3 days ago
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.
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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.
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'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.'
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