Williams International bringing $1 billion capital investment, 330 jobs to Okaloosa County
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — A Williams International 'high-volume aviation gas turbine engine manufacturing facility' is coming to Okaloosa County, Florida, according to state officials.
Greyhound just added a Mobile bus stop — and Escambia County is next
According to a news release from Gov. Ron DeSantis' office, the State of Florida and anticipate a major capital investment exceeding $1 billion, marking one of the largest projects in Northwest Florida's history.
'This is a monumental project that will have a lasting impact on both Okaloosa County's economy and the entire region,' Okaloosa County Commissioner Paul Mixon said. 'We are fortunate to have been able to invest in the infrastructure at Shoal River Industrial Park to attract an aerospace industry leader like Williams International, and I am thankful to One Okaloosa EDC and Florida Commerce for their hard work and support in this effort.'
Aerospace and aviation manufacturer Williams International began a multi-state search for a location in 2023.
That search is now complete, as the new facility will be located in the Shoal River Industrial Park and will be constructed in three phases.
'This billion-dollar investment is a major win for the Free State of Florida and for Floridians,' Gov. DeSantis said. '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.'
DeSantis used the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to award $3.2 million to Okaloosa County in 2022.
Construction is scheduled to begin on the 250,000-square-foot facility later in 2025, with completion expected by late 2026. More facilities are planned to be built in 2028; a final 500,000 square foot facility is scheduled for completion in 2035-2036, according to state officials.
A release from the Gov. DeSantis' office said FloridaCommerce partnered with CareerSource Florida, Florida's Great Northwest, Space Florida, Okaloosa County, and Triumph Gulf Coast to secure the project.
Severe weather in Mobile: When it rains, it pours
'We are very excited about starting our next phase of growth in Northwest Florida,' Williams International Chairman, President and CEO Gregg Williams said. '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.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
I'm the new leader of the Florida Senate Democratic Caucus. Let's make progress.
I rise with deep gratitude, a strong sense of responsibility, and profound hope. It is the greatest honor of my professional life to stand before you as the newly elected Leader of the Florida Senate Democratic Caucus. I thank my colleagues for their trust, and I appreciate the people of Palm Beach County for the incredible privilege of representing them in this chamber. Let me begin with this: Florida stands at a crossroads. This moment demands clarity and courage. Yes, we face serious challenges, from a changing climate to rising costs, but within every challenge lies a chance to lead with purpose and heart. And this session has shown us what's possible when we choose progress over partisanship. This session in Tallahassee, we are standing firm against bills that would roll back child labor protection. We are fighting against efforts to ban books and censor ideas in our schools. We oppose efforts to roll back the important gun safety measures passed in a bipartisan manner in the wake of the horrific Parkland school shooting. We must honor the memories of those we lost by continuing to prioritize public safety, not by moving backward. Floridians are watching. They are watching this chamber not for theatrics or soundbites, but for leadership. Leadership that puts people first. Leadership that rises above the noise and moves us toward a shared vision for our state's future. We come from different parts of Florida. We hold diverse perspectives, life experiences, and political philosophies. But we were all elected for the same reason: because the people of this state entrusted us to do the work. The real work. Our diversity is our strength, and our unity is our power. Opinion: I'm the mayor of Wellington. Florida's local governments need property taxes. Our caucus is not just here to oppose; we are here to propose. To advance real solutions that address the needs of everyday Floridians. We will listen, legislate, and lead with empathy and resolve. My approach to leadership will not be one of division. It will be one of inclusion. We will not trade in fear. We will lead with facts. We will not engage in personal attacks. We will focus on policy. And we will not allow the loudest voices to drown out the needs of everyday Floridians. To my colleagues across the aisle: I extend my hand in partnership. Some issues should never be partisan, such as ensuring our children's safety in school, protecting clean water, caring for our veterans, and growing our economy in a way that uplifts all Floridians, not just the few at the top. Let's work together where we can. Let's disagree with respect where we must. And let's remember we were not elected to be comfortable. We were elected to be courageous. To my fellow Democrats: I am proud to serve you, and I am prouder of what we are building. We are alive and kicking, passing bills, fighting bad policy and getting appropriations for projects that impact our districts. We may not hold the majority, but we have something just as powerful: a vision rooted in fairness, in justice, in equality, and in care. Members, let us work together to build a Florida where every child, no matter their background or ZIP code, can attend a well-funded public school that prepares them not just to pass a