The State of Florida and Williams International have put together 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 aircraft engine 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.

Numerous state, regional and local partners worked together to facilitate this major economic development success story for northwest Florida. In 2022, Governor 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 organisations 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,” says Governor Ron 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.”

“Under Governor DeSantis' leadership, Florida continues to attract advanced manufacturing throughout the state, strengthening Florida's economy and creating opportunities for job seekers and job creators,” adds Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “This is a win for northwest Florida and was made possible through partnership with CareerSource Florida, Okaloosa County, One Okaloosa EDC, Space Florida and Triumph Gulf Coast; Williams International's investment in Florida will drive long-term economic growth and opportunity.”

“We are very excited about starting our next phase of growth in northwest Florida,” reveals Gregg Williams, chairman, president and CEO of Williams International. “We are grateful to the Triumph board and for the strong, unified support from all of our Florida stakeholders that will enable us to create many high quality, high technology jobs producing the world's best gas turbine engines.”

“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 centre for aerospace commerce,” comments Rob Long, president and CEO, Space Florida.

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.