Walton Area Chamber of Commerce

10/13/2026

Please see this important information regarding storm debris from the Walton County Commission Meeting this afternoon.

10/13/2026

Update: They are out of supplies!

📱💗 T-Mobile is Helping Our Community Stay Connected!

T-Mobile in DeFuniak Springs is offering FREE charging stations and portable lights to help our community!

📍 931 US Highway 331 South, DeFuniak Springs

Simply stop by the store today, Tuesday, October 13, to take advantage of these free resources.

You do NOT have to be a T-Mobile customer!

Thank you, T-Mobile, for stepping up and supporting our community! 💗

10/13/2026

UPDATE: DEFUNIAK IS OUT OF BUCKETS ||| Lowe’s will be hosting 𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬 TODAY, Tuesday, October 13, beginning at 10:00 AM CT at the following Lowe’s locations:

📍 Ensley - 777 W. Nine Mile Rd., Pensacola, FL 32534
📍 Gulf Breeze - 1421 Tiger Park Ln., Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
📍 Milton (Pace) - 5143 Highway 90, Pace, FL 32571
📍 Panama City Beach - 11751 Panama City Beach Pkwy., Panama City Beach, FL 32407
📍 DeFuniak Springs - 135 Business Park Rd., DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435

Each bucket includes recovery supplies such as:

✅ Sponges
✅ Flashlights
✅ Bottled water
✅ Trash bags
✅ Goggles
✅ Hand sanitizer

The Florida Division of Emergency Management has opened a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) to connect residents with resources and assistance from multiple state agency partners.

📍 Pensacola State College Milton Campus Gym (Santa Rosa County)
5988 U.S. Highway 90, Milton, FL 32583
🕒 Hours:
✅ Today: 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM CT
✅ Beginning tomorrow: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM CT daily

📢 If you or someone you know has been impacted by the storm, please share this information and take advantage of these available recovery resources.UPDT

10/13/2026

📢 EVENT UPDATE: OCTOBER POWER OF BUSINESS LUNCH POSTPONED | As Walton County continues to recover from Hurricane Isaias, we have made the decision to postpone our October Power of Business Lunch, sponsored by Proactive Data.

💙 Our community's recovery remains a priority, and we appreciate everyone's patience and flexibility as we navigate this time together.

📅 A new date is in the works! We'll share an update as soon as the details are finalized.

A big thank you to our sponsor, Proactive Data, and all our Chamber members for your continued understanding and support.

10/13/2026

🎤 MEET THE SPEAKER | THE NEXT BIG THING 2026 | We’re excited to welcome Brian Franklin to The Next BIG Thing 2026, and this one is going to be equal parts smart, honest, and funny.
Dubbed “The Humorist” by The New York Times, Brian is the Co-Founder and CEO of Vows & Speeches, a company he launched with his wife and business partner, Nicole Franklin. As the company’s lead speechwriter, Brian has helped clients craft hundreds of vows, wedding speeches, ceremonies, presentations, and more.
His work and perspective have been featured by The New York Times, AP News, Forbes, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, and others.

At The Next BIG Thing, Brian will present:
⚾ No Home Runs Without Big Swings: Finding Your Calling Despite Life’s Landmines and Rookie Errors! Starting a business takes risk, but how do you know when you’re chasing a real opportunity versus just talking yourself into a bad idea?
Brian will share his own journey from successful political consultant to wedding-industry entrepreneur, including what he got right, what he got wrong, and how he navigated the unexpected challenges along the way.

Expect a candid, practical, and funny conversation for entrepreneurs, future founders, and anyone stepping into a new project, role, or venture.
📅 October 26, 2026
📍 Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
🎟️ Get your tickets now — this speaker lineup is one you do not want to miss.

10/12/2026

🎤 MEET THE SPEAKER | THE NEXT BIG THING 2026 | We’re excited to welcome Sarah Davis is to the stage at The Next BIG Thing 2026 with a session that will challenge the way you think about performance, leadership, and what’s really possible when you learn to train your mindset.

🧠 The Mindset Advantage- Sarah is a leadership strategist, organizational development expert, and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach with more than 15 years of experience improving performance across Special Operations, Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, and mission-driven organizations.
As Founder of Recreate Leadership and Co-Founder of Lead Aligned, Sarah helps organizations build stronger leaders, healthier cultures, and sustainable performance through practical strategies that create lasting behavioral change.

In this session, you’ll learn how to:
• Turn mindset into a trainable performance advantage
• Use neuroscience-backed strategies trusted by elite performers and leaders
• Identify and rewire thought patterns that may be holding you back
• Build greater self-awareness, clarity, and resilience under pressure
• Walk away with practical tools for sustainable success beyond effort alone

If you’ve ever felt like working harder isn’t enough, this session is for you.
📅 October 26, 2026
📍 Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
🎟️ Get your tickets now and join us for a full day of powerful speakers, fresh ideas, and real professional growth.

10/12/2026

Free Meals Across Walton County Today!

THIS POST IS NOW OUT OF DATE.

🍽️ FREE MEAL DISTRIBUTION – MONDAY, OCTOBER 12

In coordination with Walton County Emergency Management/Human Services, the following free meal distributions are scheduled for today.

🔴 AMERICAN RED CROSS

9 AM – Red Bay Community Center
10624 Rock Hill Rd, Ponce De Leon
Prepackaged meals & water

12 PM – Choctaw Beach Community Center
126 Water Oak St, Freeport
Prepackaged meals & water, followed by neighborhood canvassing

1 PM – Old Thrift-Way Parking Lot (Vacant Lot)
515 E. Nelson Ave, DeFuniak Springs
Hot meals

🔥 OPERATION BBQ RELIEF

12 PM – Walmart, Santa Rosa Beach
6861 E US Hwy 98 – Lunch only

12 PM & approximately 4 PM – Walmart, DeFuniak Springs
1226 Hwy 331 South – Lunch & dinner

🍲 SALVATION ARMY – HOT MEALS

12 PM – Paxton Agricultural Complex
21972 US Hwy 331 N, Laurel Hill

12 PM – Choctaw Beach Community Center
126 Water Oak St, Freeport

12 PM – Walton County Planning Department Parking Lot
842 State Hwy 20 E, Freeport

❤️ PLEASE NOTE: All distribution times are estimates and meals are available while supplies last. Please be patient

10/12/2026

🎡✂️ Some traditions you just don’t miss! We had the pleasure of cutting the ribbon with the Walton County Fair today, a tradition we look forward to every year!

We know it’s been a rough few days for our community, but we hope the fair brings a little joy, laughter, and much-needed family fun!

🎟️ GATES OPEN TONIGHT AT 5 PM!

Come out, make some memories, and support this wonderful Walton County tradition!

10/12/2026

🚨 $10 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR HURRICANE-IMPACTED BUSINESSES!FloridaCommerce has activated the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to help businesses recover from Hurricane Isaias!

Up to $100,000 for eligible small businesses | Up to $150,000 for agriculture and aquaculture businesses | Zero-interest, short-term loans

These loans can help businesses facing storm damage or economic losses while awaiting insurance payments or other recovery funding.

📅 Apply by November 25, 2026, or before funds run out!

📞 Questions? Call 833-832-4494.

Please note: These are loans, not grants, and must be repaid.

10/11/2026

⚠️ PLEASE SEE UPDATED POST, THIS LOCATION IS INNACURATE ⚠