Website Highlights Local Businesses That Have Re-Opened Six
Months After Hurricane Michael Devastated Beachside Community
Six months after Hurricane Michael came ashore in Mexico Beach, Florida, businesses are beginning to reopen.
Today, the #NeverForgottenCoast campaign announced the launch of “What’s Open: Mexico Beach” a mobile-friendly website that will allow local businesses to inform visitors and residents when they have reopened.
“The road to recovery will be very long, but Mexico Beach businesses are more determined than ever to get back up and running,” said Alex Workman, Never Forgotten Coast co-founder. “One of the best ways to help in the recovery process is to go visit. By visiting the city, even for just a few hours, you can spend money at local businesses to help economic recovery, and you can learn about other ways to be a part of the solution for getting this community back on its feet.”
The campaign has the support of Kimberly Shoaf with the Mexico Beach Community Development Council. “Tourism is the leading economic driver for Mexico Beach. The Mexico Beach Community Development Council is dedicated to making sure that our visitors know we are open for business,” Shoaf said. “We need visitors to come shop in our shops, eat in our restaurants and boost our economy. Please keep encouraging friends, family and those who have been to our amazing slice of paradise to participate in our recovery.”
Workman and his wife Chelsea launched the #NeverForgottenCoast campaign days after Hurricane Michael hit. The campaign, in partnership with the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association, have provided 20 microgrants to small businesses in the community hardest hit by Hurricane Michael last year.
On October 10, Hurricane Michael hit as the strongest hurricane to ever make landfall in the Florida Panhandle. The Category 4 Hurricane leveled everything in its path, including most of the homes and businesses that made up the Mexico Beach community.
The Never Forgotten Coast team has also partnered with award-winning Nashville photographer, Jeremy Cowart, and Tallahassee drone pilot, Jonathan Smith, to capture the stories of Mexico Beach and put faces to the city that has been a home and destination for people all over the world. These powerful images and stories can be seen at NeverForgottenCoast.com.
