Category: Business

PCB Chamber New Member Spotlight

Back Beach Car Wash is the newest, state-of-the-art car wash in Panama City Beach.
We are located at 13605 Panama City Beach Parkway. We have the latest and greatest car wash equipment installed to get the best possible car wash. We start the wash by pressure washing your car first so none of the dirt goes to our brushes and other equipment. This way our brushes remain absolutely clean and we can in turn clean your car no matter how dirty it may be. After the pressure wash, the car goes through a technologically advanced tunnel with multiple bays to clean your car and give it the shine it deserves. Colored lights also make the process even more enjoyable. Kids love our carwash!

Once you go through the tunnel you can then enjoy vacuuming from the strongest vacuums of any car wash for free. Our spaces are the largest available in town so you don’t have to worry about the next car’s door hitting yours. We have 24 spots at vacuums so no one is ever rushing you. There you can use the fresh rags as well as air guns available for interior and exterior needs. In general, the car wash is the largest in town and you don’t have to maneuver through any tight corners. We can take almost all sizes including trucks with large tires.

Come and enjoy the best car wash in town. We have the first month half-off deal going on for membership as well. Take advantage of the offer till it goes away!

PCB Chamber Valued Member Spotlight

Capt. Anderson’s Marina is a family-oriented tourist destination focused on a desire to provide memorable experiences. Since 1957, millions of people have been able to enjoy amazing fishing experiences at our marina. Many of those people have decided to make it a seasonal, annual, or a regular excursion to pursue those amazing catches and most importantly, make lasting memories. Fortunately, we’ve been blessed to have welcomed and been a part of those special moments. Those long-held and cherished experiences are what sparked the idea to offer additional memorable moments for our community and abroad.

Capt. Anderson’s Event Center is a venue which offers the best facility for all of life’s celebrations and special occasions. Our banquet halls offer plenty of capacity for multiple purposes along with an abundance of amenities at an affordable price. Come out today and meet with one of our representatives to see for yourself. We highly recommend you visit around sunset – the views over the waterfront are amazing!

Capt. Anderson’s Event Center is also the perfect wedding venue. This location overlooks a beautiful marina, ideal for those that wish to celebrate their special day near the waterfront. Well-appointed banquet halls feature all the space you need to create a truly spectacular celebration. You can celebrate both your ceremony and reception at this stunning event space. With a number of multipurpose rooms with varying capacities, you can host an intimate gathering or a grand affair. Consider one of these break-out rooms for your special service, ready to be decorated to your specifications. You can also opt to exchange your vows at the marina, against a backdrop of tranquil waters and beautiful docked boats. Your cocktail reception can take place on the observation deck, allowing you and your guests to enjoy a breath of fresh air before dinner. The central banquet hall is located in the Captain’s Quarters and offers capacity for up to 300 seated guests. It also features a wall of wide, generous windows with a view of the water. This space can seamlessly transition from day to night with plenty of room for your after-dinner entertainment and an evening of dancing.

Capt. Anderson’s Event Center amenities include a full prep kitchen that your chosen caterer is welcome to use. A functioning bar is also included and is ready to be stocked with all your favorite liquors, wines, and brews. The venue provides tables, chairs, and stage for your dining convenience and the staff will help with setup and cleanup upon request. All three banquet halls are equipped with audio and sound systems that can be used by bands and DJs or during the toasts. For your convenience, there is ample parking available at our location.

To tour our ceremony and reception spaces, or for general inquiries, please call us at (850) 691-5653. We look forward to serving you on your special day.

By Jeremy Neel

Dear Apex,
My home sustained water damage recently and I experienced a very confusing and frustrating process. Can you lay out an idea of what should be done in case I experience this again?
-Misty B.

Thank you for your question. We would be happy to help but as we cannot cover everything in this one article, we will address the first few items on your to do list and you can contact us for more in depth information.

The first thing you should do is call someone to stop the source of the damage, if you aren’t comfortable doing it yourself. Make sure that the source of the damage (i.e. busted valve etc…) isn’t removed from the premises. Should you file a claim, your insurance company will want to have this item for testing, as they may subrogate to another party they find to be at fault.

