The local area has been in the national spotlight not once, but twice last month:
The Travel Channel announced that Destin has been named “Best Family Beach” in their Best Beach Contest. Cited among the many reasons were Destin’s many fishing options, the Emerald Grande Hotel, Destin Commons, the Okaloosa Island Pier, Kelly Plantation Golf Course, HarborWalk Village and the Gulfarium.
The U.S. Census Bureau released its report on America’s fastest growing metropolitan areas. The MSA primarily making up the Emerald Coast ranked 3rd in the entire nation based on growth rate. Midland Texas came in first, followed by Clarksville Tennessee. Of the top 10 MSA’s in the nation, two were in Florida and three in Texas.