January 2022 Meeting Minutes
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