The second thing we recommend is to call your insurance agent (not your carrier) and inform them of the situation. Make it clear to them that you don’t want to file a claim if you don’t have to but you need their recommendation of a trusted restoration company who can evaluate the damage vs. deductible. In other words, you want to figure the “claim worthiness” of the damage. You don’t want unfounded claims, or claims that may not be covered.

The next step would be to stabilize the environment to ensure the situation is not getting worse. The restoration company can do this with special equipment they will have. Note: fans and dehumidifiers are not always the correct move here! Make sure you are dealing with a professional restoration company.

Should a claim need to be filed, then it is time to have your agent direct your next steps.
These few first steps will help you in the process but there are several more things to do that will ensure a satisfactory conclusion to your claim experience. If you would like to further explore these items, we invite you to contact us at your leisure. I hope that these few ideas may shed some light on how to get off on the right foot, should you experience this again. Of course, we are your neighbors here in South Walton, so feel free to swing by anytime for more information as well!

Email your questions about, water, fire, mold or storm damage and the claims process to admin@apexisthere.com. Your question may be featured in next month’s column of “Ask APEX.”

Call us at (877) 307-3088.

For Tax Collector Chuck Perdue, one of the primary focuses while campaigning for his job in 2016 was to improve the technology of the Tax Collector’s Office. Anyone interacting with the tax collector’s office in the past five years can recognize the technological improvements implemented. From a more user-friendly website where online payments can be made easily, to registration renewal kiosks located in two Publix stores in Bay County, Perdue is working to provide customers with more service options.

While many see these improvements as evolving with the times, there are some who are a little resistant to the increased use of technology, fearing this technology replaces jobs and leads to lack of personalized service. However, Tax Collector Chuck Perdue is quick to point out that these technology advancements have allowed his team to better serve citizens without reducing jobs and all while providing greater personalized service.

“Over the past five years, one of the main areas we focused on was getting our team members the tools they needed to do their jobs more efficiently. Having systems that work easily and cut down on the administrative requirements allows more time for our team to work with customers face-to-face,” said Perdue. “Some of these same systems also allow us to provide online services to our customers in a more user-friendly manner.”

Perdue added the increased availability of online services not only offers greater convenience for customers who don’t want to have to make a trip to the office, but it also provides his team with a greater capacity to serve the face-to-face customers.

“Some services are very quick transactions for the most part, tag renewals and property tax payments, and when we have a significant increase in the number of customers choosing to do these quick service transactions online, it allows us to provide better service to those customers with more complicated transactions such as title work and driver license services, “said Perdue.

Since taking office in 2017, Perdue has increased staffing by seven team members, but through improved systems and expanded service offerings has managed to increase revenues and the excess fees returned to the taxing authorities. This year, the tax collector’s office returned over $1.7 million to the taxing authorities.

“Bay County is growing at a significant rate. In order for us to be able to serve the additional customers who are moving here, we do encourage customers to take advantage of the online service offerings,” said Perdue. “Within a matter of minutes, customers can pay taxes online through their bank account, verify their taxes are paid, and print a receipt.”

Online services have also cut down on the number of mail payments which must be processed and require individual handling. Additionally, fewer payments mailed also means a reduced number of payments which must be returned due to the wrong payment amount submitted.

“Prior to the new systems implemented, it sometimes took several weeks for mailed in property tax payments to be posted. We are currently able to process the mail in 24 hours and have the payments posted. This cuts down on the number of phone calls inquiring if we’ve received payment,’’ said Perdue. “It also allows us to use our team members to focus on other office needs such as training new team members and assisting with our frontline customers.”

“We love interacting and visiting with our customers. However, we recognize life is busy,” said Perdue. “Some services require a trip to our office, but for those that don’t, we want customers who feel comfortable and desire the convenience of online service to have it available.”

Online service offerings can be accessed at BayTaxCollector.com.

