January 2022 Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes
Written By FMA

Freeport Merchants Association
Meeting Minutes
January 19th, 2023

Present:
Chase Barfield
Nick (Jerry) Bunyan
Donna Montalvo
Aaron Ellis
David Underwood
Bill Blanken
Amber Williams
Nanci Spears
Josh Spears
Marion Gipson

Next meeting: February 16th, 2023, 8:00 am, Blount House

1. Announcements

  • Current Membership Total: 99 Members

  • Current account balance: $9,586.56

  • Expenses:

    o Snyder, Membership works, food for Jan evening social

Events Committee:

  • February Social will be hosted by Lor Logue with Fathom Realty at the Hammock Bay Lake Club on February 23rd

  • March Social will be Hosted by Freeport Jujitsu on March 9th at their new location. Flyer coming

  • April, there will be no Evening Social due to the Night Out for Freeport Event on Saturday the 29th.

  • March Social – Gipson Financial – Location TBD

Membership Committee:

  • A2Z printing – Donna Montalvo Promotional Products company.

  • Rotary Satellite office in Freeport – David Underwood – their goal is to grow to 20 members to become a formally recognized Rotary Club

    o Offering a $2000 scholarship to Freeport High School Seniors
    o Sophomores get to go to Youth Leadership Camp
    o Meetings are every other Thursday at 6:00pm at the Bay Restaurant

  • Emerald Coast Accounts – Financial Advisor; Life insurance, annuities, etc. makes house calls and office meetings in Destin. EmeraldCoastAccounts.com

  • VFW – only one in Walton County – Nick (Jerry) Bunyan, Service Officer. If any veterans need help with paperwork and the system, Nick can help. They do community outreach and help veterans in need as well as homeless outreach – and finding a place to live for homeless veterans. https://www.vfwpost4437.org/

    General Topics:

  • We are happy to Welcome Back Marion Gipson to the Board of Directors

  • We are seeking volunteers for all committees: Membership, Events, and Social/Outreach If

    you would like to volunteer, email secretary@thefma.online

  • We will be moving the Monthly Evening Socials to the 4th Thursday of each month starting in May. February will be on the 23rd, March will be on the 9th.

Open Discussion:

  • Commerce Park – Cleaning out land now. Homes to go, Realtor, bought the lot and is putting in a little business spark with office space, retail shops, and possibly a restaurant.

  • Food Truck court going in next to City Hall: Freeport Foodies

  • In the plaza behind Taco Bell: Los Rancheros is estimated to open between March and April, Freeport flooring, Lulu Beans, Subway, and a Fish market are all in construction with openings TBA

  • A Dollar General is coming to Portland Area

FMA https://thefma.online
Next

December 2022 Meeting Minutes