Navy Federal Credit Union, eager to grow its Pensacolaoperations and call center, has won the vote of Florida 4-Hers.

The youngsters of the Escambia 4-H County Council – under acomplex trustee pact involving the Escambia County Commission andthe Florida 4-H Foundation – voted 21-16 Monday to sell 240 acresof land to the $48 billion Navy Federal, clearing the way for thecredit union to add new facilities and hire more people.

The 3.9 million-member, Virginia-based credit union has said itexpects to add 600 employees there, bringing its Pensacola total to 3,000 within a year.

The $3.6 million sale is still subject to final approval of theCounty Commission, expected in the next few weeks. The creditunion's 65-acre, four-building Heritage Oaks facility is nowadjacent to the Langley Bell 4-H Camp, and will take over what nowhouses an auditorium, livestock barns and a pondarea.

Pamela Allen, Escambia County's Extension director from theUniversity of Florida, said the 4-H youngsters agreed withfoundation leaders that proceeds could be better used to build thecounty's 4-H club network, aid in serving underserved youth andfinance scholarships.

As part of the sale agreement, Navy Federal has agreed to “usethe pond area as a memorial site, establish historical markers andperhaps set up picnic grounds open to the public,” Allen said.

Not all the youngsters and the adults favored the sale sincesome commission members voiced concerns about protecting 4-H youth,making certain, as one put it, “that these kids receive the verybest,” Allen said.

She said Navy Federal currently sits on former 4-H property thecredit union bought years ago. The county commission, as trusteesfor the property, also has in the past sold off parcels for thefederal interstate highway system, a Welcome Center and for acommercial park, Allen said.