test, but to thrive in life. Let us make healthcare affordable and accessible, not just in our urban centers, but in rural communities where care is too often out of reach. Let us address our housing crisis — not by pushing people out, but by ensuring that working families, seniors, and young people can afford to live in the communities they love. Let us protect fundamental freedoms, ensuring that every person has the right to make decisions about their own body, their own future, and their own family. Opinion: Rolling the dice with Mother Nature: Trump's FEMA cuts would be new disaster for Florida This is what we believe, and this is what I will fight for. I believe in the potential of Florida's future, and I will fight to see it realized. We will lead with heart, with purpose, and with the unwavering belief that Florida's best days are ahead of us. Editor's Note: Sen. Lori Berman gave this speech, outling her hopes in the Florida Legislature, shortly after being selected Senate Democratic Leader. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida Democrats can make a difference in our Senate | Opinion
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pensacola woman accused of using stolen identity to buy Chevrolet Silverado, deputies say
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — A Pensacola woman is accused of using another person's identity to buy a Chevrolet Silverado at an automobile dealership in Escambia County, Florida. Teen arrested in Fairhope shooting Brandi Michelle Neal, 51, is in the Escambia County Jail on several fraud charges and grand theft of a motor vehicle, has learned. She is being held without bond, jail records show. 'She would steal another's identity and try to buy that truck in that innocent person's name without their knowledge,' an Escambia County Sheriff's Office Facebook post said. 'She entered a local dealership and, using the name that's not her own, purchased a bright red Chevrolet Silverado.' According to the ECSO post, after Neal took possession of the truck, an acquaintance of hers later had it. The next day, a private landowner requested that the abandoned truck be towed off the property. 'Ultimately, the truck was reported stolen by fraud and returned to the dealership,' ECSO's post said. Neal then learned that her truck had been recovered and contacted deputies about having it returned to her, still under her false identity, according to ECSO. Deputies ultimately did not return the vehicle to her, and she was taken into custody under the name Brandi Michelle Neal, as stated by the sheriff's office. The sheriff's office stated that she also goes by the name Chyna White (Chyna Whyt) on Facebook. UPDATE: Federal Bureau of Prisons responds to Todd Chrisley's allegations about FPC Pensacola This investigation remains active. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Attorney general targets 2 Florida hospitals over lack of price transparency
Attorney General James Uthmeier issued subpoenas Friday to Florida-based hospitals to ensure they comply with price transparency laws. 'Patients are still consumers, and they deserve transparency,' Uthmeier said in a video posted on X. 'The big healthcare industry complex continues to rake in billions off Americans in their most vulnerable moments. We must protect patients.' Uthmeier said under Florida law, a hospital's failure to provide price disclosure may constitute an unfair and deceptive trade practice. He said his subpoenas are related to patient charges, disclosures, billing practice, price transparency and surprise billing protections. The attorney general said his investigation is in line with President Donald Trump's price transparency executive order. Patient advocacy groups in Florida have been pushing for more price transparency. 'Hospitals have hidden their prices yet have forced patients to sign a blank check before they can get care,' said Cynthia A. Fisher, founder and chairman of a nonprofit focused on healthcare price transparency. 'As long as prices have been hidden, hospitals have been able to charge whatever they want. The attorney general's action aims to protect patients by providing actual, upfront prices. This investigation will protect Floridians from hospitals' predatory practices, prevent overcharges, and make bills accountable.' Uthmeier's subpoenas were delivered to Southern Baptist Hospital of Florida in Jacksonville and Adventist Health (Advent Health) in Central Florida, according to the advocacy group. released its seventh semi-annual Hospital Price Transparency Report in fall 2024, which examined 2,000 hospitals' compliance with the federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule. The November 2024 report indicates that only 29% of hospitals in Florida were fully compliant with the federal price transparency rule, a drop from 41% in February 2024. Only 39 of 135 Florida hospitals reviewed were fully complying with the rule. 'By keeping their prices hidden, hospitals continue to block American consumers from their right to compare prices and protect themselves from overcharges,' Fisher said. 'During a patient's most vulnerable hour, all too often, hospitals require them to sign contracts accepting full financial responsibility without acknowledging any prices. Florida law clearly states that unfair and deceptive acts and practices are 'unlawful,' which include omitting material information like prices. Yet, that is exactly what Florida hospitals have been doing.' Florida Health Price Finder is a state-operated website developed by the Agency for Health Care Administration to show prices of common services. South Florida Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@
