Okaloosa County, Florida
Okaloosa County may be best known for the sugar white sands and emerald green waters that draw millions of visitors each year. Yet the community is far more than just another pretty face. Eglin Air Force Base, the world’s largest Air Force installation, hosts the headquarters of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), the 96th Test Wing and the 33rd Fighter Wing (F-35 graduate flying and maintenance training wing) among others. With research and testing at the forefront of activities taking place at Eglin, numerous technology and defense contractors have located here – including renowned powerhouses Boeing, BAE Systems, and Lockheed Martin. All benefit from a pro-business local government, award-winning public schools (including Florida’s first STEM-focused middle school), a myriad of post-secondary education options and a steady stream of young, technically astute military retirees.
Located on the Central Gulf Coast with easy access to the Southeast and the World.
Annual Population Growth
Population 18–24
Labor Force Participation
College Graduates
One Okaloosa EDC serves as the community’s lead economic development organization and is committed to fostering economic diversification through comprehensive strategies and initiatives. We match the best workers, sites, incentives, and infrastructure with the businesses growing in and moving to Okaloosa County.
Discover Okaloosa County Success Stories
Startup Okaloosa
Are you an entrepreneur ready to start your business in Okaloosa County? One Okaloosa EDC has your back. We’ve collected the resources needed to start strong and scale up fast.
TeCMEN
Founded in 1989, the Technology Coast Manufacturing and Engineering Network (TeCMEN) provides opportunities for innovative collaboration and advanced technical expertise locally, regionally, and in the competitive global marketplace.
Military Support
With the largest military installation in the backyard, and the largest economic engine for Okaloosa County, One Okaloosa EDC established the DSI in 1996 as an ongoing military issues advocacy group to support and promote the local military installations, missions and their positive economic contributions to the tri-county area of Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties.
Tri-County Community Partnership Initiative
A community partnership program is a framework through which military installation, civic, and business leaders collaborate to develop creative ways to leverage respective abilities and resources to reduce operating costs and increase capabilities on shared services. The net result is a “win-win” scenario where parties in an agreement realize a benefit. One Okaloosa EDC established the TCPI in 2013 as a public-public, public-private (P4) partnership facilitator to support local military installations.
Cincinnati-based Sims-Lohman Announces Acquisition of Facility in Crestview, FL
Sims-Lohman, the nation’s largest provider of kitchen cabinets, granite, and quartz countertops to building professionals, has purchased a 65,000 square foot facility located in Crestview, Florida. One Okaloosa EDC assisted the company with the initial facility search, ultimately leading to the successful property acquisition.
Northeast Okaloosa County Designated as Rural Area of Opportunity for New Job Creation
Northeast Okaloosa County now joins neighboring counties as a Rural Area of Opportunity (RAO) following an Executive Order by Gov. DeSantis on Tuesday. This designation will be used as a tool to attract job-creating industries that will further stimulate the economy in northeast Okaloosa County.
View our latest newsletter: May 2025
