Colonel Ryan Thulin highlights a unique, collaborative Bay County military-community ecosystem, where service members are integrated into local schools and community activities.

A $125,000 grant will fund advocacy in Washington, D.C., engaging congressional leaders and senior military officials to secure support and resources for local bases.

Advocacy priorities focus on providing childcare for military families and reopening Tyndall Academy as a larger, updated school to support personnel and readiness.

Historically, local stakeholders worked to preserve bases, including early efforts to prevent closures through Chamber of Commerce actions.

Bay County is strengthening its military-community partnership with a new state grant awarded to the Bay Defense Alliance.

The county depends on Naval Support Activity Panama City and Tyndall Air Force Base, with the military economy supporting about 30,000 jobs and roughly 37% of Bay County’s economy.

Local military leaders praise the strong, symbiotic relationship between the armed forces and the community, noting extensive ties, support, and coordination as core strengths.