Economic Development
One Okaloosa EDC Wins State “Deal of the Year” for Williams International Project
The Florida Economic Development Council honored the Okaloosa County organization for landing one of the largest capital investments in state history.
One Okaloosa EDC came home from Orlando last week with Florida’s top economic development honor — the 2026 “Deal of the Year” award in the Urban category from the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC).
The recognition was tied to One Okaloosa’s work recruiting Williams International to the Shoal River Industrial Park near Crestview.
- The Michigan-based manufacturer is now constructing the first phase of a one-million-square-foot gas turbine engine manufacturing plant — a project carrying a total capital investment of $1,040,819,000, placing it among the largest economic development wins in Florida history.
Williams International has committed to hiring 336 workers at an average annual wage of $69,434 — well above regional norms.
FEDC hands out three Deal of the Year awards annually—in Rural, Urban, and Regional categories—evaluating submissions on economic impact and the complexity of expertise required to close the deal. One Okaloosa submitted the Williams project to the FEDC Awards Review Panel earlier this year.
Executive Director Nathan Sparks credited a wide coalition of partners for the outcome, including the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, FloridaCommerce, Triumph Gulf Coast, Space Florida, CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, Northwest Florida State College, the University of West Florida, Okaloosa Technical College, and the Okaloosa County School District.
- “While our organization’s name may be on it, this is truly a team award,” Sparks said.
One Okaloosa EDC, founded in 1989, is a 501(c)(6) public-private partnership serving Okaloosa County and its nine municipalities. More information is available at oneokaloosa.org.