Shane, born in Texas, learned “work ethic “ from his father, who ran a successful H.V.A.C. business. Shane started Oasis Power Washing about ten years ago and specializes in power washing and exterior restoration. Located in Panama City Beach, Oasis is a fully insured licensed company and carries general liability insurance over two million dollars, which allows Oasis to handle any commercial or residential project. Oasis is a firm believer in keeping up with the latest cleaning techniques, choosing and using the detergents and chemicals that will get the job done without doing damage to your property. Surfaces are all different: wood, paint, concrete etc. Using pre-mixed solutions may work on one surface, but not another. The ability to custom mix solutions on site is a trade secret developed by owner Shane McKenney and makes it possible to offer a satisfaction guarantee on every job. So when your power washing person shows up with their portable machine and Shane rolls up with his Star Wars truck, you’ll see the difference. I sure did.

For a free estimate and more information, visit www.oasisppw.com or call (850) 518-8181.

By Jeremy Neel

Sewage backups are a homeowner’s or renter’s worst nightmare. Backups can cause flooding, broken pipes, and introduce raw sewage into your home. Cleaning up after and fixing a problem such as this is one task that is best left to the professionals. Raw sewage carries a variety of germs and bacteria that can make you ill. If you, or someone in your family, is pregnant, elderly, or has a compromised immune system, you should not risk exposing yourself to the germs that are carried within raw sewage. It is best to immediately call a professional sewage cleanup crew to remediate a flooding situation or sewage backup. They will follow specific safety protocol and use protective gear designed to prevent the spread of disease.

The longer water and sewage remains, the worse the problem gets. Significant water damage can occur in as little as 12-24 hours. Most people do not have the flexibility to drop everything at a moment’s notice to dry out and disinfect their homes after a sewage backup. Apex Disaster Specialists can be at your home within a few hours to minimize water damage and begin sewage cleanup.

Recovering from a sewage backup is more than cleaning the dirt and waste out of your home. Problems can occur such as water damage, mold growth, bio-hazard threats, and broken plumbing or septic system. Apex Disaster Specialists will also be able to advise you on which of your possessions can be safely cleaned or restored, and which should be replaced. If your property remains under sewage water for long, the damage will be considerable. Flooring and insulation materials that have been soaked up will need to be removed, as well as mattresses, leather products, stuffed toys, and paper products (including books and documents).

What To Do After a Sewage Backup

1) Do not flush toilets or attempt to drain tubs and sinks – just don’t use the water supply system in your home until the problem has been detected and taken care of.

2) Do not use harsh chemicals in an attempt to unclog the drainage system quickly and easily. They can damage your pipes and sewer lines and make the matters worse. Opt for treatment options which use enzymes instead of chemicals – they will most likely solve your problem and will prevent future clogging.

3) Keep children and pets away from the affected area.

4) If it is still safe, shut off the power. Otherwise, don’t go near electrical equipment.

5) Wear protective clothing: gloves, eyeglasses, rubber boots and a face mask.

6) Open windows to allow fresh air in and ventilate well to remove any fumes.

7) Add small amounts of chlorine bleach to standing water to ensure some disinfection.

8) Use sump pumps to remove excessive water.

9) Call for professional assistance.

Remember that sewage backups should be dealt with as quickly as possible to prevent further damage. Apex Disaster Specialists has the most adequate equipment and the experience required for a quick and efficient intervention. We can come up with the most appropriate and safest solution. Apex also offers not only water extraction but quality repair work, odor removal, and overall sanitization. Before returning to your everyday life, make sure the entire property has been perfectly sanitized, the electrical and plumbing systems have been checked and fully repaired, and all the appliances are safe and in good working order.

Should you experience a sewage backup, Apex is the company to call: 877-307-3088! We will reach your property in a timely manner and restore your home as quickly as possible.

