PCB Tourism Board Fights Back on Potential Oil Spill

With the looming threat of oil hitting our pristine beaches in one form or another, the Bay County Tourism Development Council (TDC) met this week to discuss how they can fight the negativity and display why Panama City Beach is still an ideal summer vacation spot for guests, new and old alike. The solution was to come up with a whole summer full of fun with festivals, live concerts and events that will show our visitors that in Panama City Beach, it’s not just the beach anymore.

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7 Reasons Panama City Beach is Still the Perfect Vacation Spot!

With all the media coverage, conflicting news reports and heartbreaking images surrounding the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, it’s understandable to fear for the spectacular white beaches of Panama City Beach. Local residents and business owners are already feeling the effects without so much as a tar ball in sight, and concerned vacationers are left confused about whether the potential for oil will jeopardize this year’s hard-earned family vacation. While predictions are optimistic and the beautiful beaches of Panama City Beach remain clean and open for business, here’s a reminder that even away from the beaches, Panama City Beach is a great choice for a fun getaway or a relaxing break in our sun-drenched paradise. Here’s a list of reasons to come on down anyway. Continue reading “7 Reasons Panama City Beach is Still the Perfect Vacation Spot!” →

OIL SPILL UPDATE: No Oil in PCB, Still Coming Ashore to the West

No Oil in Panama City Beach.

There is no oil in Panama City Beach. Pensacola is receiving oil landfall right now, and we could see some environmental impact in the coming weeks. So far, winds have kept the oil away from our beaches, although westerly winds over the last week began moving it closer our direction. Over the last couple days, the winds had shifted to a more easterly direction moving the oil away from us again, but those winds are expected to change back towards us by weeks end.

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A Closer Look at the New Panama City Beach Goodwill Store

If you enjoy browsing books, then you simply have to check out the new Goodwill store at 13413 Panama City Beach Parkway. The store opened back on March 8^th, 2010, and it wasn’t until I stopped by today to donate some clothes that I realized this store is a little different than Panama City Beach’s other Goodwill locations. This brand new store does not offer the usual smorgasbord of apparel, accessories and home furnishings, however it does provide an eye-popping selection of books to literally rival the new Panama City Beach library, plus a wide variety of used electronics.

The store is classed as a “niche thrift store dedicated to books and electronics” and is the first of its kind in Bay County. Store manager Margaret Thomas says the idea is to have Goodwill stores focused on certain items as a way to boost profit on donated items. The 1,500 square-foot-store has about 25,000 books on everything from local culture to computers, animal care to children’s fiction, plus all electronics are cleaned and repaired before hitting the showroom. You can’t beat it!

The new Panama City Beach Goodwill is located at 13413 Back Beach Road. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (850) 234-6106.

Rates Remain Below 5%

Despite bouncing off their lows for May, mortgage rates remain below 5% with the benchmark thirty-year, fixed-rate coming in at 4.875% with no points and the fifteen-year, fixed-rate right at 4.25% with no points. A steep drop in the yield on the ten year Treasury note over the past several weeks has lead to some of the lowest rates of the past twelve months just in time for the summer buying season. Ongoing volatility in the equity markets combined with uncertainty over European sovereign debt has brought a level of fear back into the markets which have benefited US Treasury debt prices thus driving rates lower since a bond’s yield moves inversely to its price. Government rates are also very attractive with most thirty-year fixed on VA and FHA sitting around 4.75% and jumbos are still under 6.00% at around 5.875%. Continue reading “Rates Remain Below 5%” →

Great News for Home Buyers! Rural Development a Great Option!

Let me start by saying that although there are challenges in our great state of Florida right now, we also have some things to celebrate for home buyers, especially those people who thought home ownership was out of the question for them. Many years ago when I bought my first home and you heard about Rural Development loans you thought about going to the back 40 or beyond to be able to afford a home that qualified for this program. Today things have really turned in our favor especially in Panama City Beach where much of the beach falls into that zone so to help you find your way I am going to share a little great news for would be home buyers. Continue reading “Great News for Home Buyers! Rural Development a Great Option!” →

AGENDA: CVB/TDC to Discuss Beach Protection Plan In The Event of Oil

As the oil situation has begun to hit Florida shores, worry throughout the panhandle has increased. Lucky for us, Bay County has one of the most coordinated Emergency Services department in the region. This meeting will be about determining the plan of action if oil reaches our shores.

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Office Depot Opens in Panama City Beach – In 4 Weeks

Last summer, when the new Publix opened at the intersection of R Jackson Blvd and Back Beach Road, Dunkin Donuts came, along with Tropical Smoothie and a variety of other assorted shops. Office Depot was supposed to be on the roster, but I was told that due to the downturn in the economy, they had indefinitely pulled out of this new location and were actually re-evaluating the operations of many other locations across the U.S. Well, things must have turned around for them because their sign is back up, the inside of the space is close to being finished off and they are scheduled to open within the next four weeks.

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Panama City Beach Oil Spill UPDATE: No Oil Here Yet

As of today, there is no oil in Panama City Beach. There is no smell, there has not been any tar balls, oil sheen, tar mats, or oil foam reported on the beaches of the Florida Panhandle. Right now, our beaches are just as beautiful as ever. That’s the good news. The bad news is that oil has been reported 10 miles offshore of Pensacola. In fact, quoting the noon report of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, “?Areas of tarballs, tar patties, and sheen have been confirmed approximately 10 miles from the Escambia County shoreline and 6 miles from Navarre Beach.” Again, nothing on the beaches, yet.

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Brand New Panama City Beach Library Now Open!

It’s been quite a week or two for Panama City Beach – first a new international airport, and as of Wednesday June 2^nd 2010, a brand new state-of-the-art library! At 10,000 square feet, the new facility is larger, offers a much broader range of services, and is conveniently located on Hutchinson Blvd and Lyndell Lane in the center of Panama City Beach. Continue reading “Brand New Panama City Beach Library Now Open!” →