By Nathan Sparks, CEcD
Executive Director of One Okaloosa EDC
Regardless of what the calendar may say about June 21st being the “official” start of Summer, those of us who are fortunate enough to call the Emerald Coast home need only to look at the roadways, waterways and restaurants to know that Summer has arrived. While some may occasionally gripe about the increase in traffic – or an extended wait at a favorite restaurant – it is important to remember that the visitors we welcome bring their hard-earned dollars to town. Not only do these dollars translate to local jobs (more than 50,000 according to our friends at the Okaloosa County Tourism Development Department), they also benefit local schools and infrastructure projects thanks to two voter-approved half-cent surtax initiatives. In doing so, those of us who live here are able to enjoy the “fruits” (i.e. school enhancements, transportation improvements, etc.) that come with a regular infusion of visitor spending without having to shoulder the full cost of these projects. As a result, Okaloosa County is consistently able to punch above our weight class while maintaining the lowest per capita property tax burden in the state.
Speaking of “punching above our weight class”, I suspect that by now many of you may have heard the news that One Okaloosa EDC was recently honored by the Florida Economic Development Council with the 2026 Deal of the Year Award for the $1.04 billion Williams International gas turbine engine manufacturing facility that is currently under construction at the Shoal River Industrial Park. Given Okaloosa’s population of approximately 221,000, we were competing in the “Urban” category – which meant we were up against projects in much larger counties.
Suffice it to say, we were ecstatic to receive this statewide recognition on behalf of our many state, regional and local partners who really came together to secure Williams International in our community. To be clear, without the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners (including County administrators and key staff), FloridaCommerce, Triumph Gulf Coast, Space Florida, the University of West Florida, Northwest Florida State College, Okaloosa County School District, Florida’s Great Northwest, FPL and Okaloosa Gas, the “Deal of the Year” would not have happened. Simply put, we owe all of these individuals and organizations a tremendous debt of gratitude.
Finally, I want to personally thank each and every one of you who joined us for the 9th annual TeCMEN Industry Day on May 13. This year’s event proved to be the biggest one yet, and whether you were among our nearly 500 attendees, 43 exhibitors, 18 sponsors, or 14 speakers, we greatly appreciate the part you played in making the event a resounding success!
