Settlers first came to our area of Northwest Florida for the fishing, salt, and lumbering. Although tourism has become a main source of economic growth, fishing and lumbering remain vital to the Bay County area. The papermill and all the support industries it requires, such as tree farming, lumbering, and Arizona Chemical are a major asset to our economic stability. Independent businesses, from gas stations to ship building, have evolved through time and are still essential to our community.