), and Naval Air Station Whiting Field.

The mission of the Emerald Coast Regional Council is to preserve and enhance the quality of life in northwest Florida by providing professional technical assistance, planning, coordinating, and advisory services to local governments, state and federal agencies, and the public. By building relationships with municipalities and community members, and by coordinating collaborative efforts among communities and counties, Emerald Coast Regional Council is fulfilling this mission through the many, robust programs and services they facilitate throughout the region. Please visit the ECRC website, or contact ECRC for more information regarding programs or services by calling 850-332-7976.

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The Emerald Coast Regional Council, a regional entity providing professional technical assistance, planning, coordinating, and advisory services to local governments, state and federal agencies, and the public to preserve and enhance the quality of life in northwest Florida.