Okaloosa County receives $3.2 million to expand manufacturing at Shoal River Ranch

CRESTVIEW, Fla. — Okaloosa County has been awarded $3.2 million through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to expand roads, rail lines, and utility infrastructure at the Shoal River Ranch.

Shoal River Ranch is an industrial mega-site, and with this investment, it is expected to bring more than 11,000 jobs to the Okaloosa County region, according to Governor Ron DeSantis.

The investment is meant to more than double the current number of manufacturing jobs in the area, bringing more than 4,000 new jobs in manufacturing, DeSantis said.

“Today’s grant will lay the foundation for a dramatic expansion of manufacturing in Okaloosa County,” said DeSantis at a stop in Crestview this morning.

“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.”

“The Shoal River Ranch Giga Site is a critical infrastructure project, and the award made today is a difference-maker,” said Mel Ponder, Chairman of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners. 

“There is nothing else this size, with this much access to a major interstate, in the state of Florida. Future tenants will have access to people trained and led by our education system, our college system, and our transitioning military who are technically trained. 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 7 miles east of Crestview with access to Interstate 10, Highway 90, and the Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad, which allows companies to have easy access to transportation routes.

The site is projected to make an economic impact of over $47.6 million after infrastructure improvements are made.