Design and Construction Report staff writer
The State of Florida and Williams International have unveiled a $1 billion capital investment project to build aviation gas turbine engine manufacturing facility to the Shoal River Industrial Park in Okaloosa County.
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.
A multi-state site search was conducted by Williams International in 2023. The Michigan-based aerospace and aviation manufacturer selected Florida following an extensive evaluation process. The company’s high-volume engine production campus will be constructed in three phases, with the first 250,000-square-foot facility breaking ground later this year and expected to be completed by late 2026. Subsequent phases are planned for 2028 and 2035/36, eventually totaling 500,000 square feet.
“This billion-dollar investment is a major win for the Free State of Florida and for Floridians,” said 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.”
In 2022, Governor DeSantis awarded $3.2 million through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to expand manufacturing infrastructure in Okaloosa County, setting the stage for today’s announcement.
“We are very excited about starting our next phase of growth in Northwest Florida,” said 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.”
Okaloosa County officials highlighted the importance of infrastructure readiness and collaboration in attracting such a high-profile investment.
“This is a monumental project that will have a lasting impact on both Okaloosa County’s economy and the entire region,” said Commissioner Paul Mixon. “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.”
Headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan, Williams International is globally recognized for its innovation in aviation gas turbine engine design and manufacturing. The company supports both commercial and military applications and is known for its highly automated, integrated production facilities.
For more information about Williams International, visit www.Williams-Int.com.
