Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce

09/11/2026

09/11/2026

A special thank-you to Carr, Riggs & Ingram (CRI), our Entertainment Partner for the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber’s 70th Anniversary Gala & Civic Hall of Fame!

CRI’s generous support is helping us create a truly memorable evening celebrating 70 years of Chamber history and honoring those whose leadership and service have shaped our community.

Beyond this special event, CRI continues to demonstrate what it means to be a committed community partner. We are grateful for their investment in our Chamber, our local businesses and the Niceville Valparaiso community we are proud to call home.

Thank you, CRI, for helping make this milestone celebration possible!

09/09/2026

A Niceville Original and a Force of Nature

Join us September 17 for the 70th Anniversary Gala & Civic Hall of Fame as we honor our 2026 inductees and celebrate unforgettable legacy honorees like 2018 inductee Jessie Alma “Granny” Edge.

Born in Opp, Alabama, in 1900, Jessie frequently visited Niceville with her family and eventually fell in love with the postmaster’s son, Joe Edge. Despite her parents’ objections, the determined young woman enlisted a friend with the only automobile in town and eloped with Joe!

Life was not easy for the small number of families living year-round in Niceville at the time. Jessie and Joe raised nine children, and through hard work and perseverance, she became a beloved part of the community.

“Granny” was never one to sit quietly when something needed to be done. She attended City Council meetings, often bringing refreshments to break the ice, and became increasingly involved in community activism. She served as a delegate to the Florida Silver Haired Legislature and, in 1983, became the first woman elected to the Niceville City Council. At age 83, she was also reportedly the oldest person in the nation to win a first bid for public office. She continued serving until retiring at age 92.

Her campaign slogan captured her perfectly:
“I love everybody. If you want to see something done, just come see Granny.”

A determined advocate for local seniors, better healthcare and a new hospital, Granny earned a reputation as a political force of nature. Her persistence also helped make the Twin Cities Pavilion assisted-living facility a reality. An enduring contribution that continues serving our community.

Granny considered everyone in Niceville family, affectionately calling people “honey” and “child.” She passed away in 1998, but her courage, compassion and determination remain woven into the community she loved.

Come celebrate community legends like Jessie Alma “Granny” Edge and help us welcome the newest members of the Civic Hall of Fame!

Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 6:00–8:30 PM
The District | Valparaiso

Just a few seats remain - call 850-678-2323 to reserve yours today!

09/08/2026

We can't wait to see everyone tomorrow! Save some time and register and pay online at nicevillechamber.com. Special thanks to our Partners Eglin Federal Credit Union and Salt & Light Realty for helping make the biggest networking event in town possible!

09/08/2026

We are proud to recognize Rocky Bayou Christian School as our “Cheers to 70 Years” Partner for the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce’s 70th Anniversary Gala & Civic Hall of Fame!

Founded in Niceville in 1973 with just 22 students, Rocky Bayou Christian School has spent more than five decades educating young people, developing servant leaders and strengthening families. Today, its influence reaches well beyond the classroom as generations of graduates carry their faith, character and leadership into our businesses, churches and communities.

Thank you, Rocky Bayou Christian School, for your longstanding commitment to our community, our business family and the Chamber and for helping make the Niceville Valparaiso area such a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.

We are grateful to celebrate 70 years of business, leadership and community with you!

Learn more about Rocky Bayou Christian School and its remarkable history: rbcs.org

09/08/2026

Celebrating 2018 Civic Hall of Fame Inductee Nancy Myers Grigsby

When Nancy Myers Grigsby moved to Niceville in 1985, she quickly became a beloved part of the community, serving others with extraordinary compassion, grace, humor, and strength.

As a medical social worker and patient educator, Nancy created one of Florida’s longest-running kidney disease support groups, offering hope and encouragement to patients and families. Her service reached throughout the Niceville-Valparaiso area from reading to children at Plew Elementary, where she became affectionately known as “Fancy Nancy,” to supporting Relay For Life, cancer support groups, the Sacred Heart Foundation, Ronald McDonald House fundraisers, and IMPACT 100.

