Williams International broke ground Thursday on the first phase of its $1.04 billion manufacturing facility in Okaloosa County, the largest investment in Northwest Florida history.
- Lt. Gov. Jay Collins joined state and local leaders at Shoal River Industrial Park for the 11:30 a.m. ceremony, where the Michigan-based aerospace manufacturer began construction on a 250,000-square-foot facility scheduled for completion in late 2026.
“A billion dollar enterprise right up here in northwest Florida,” Collins said. “Freedom, innovation, opportunity intersect at junctions just like this.”
The project will create 336 high-technology jobs producing aviation gas turbine engines across three construction phases spanning more than a decade. The facility, which Williams International will call Module 8, represents the company’s expansion into Northwest Florida after a comprehensive multi-state search that began in 2023.
“Williams International is the world leader in gas turbine engines,” said John Sordyl, senior vice president of Williams International. “We’re hands-on, we’re hardware oriented, and we pride ourselves in making things right here in the United States.”
- The company distributed commemorative challenge coins to attendees.
State and local officials emphasized the collaborative effort that attracted the investment. Florida awarded $3.2 million through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund in 2022 to expand manufacturing in Okaloosa County. Triumph Gulf Coast, Florida Commerce, Space Florida, CareerSource Florida and other organizations partnered to secure the project.
“This was the result of the state, the local, the whole community coming together and saying, we want to do something special,” said Jason Mahon, Florida deputy secretary of commerce and chief manufacturing officer.
Sen. Don Gaetz, who helped establish Triumph Gulf Coast, said the investment represents more than economic impact.
- “Williams International is going to bring its families here,” Gaetz said. “Their children will attend our schools here, some of the best schools in America. Williams families will own homes here, and they’ll be our neighbors here.”
Commissioner Trey Goodwin recalled the decade-long journey to develop Shoal River Industrial Park from undeveloped property.
“You drive in and there’s a beautiful paved entrance that I think speaks to the modern manufacturing type development that Williams will be bringing here to Okaloosa County,” Goodwin said.
Rep. Nathan Boyles, a former Okaloosa County commissioner, credited numerous partners for making the project possible.
- “Please know that a lot of folks whose names you’ll never know toiled alongside you to make this today possible,” Boyles said. “We’re proud that you chose Northwest Florida and Okaloosa County, and we think you made the right decision.”
Nathan Sparks, executive director of One Okaloosa EDC, said the project resulted from “planning, preparation, persistence, and partnerships.”
The company plans subsequent construction phases in 2028, with a final 500,000-square-foot facility planned for 2035-2036.
Sordyl said the facility will help meet record demand for Williams products.
- “Our ability to expand, to begin this expansion today, is greatly due to Florida’s unified commitment to advanced cutting edge aerospace technology and your confidence in Williams International,” Sordyl said.
Collins challenged the company to continue expanding in Florida.
“What’s next? What do we do next? How can we help you do more great things?” Collins said. “When great businesses interact with great communities, you have incredible results.”
Williams International, headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan, designs, manufactures and supports aviation gas turbine engines for commercial and military applications.
