Santa Rosa County has launched a new tourism website, the Federal Emergency Management Agency could help address flooding in four county neighborhoods, the SAFER disaster prep expo is set for June 20 in Gulf Breeze and the Pace Virtual Farmers Market is marking one year with a special event on Thursday.

New tourism website

Santa Rosa County is inviting the world to look at its tourism opportunities through a new window: www.floridasplayground.com.

The new website touts both the coastal and inland assets of the county.

"This is a Florida beach vacation interwoven with a rich, untouched history. It’s a balancing act of adventure and serenity," reads the message on the website's front page. "In the tree-lined minutes between Navarre Beach and Historic Milton, centuries unfold and adventures call. Pursuing your own journey: it’s the best way to experience Florida."

The website includes an extensive list of hotels, condo rentals and campgrounds, as well attractions like fishing, the Gulf Islands National Seashore, educational opportunities for home school students, zip lining, canoeing and more.

The website was designed by the Davis, South, Barnett, & Patrick ad agency in Mobile, Ala. It cost $24,000, which was covered by BP funds.

Santa Rosa is seeing increased revenues from so called "bed taxes" -- the taxes tourists pay on short-term rentals like hotels, condos and campgrounds -- with April 2015 seeing a 23 percent increase over April 2014. The county's Tourist Development Council is focusing marketing efforts on the Atlanta area. The TDC is also now regularly staffing the Interstate 10 Welcome Center near Milton to greet visitors and speak with them about vacation opportunities in Santa Rosa.

FEMA may help address neighborhood flooding

Santa Rosa County is seeking help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help address neighborhood flooding.

"Santa Rosa County submitted grant applications to FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program requesting funding for projects in four neighborhoods that have experienced repetitive heavy flooding following moderate to significant rainfall events, including the April 2014 rainfall event," according to the County Commission's June newsletter. "Each of these neighborhoods have an extensive history of flooding (roadway, yard, structural), and many were constructed prior to county stormwater control regulations."

The four projects are:

• Ranchettes subdivision near Gulf Breeze: $1.6 million. Project includes acquisition of easements and land for drainage ditches and a new stormwater pond, as well as upgrades to the downstream system to convey runoff to Pensacola Bay.
• Maranatha Way and Chipper Lane in Pace, $1.29 million. Project includes land acquisition and construction of a new retention pond as well as construction of strategically located inlets and a storm sewer systems to properly capture and convey the runoff away from problem areas.
• Patterson and Pace Lane in Pace, $1.25 million. Project includes installation of storm sewer systems to properly convey runoff an existing retention pond on Overlook Circle, a well as land acquisition and construction of three new stormwater ponds.
• Venetian Way & Coronado Drive near Gulf Breeze, $380,000. Project includes purchase of land for new drainage pond and upgrades to existing drainage system to convey runoff away from problem areas.

The FEMA grant program provides up to 75 percent federal funding with a minimum local match of 25 percent.

The first three projects have been approved by the state are currently being reviewed by FEMA. The Venetian/Coronado project was sent back for changes, with the revised plan due back to the state later this month.

Disaster expo set for June 20 in Gulf Breeze

Santa Rosa's Support Alliance For Emergency Readiness -- or SAFER -- has scheduled its second annual Preparedness Expo for June 20  from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gulf Breeze Recreation Center.

The purpose of the expo is to offer citizens critical information to help ensure their homes and businesses are protected against disaster. It is sponsored by Hometown Contractors. This year, the expo will have a zombie theme. Vendors are welcome to decorate, dress up, or otherwise participate in a way that promotes survival from the worst disaster possible -- the zombie apocalypse.

The expo is still seeking vendors and sponsors. Exhibit space is $150 for SAFER members and $185 for non-members. Contact Brenda with RSVP at 983-5220 for more information.

SAFER is a nonprofit organization intended to engage the community in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. It was established to engage all sectors of the community to ensure scarce resources are utilized effectively, efficiently and with minimum duplication.

Pace Virtual Farmers Market anniversary is Thursday

Pace Virtual Farmer’s Market will raffle off a $200 shopping spree to the market and well over $600 in other prizes at its upcoming "SUPER Market" event on Thursday, June 11, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. behind Relevant Life Church at 4636 U.S. 90 in Pace.

The "SUPER Market" events marks the one-year anniversary of the Pace Virtual Farmers Market, which offers a wide variety of fresh groceries from local farmers and artisans for sale on Facebook. The vendors and customers meet every Thursday night at the church to make the sales. This week, the market is celebrating with twice the usual vendors and extended hours.

The public is welcome at the event, which will include face painting, a petting zoo, farming demonstrations and the raffle to raise money for improvements and expansion of the farmers market.

Raffle tickets are available on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/pacevirtualfarmersmarket/ or may be purchased at the event. For more information, call Felicia Joscelyn at (850) 292-8903.