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Bay County has a civilian labor force of approximately 67,000 people. The tourism industry is a major component of the local economy which accounts for over 10,000 jobs. Regular visitors include families on vacations, Canadian tourists and college students on Spring Break. Some of the largest private sector employers include Bay Medical Center (1,950), Paradise Found Resort and Hotel (800), Gulf Coast Medical Center (750), Sallie Mae (734), Smurfit/Stone Container (600), C & C Manufacturing, Inc. (300), Marriott’s Bay Point Resort (300), BellSouth (295), Eastern Shipbuilding (290), Arizona Chemical (265), and Wellstream, Inc. (250).
Government employment is a significant component of the Bay County economy. The largest government sector employers include Tyndall Air Force Base (6666), Bay County School Board (4886), the Coastal Systems Station (2308), Bay County (901), Panama City (583), and the U.S. Postal Service (322). The employment numbers include military personnel, civilian employees, and civilian contractors. The Air Force Base and Navy Lab (Coastal Systems Stations) have been part of Bay County for years. The Navy Base was originally established on July 20, 1945 as the U.S. Navy Mine Countermeasures Station. And Tyndall Air Force Base began operations in 1945.
The data about Bay County was compiled from the following sources: Bay County Chamber of Commerce; Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce; 1995 Florida County Comparisons; 2000 Florida Statistical Abstract; Tyndall Air Force Base Public Affairs Office; Coastal Systems Station Public Affairs Office; Money Magazine [Area Facts | Economy
& Demographics | Private Employment | |
