The State of Florida and Williams International have announced a major capital investment expected to total more than $1 billion in Okaloosa County—easily placing the project among the largest in the history of the Northwest Florida region. This announcement follows a comprehensive, multi-state search initiated by aerospace and aviation manufacturer Williams International in 2023.
Williams International’s planned high-volume aviation gas turbine engine manufacturing facility will be constructed in three phases within the Shoal River Industrial Park.
In 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $3.2 million through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to expand manufacturing in Okaloosa County. FloridaCommerce partnered with several state and local organizations including CareerSource Florida, Florida’s Great Northwest, Space Florida, Okaloosa County and Triumph Gulf Coast on this major economic development win for Florida.
“This billion-dollar investment is a major win for the Free State of Florida and for Floridians,” said Gov. DeSantis. “Williams International’s investment in the Florida Panhandle will create more than 330 jobs, and is a success story of the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund in Northwest Florida.”
“Northwest Florida is proving itself to be a rising hub for aerospace activity and an essential part of Florida’s expanding aerospace ecosystem. Williams International’s expansion in this community is a stellar example of how new opportunities for innovation and investment are being built in every corner of the state—reinforcing all of Florida as the global and interplanetary center for aerospace commerce,” said Rob Long, president and CEO, Space Florida.
“This is a monumental project that will have a lasting impact on both Okaloosa County’s economy and the entire region,” said Commissioner Paul Mixon, Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners.
The company’s first 250,000 sq. ft. facility is slated to begin construction later this year, with completion scheduled for late 2026. Subsequent facilities will be constructed in 2028, with the final 500,000 sq. ft. planned for the 2035/2036 timeframe.
Headquartered in Pontiac, Mich., Williams International is the world leader in the design, manufacturing and support of aviation gas turbine engines. In addition to its world class reputation for customer support, Williams International is also well known for establishing highly integrated and automated manufacturing facilities in the world to support high-quality, high-volume production and on-schedule delivery of its rapidly growing family of commercial and military products. Visit www.Williams-Int.com.
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