Their effort lasted two years, and the bay wasn't rediscovered until more than 100 years later. The 300-plus years since then make for some interesting history. To help gauge how Pensacola stands, comparisons can be made among our metropolitan statistical area, our neighbors, the state, other similarly sized cities around the country and the U.S. average. In addition to the charts of numbers, analyses help provide a guide to what the statistics mean for our future. A real paper tiger St. Joe Co. is creating new communities in the Panhandle.
Spring break is another answer.
However, a look at that area shows that other factors also have helped them pull ahead of Northwest Florida. Warm weather and a sense of history have been what has attracted some people to Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. But the region can boast of entrepreneurs, a strong military presence and a growing number of small businesses. However, residents and business leaders also say the area needs even more. For example, only three locally owned companies employ more than 400 people.