By Maurice Stouse, Financial Advisor and Branch Manager

Americans and American investors continue to be amazed and surprised at so many things that are taking place. Were we headed in this direction already and has the pandemic merely accelerated it? There is a shortage of labor. (We understand there are 10 million job openings and only 6 million looking for jobs). Was that already going to happen given the changes in population growth? Americans are retiring now more than ever before. The media are referring to this as “The Great Resignation.” American workers are also quitting their jobs (often to go to another job) more now than in recent memory. There is also a shortage of supplies: computer chips, Christmas and other holiday presents (toys, things), cars, parts, materials. There is a shortage of truck drivers. Now we are seeing and hearing there is a shortage in energy. A recent cover of The Economist called it “The Energy Crisis.” We haven’t seen a headline like that since the 1970s. This week we have learned, courtesy of CNBC, that this Fall saw the sharpest decline in college enrollments in the past 50 years…portending a future shortage in skilled workers? One might wonder: Just what is going on? We think there are a myriad of reasons why and we also anticipate there are things that investors might want to consider going forward.

First, as to labor, consider that the population is no longer growing, it is slowing or even declining. The fastest growing segment of the population is now those over 65. Second, consider the positive financial shape many Americans are reported to be in at this time: Checking and savings deposits have swelled to $3.5 trillion dollars — that in part has been helped by the massive Federal Reserve stimulus unleashed in the past 18 months. Real estate values have climbed, along with stock prices and several commodities…leading to increased wealth. If people feel more wealthy or financially secure, might they be retiring earlier?

Third, consider that inflation has increased and many are left wondering if that is permanent or getting worse. We believe that the levels of inflation we are now experiencing will be with us for a while. In response to the labor shortage, wages are up, but so are worker strikes and walkouts.

There are implications for investors. Inflation resistant and inflation resilient investments might be worth further review and adding to current allocations in those investments might be practical as well. Examples of those are energy, commodities, materials, industrials, financials and real estate.

Business leaders have been weighing on inflation: Jack Dorsey, who co- founded Twitter, announced this week that hyperinflation is here. On the other hand, Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, opines that we will soon be entering a period of sustained deflation. Those are pretty divergent views.

Fourth, the supply chain has been disrupted. This is leading to shortages from chips to energy and everything in between as demand for such goods is increasing. As the world emerges from the pandemic, both developed countries and emerging markets are accelerating their growth. There is a book, written by Darren Hardy called “The Compound Effect.” In it, he notes that as anything that compounds, (in this case economic growth), it can lead to a substantial result or change. In another book “The Tipping Point,” written by Malcolm Gladwell, it is pointed out that massive change comes about as the result of a lot of little things that add up. So, we conclude that economic growth, developing markets and demographic shifts are leading to increased demand for labor, materials and for energy – from all sources. In the meanwhile, concerning energy, there is considerable effort to lower carbon emissions which might be having an impact on exploration and production – eventually resulting in lower supplies. We understand cleaner energy could eventually fill the void but the amount of investment into cleaner energy sources would have to just about triple from where it is now to meet planned targets for carbon emissions and that is not currently happening. Coal has reemerged not only in demand, but in price as well as China and the developed world have increased coal consumption (it also has increased in the U.S., per S&P Global, and the EIA for the first time in seven years).

Looking again at Americans’ financial shape (on the average), balance sheets are at their strongest in decades. We have more money and assets but we owe less. This has also had an impact on those on the lower on the economic spectrum. The New York Times recently reported that the poverty rate in the U.S. has been cut in half in the past 18 months. That is attributable to government assistance as well as stimulus. No one expected this at the outset of the pandemic.

Finally, the most positive thing that has emerged is American productivity. It is at one of the highest rates in history. That is the silver lining. Productivity means that more goods and services are produced per unit of input and this has continued to grow. The question is will price and wage inflation eventually jeopardize that? Maintaining and growing productivity is key to economic growth and ultimately the profitability of companies and that has direct input on stock prices.

