Panama City to host five-week small developer boot camp starting Feb. 26

The City of Panama City announced a five-week Small Developer Boot Camp to be held Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m., beginning Feb. 26 and concluding March 26 at City Hall in Downtown Panama City. Speaker 1, an unidentified speaker in the transcript, said the Community Redevelopment Agency is hosting the program in partnership with the Incremental Development Alliance.

The course is described as a hands-on, incremental development program for people who "see potential where others only see vacant lots or aging storefronts." Speaker 1 said participants will "roll up your sleeves and work on real projects, your project," rather than attending a passive lecture series.

Organizers said the curriculum will include preparing investor-ready proposals, navigating zoning and land-use rules, and practicing pitches, all with the goal of turning community-centered ideas into viable development projects. "You'll learn how to put together investor ready proposals, navigate zoning and land use rules, and confidently pitch your ideas," the speaker said.

The announcement emphasized inclusion and anti-displacement aims: "You don't have to be a developer to belong here," Speaker 1 said, adding the program is for residents who want reinvestment without displacement and local participation in shaping neighborhoods.

Prospective attendees were directed to register at panamacity.gov; the speaker noted that early-bird registration ends today. The announcement closed with a call to action to "build stronger neighborhoods block by block together."