Nancy devoted 31 years to First Baptist Church of Niceville, including 20 years on its Church Board. Through her leadership with the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes, she helped advance programs addressing foster care, child hunger, single mothers, and human trafficking, touching thousands of children and families.

Whether helping a family find shelter, connecting someone with vital services, or quietly meeting a need herself, Nancy lived with a true servant’s heart. Even during a nearly 14-year battle with cancer, she continued serving others and making a remarkable difference.

Nancy’s legacy reminds us that one caring person can leave an immeasurable impact on an entire community.

09/07/2026

A heartfelt thank-you to The Manor at Blue Water Bay, our VIP Reception Partner for the Chamber’s 70th Anniversary Gala & Civic Hall of Fame!

The Manor has cared for and served our community since 1993. Support from community-minded businesses like The Manor makes special celebrations like this possible and helps our Chamber continue honoring the people and organizations that make the Niceville-Valparaiso area such a wonderful place to live and work.

Thank you, The Manor at Blue Water Bay, for caring deeply about our community and helping us make this milestone evening truly memorable! 💙

09/07/2026

Celebrating 2019 Civic Hall of Fame Inductee
Brigadier General Donald “Don” E. Haugen, USAF (Ret.)

Gen. Haugen’s remarkable 32-year military career included more than 8,000 flying hours and 311 combat hours as a C-119 pilot in Korea and Indochina. At just 42, he became one of the youngest general officers in the U.S. Air Force at that time.

His greatest local legacy began in 1971 when he became the first commander of the newly activated 919th Special Operations Wing at Duke Field. He helped establish its tactical airlift capabilities and laid the groundwork for gunship training, close air support, reconnaissance, interdiction, and combat search-and-rescue operations.

Gen. Haugen also became an active member of the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, recognizing early that a strong partnership between the military and business community was essential to our area’s growth. He remained a dedicated advocate for the 919th throughout retirement. In 2016, its headquarters building was named Haugen Headquarters in his honor.

Join us as we celebrate distinguished legacy inductees like Gen. Haugen and welcome the 2026 Civic Hall of Fame class at our 70th Anniversary Gala.

Seats are still available - call today at 850-678-2323!

09/04/2026

Thank You to Our 70th Anniversary Gala and Civic Hall of Fame Signature Experience Partner - Eglin Federal Credit Union!

We are proud to recognize Eglin Federal Credit Union as the Signature Experience Partner for our 70th Anniversary Gala & Civic Hall of Fame!

Eglin Federal Credit Union has a long history of investing in the people and organizations that make our community stronger. Their generous partnership is helping us add special touches to the evening and create a memorable celebration worthy of this important milestone.

Without businesses like Eglin Federal Credit Union, businesses that step forward, invest locally and believe in the value of community, milestone celebrations like this simply would not be possible. Their support allows us to honor the leaders who built our community, celebrate those shaping its future and create meaningful experiences that bring us all together.

Thank you, Eglin Federal Credit Union, for your continued commitment to our community and for helping us make this historic evening truly special! 💛

08/07/2026

What do the Mullet Festival, Twin Oaks Sports Complex, Turkey Creek Walk and Niceville’s beloved parks all have in common? Lannie Corbin helped bring them to life!

Appointed Niceville’s City Manager and City Clerk in 1972, Corbin spent nearly 45 years helping guide the city through remarkable growth. During his tenure, Niceville grew from approximately 4,300 residents and 33 city employees to more than 14,000 residents and nearly 200 employees. From recreation and environmental protection to libraries, infrastructure and the annual Fourth of July fireworks, his fingerprints can be found all across the community. Apparently, “City Manager” was just the shorter way of saying “the man who helped with nearly everything!”

Corbin also served as Chamber President in 1980 and remained a devoted supporter of our local businesses and community organizations. Help us celebrate his incredible legacy and 70 years of Chamber history at our 70th Anniversary Gala & Civic Hall of Fame on September 17 at The District!

Seats are going quickly, contact your Chamber Success team so we can get you reserved for a historic night you won't want to miss!