So, what might investors want to consider right now? We feel that productivity, maintaining it, and actually growing it will be very critical going forward. How might America’s producers and service providers accomplish that? We think it means acceleration in the use and implementation of automation and artificial intelligence. Investors might do well to look at companies, funds and exchange traded funds that focus on those very things. Cloud computing would be in the same group. The cloud is one of the fastest growing innovations in the world. Almost all of our daily activities interact with the cloud directly and indirectly. With so much being stored and relied upon by way of the cloud, investors can look at companies and funds in those areas as well. What is the cloud? Simply put: the “cloud” is made up of data centers. Note: The growth in energy consumption from these large data centers is quite significant (see “The Atlas of AI” by Kate Crawford). Not just in America, but around the world as well. In other words, it takes massive amounts of electricity to power and run the cloud – which means the demand for energy won’t be easing up anytime soon. Another reason for investors to consider increasing their energy allocations.
Electricity is produced by sources of nuclear, hydro, solar, wind, natural gas (currently 40%) and coal. The increased demands for electricity – whether from data centers (the cloud), mining crypto currency, supply or supply change problems or the upcoming winter weather are driving prices up. Natural gas at this writing has doubled year to date. Raymond James (October 26, 2021 Daily Energy Update by John Freeman, Pavel Molchanov, Justin Jenkins and J.R. Weston) wrote this week that “numerous weather forecast models increased their probability of a materially colder 2021, 2022 winter, sending natural gas prices surging”.**

At The First Wealth Management, we encourage investors to look to make change over time, versus overnight. That ongoing monitoring and vigilance over one’s financial matters is critical to achieving goals. Lastly, having a guaranteed or reliable source of income (pension, annuity, SSI) supplemented with a retirement income strategy are essential elements of living and sustaining a standard of living when no longer in the workforce.
** A full copy of the report is available upon request.

The First Wealth Management is located at First Florida Bank, a division of the First, A National Banking Association, 2000 98 Palms Blvd, Destin, FL 32541 with branch offices in Niceville, Mary Esther, Miramar Beach, Freeport, and Panama City. Phone 850.654.8124.
Raymond James advisors do not offer tax advice. Please see your tax professionals. Email: Maurice.stouse@raymondjames.com.Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC, and are not insured by bank insurance, the FDIC, or any other government agency, are not deposits or obligations of the bank, are not guaranteed by the bank, and are subject to risks, including the possible loss of principal. Investment Advisory Services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

The First Wealth Management First Florida Bank, and The First, A National Banking Association are not registered broker/dealers and are independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

Views expressed are the current opinion of the author, not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James, and are subject to change without notice. Information provided is general in nature and is not a complete statement of all information necessary for making an investment decision and is not a recommendation or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation. Investors should consult their investment professional prior to making an investment decision.

Investing in the energy sector involves special risks, including the potential adverse effects of state and federal regulation and may not be suitable for all investors.

Treasury Inflation Protection Securities, or TIPS, adjust the invested principal base by the CPI-U at a semiannual rate. Rate of inflation is based on the CPI-U, which has a three-month lag. Investing within specific sectors, or in small and mid-size companies, involves unique, additional risks. Those risks include limited diversification, regulatory risks, limited liquidity, and lack of operating history.

There is an inverse relationship between interest rate movements and fixed income prices. Generally, when interest rates rise, fixed income prices fall and when interest rates fall, fixed income prices rise.

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of mutual funds before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about mutual funds. The prospectus and summary prospectus are available from your financial advisor and should be read carefully before investing.

Property tax notices are in the mail and the 2021 tax roll is officially open for collection. Bay County Tax Collector Chuck Perdue is encouraging taxpayers to pay online to save gas, time, and money this tax year.

Since 2018 the tax collector’s office has made significant improvements to their property tax portal to allow for easier navigation of the site, including searching for property tax accounts, providing for the ability to pay multiple properties at once, and providing different online payment options including e-check, PayPal and debit/credit cards.

“I encourage customers who are able to do so to pay online. We’ve simplified the process and added features to make it easy,’’ said Perdue. “I think everyone is really wanting to stretch their dollars the best they can, so I strongly encourage our customers paying online to utilize the e-check option as this payment method will avoid any added convenience fees charged by the payment processors. Taxpayers can also save money by paying by November 30 to take advantage of the 4% discount. The discounted amount is already calculated in the online amount due.”

In addition to paying property taxes, the tax portal site also allows customers to view and print their tax notice as well as their receipt. Once an online payment is processed, a receipt number is added to the bottom of the online bill which serves as the customer’s receipt. If a customer is interested in receiving their tax notice electronically, they can sign-up for this service through the portal and also enroll in the Installment Plan for the 2022 taxes should they so desire.

