I was invited to attend a community celebration of a new business coming to town today in District 1.
WaWa stores are a staple all along the East Coast and even in the peninsula of Florida.
But the panhandle of Florida does not have a WaWa.
That is about to change, and today I was invited to the groundbreaking of the first area WaWa store in my district, District 1, in Escambia County. As a matter of fact, there will be, within the next two years, a total of THREE (3) WaWa stores in District 1. One will be at the Ransley Station Development on Pine Forest Road (the site of today's event) and the next two will be at Beulah Road and 9-Mile Road and Blue Angel Pkwy and U.S. 98.
So D1 will be getting 3 WaWa's.
Some might say--why get excited about a gas station?
But WaWa is much more than that.:
At today's celebration (which drew nearly 200 citizens, the president of the local Chamber of Commerce, our County Sheriff, myself, and State Rep. Michelle Salzman)--it was shared with the group that several locals had been BEGGING WaWa HQ to bring an outlet to Escambia County. In fact, one couple was recognized by the WaWa executives present because for the last 10 years they wrote letters to WaWa HQ pleading with them to bring a WaWa to Escambia County!
The culture of this company is exceptional. They are privately held, with employess holding a 38% stake in ownership. And it was announced that after only one (1) month--newly hired associates can begin participating in the WaWa stock ownership program. Eecutives from the company thanked our local community for the warm welcome, and described the WaWa Foundation's $160 Million Dollars in donations to local nonprofit organizations in communities where WaWa has a presence. They even donated $2,500 to Feeding the Gulf Coast today at the groundbreaking! On top of this--the welcome celebration included food, beverages, smoothies, a coffee bar, and give-aways including WaWa T-shirts and other knick-knacks.
This is the way to enter a market. I was really impressed with these folks I met and spoke with today.
I think what they bring to our community will be an opportunity for many of our citizens that want to work and grow with an established, reputible organization.
I look forward to watching thier success!
4 comments:
Beulah's community development has reached a critical point where adding more gas stations is not as beneficial as diversifying our local businesses. With three gas stations already at one corner, a new Wawa seems redundant. Our community would benefit much more from additional restaurants, which would offer more choices for residents and could contribute to a more vibrant local economy. Furthermore, we'd like to see progress on executing the master plan, which aims to bring a balanced mix of development and green spaces. By focusing on these priorities, we can ensure Beulah's future growth is sustainable and beneficial to all.
8:58--I don't necessarily disagree--which is why we are completing the Beulah Master Plan within the next four months. It has been a years' long effort but we are getting it done. But the corner parcel of a growing community's major intersection leading to what will be a new Interstate interchange is a logical location for WaWa to bring a store. Like you, I lament the fact we still, to this day, do not have ONE (1) full-service restaurant in Beulah. We are working that and once we get the terms right and the right builder, we will get OLF 8 developed in accordance with the master plan for that property and we will get multiple restaurants, retail, and other amenities for the community. And infrastructure improvements are coming, in addition to what we have completed through the TPO with the state's 9-mile road and Mobile Hwy improvements recently. More is coming.
In 2019 you knew about the fraud against the government last week y'all all say you didn't know. It's time for you to go, proof you are full of lies. God will hold you accountable
3:35--The improperly coded charges against the government that led to this settlement occurred starting in 2013 and continued thereafter which is why the amount we had to pay was so high. I joined the board in late 2016 and the state gave our organization a stellar review in July of 2018. Board members do not check the individual paramedic and EMT personnel's continuing education certificates, nor do we send the billing information to the government for reimbursement. We are a policy board, we do not direct day to day operations so make sure you understand this--you obviously do not. And finally: yes, God will judge us all---you, me and everyone because we all fall short of his expectations every day.
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