Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $3.2 million to Okaloosa County through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to expand roads, rail lines and utility infrastructure at the Shoal River Ranch, an industrial mega site, which is expected to bring more than 11,000 jobs to the region. This will more than double the current number of manufacturing jobs in the area, bringing more than 4,000 new jobs in manufacturing.
“Florida is committed to expanding our industrial base and investments like this, as well as our strong support for skilled trades and workforce education, will help us achieve this goal,” said DeSantis.
“This funding will support economic development in Okaloosa County by creating available, ready-to-access sites for industrial development, which will have lasting impacts throughout the region,” said said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Dane Eagle.
“The Shoal River Ranch Giga Site is a critical infrastructure project and the award made today is a difference maker,” said Chairman of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, Mel Ponder. “There is nothing else this size, with this much access to a major interstate, in Florida. Opportunities at this site will create thousands of jobs in multiple sectors, another great win as we diversify our local economy. This opportunity will be transformational for our area.”
Shoal River Ranch Giga Site is located seven miles east of Crestview, with access to Interstate 10, Highway 90 and the Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad. The site is projected to make an economic impact of more than $47.6 million after infrastructure improvements are made.