For those taxpayers who prefer not to pay online, the traditional mail-in option is encouraged. Individuals who like to hand deliver the payment can utilize the drop boxes located inside and outside of every office location to avoid a wait in the lobby.

“The goal for our office is really to minimize the number of customers having to travel to visit us and having to wait in our lobby,” said Perdue. “Some of our other services such as driver license and titling services can get lengthy so we want to provide convenient payment options for our taxpayers to make efficient use of their time.”

The R.A.T.E. program is designed to provide extra community outreach during the high discount period utilizing partnerships with area businesses in more remote areas of the county. To access all of the dates, times and locations for the R.A.T.E. program, please scan the QR Code with your smart phone to be directed to the webpage. Dates and times are subject to change due to COVID-19 protocols, so this webpage allows us to provide the most updated information.

For more information regarding services provided by the Bay County Tax Collector’s Office, please visit BayTaxCollector.com. For the latest information and updates follow them on social media- Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Watchstander Services is a new business serving Panama City Beach and surrounding areas. It is a property maintenance and home watch company that caters to absentee owners who manage their second home or rental properties themselves. Watchstander services acts as the owner’s eyes on the ground to keep watch for anything that might go wrong, and quickly mend any problems that might occur.

Jeff Clinger, co-owner of Watchstander Services, has a long history of managing his own properties. He knows first hand the problems that can occur when you are not able to lay eyes on your property regularly. He and his wife, Lisa, spent several years managing their vacation homes themselves while living remotely in Indianapolis, Indiana. Any time a renter of one of their condos would call them to tell them that something went wrong in their unit they would frantically call anyone they could think of to go out and try to fix the problem. They often didn’t know who to turn to for help, because they didn’t know anyone in the area. When they were able to get in contact with someone to fix the problem, they just had to hope the job was done right, as they were not in the area to physically check on it themselves. All of those years they wished for a service that they could use to help them with these problems.

This is how Watchstander Services was born. Jeff, a retired firefighter and Navy veteran, joked that he wished that there was some sort of Watchstander to stand watch over his condos in the same way there was a watchstander to stand watch over the ships he was on in the Navy all those years ago. He reached out to his daughter Cayla, a realtor, and told her about the idea he had. Cayla had encountered several customers reaching out to her after she had assisted them with purchasing condos in need of this exact service. They have since teamed up together to offer these services to many happy customers in the area.

Watchstander services offers comprehensive weekly or bi-weekly home checks for absentee owners. They check everything from how well the cleaners did for your rental property to how your mechanicals and plumbing are running. When a problem occurs that needs to be fixed, they will perform property maintenance services to get the job done efficiently and quickly. If it is something that is out of the scope of their expertise, they have a long list of local trusted vendors that they will refer you to. They will also work for you as a vendor key holder. If you have a delivery that needs to be made to your vacation home they will let them in and make sure everything goes smoothly. They will then report back to you so that you have peace of mind. They also offer concierge services as well. They look forward to speaking with you, and figuring out how they can best tailor their services to match you and your properties needs!

For more information, call them at (850) 919-5777.

November Business After Hours Nov. 18, Dick’s Last Resort
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while networking with fellow chamber members, from 5–7 p.m. This event is exclusive to Beach Chamber members. If you would like to attend as a prospect, please contact Shannon at Shannon@pcbeach.org.

Panama City Beach Marathon, Dec. 4, Start/Finish Line located at Pier Park
Annual Marathon, Half- Marathon, 5K or Kid’s Fun Run through paradise alongside our award-winning beaches. The Panama City Beach Marathon is a Boston Qualifier race! Visit pcbmarathon.com for more information!

Business After Hours – Annual Christmas Party Dec. 8, The Shrimp Boat
Join us at The Shrimp Boat to celebrate the holidays and end of another great year. Don’t forget to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate for an extra ticket. All toys collected will be donated to the local toy drives for the PCB Police and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. Sponsored by Panama City Toyota and Hare Taylor.

See registration information at www.pcbeach.org/chamber-events.