Widely known for our white sand beaches, which draw national and international travelers, Northwest Florida is also a destination for business. Beyond our beaches, Northwest Florida is full of forward-thinking leaders, welcoming communities, old Florida charm and business diversity. We continue to attract and grow top-tier companies in sectors like aerospace, cyber and manufacturing – just to name a few.
Northwest Florida has a competitive edge for businesses on the cusp of greatness. We invite you to be part of our story.
Contact us today to learn more.
Total Population
1,179,000
Labor Force
508,000+
Immediate Growth 2021 – 2025
11.3%
Expected Growth by 2050
51.3%
Northwest Florida has old Florida charm – miles of undeveloped beach, fresh local seafood and welcoming communities – but dig a little deeper and you’ll find forward-thinking communities working to grow our tech, aerospace, defense and manufacturing industries. Through infrastructure development and focused workforce training, the region is on the cusp of being the next global hub for these targeted industries. We invite you to build on our successes and become part of the fabric of our growing communities.
Click on any county to learn more
Okaloosa County is home to Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field, giving it a built-in workforce for high-tech employment, including aviation, aerospace and defense businesses. Bob Sikes Industrial Airpark is ideally suited for these industries. Yet the county is also known as a family-friendly community with white sand beaches and world-class golf.
Home to The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, Tyndall Air Force Base and the deep-water Port Panama City, Bay County also has 27 miles of beaches for year round snorkeling, fishing, boating and diving. Bay is also home to many family attractions, the famed Shell Island and St. Andrews State Park.
In Calhoun County, businesses will find pad-ready sites directly served by the county’s airport. The county is also home to several unique ecosystems along the Apalachicola River where you can enjoy year-round boating, fishing and exploring its many canoe and kayak trails.
Home to Naval Air Station Pensacola, the Blue Angels, Port of Pensacola and America’s oldest settlement, Escambia County has a large population of military retirees and educational and training institutions including University of West Florida and Pensacola State College.
A part of the “Forgotten Coast,” Franklin County offers a relaxed lifestyle in its many coastal communities. Franklin is also home to the Apalachicola Air Park at the Franklin County/Apalachicola Regional Airport where there is ample industrial and commercial land available for development.
Gulf Country is home to Port St. Joe and has several industrial parks and industrially zoned sites, some with direct water access for marine industries. From the ancient cypress forests of Dead Lakes to the white sands of Gulf of Mexico, the county offers world-class golf, hunting, diving and fishing.
Holmes County is a friendly rural community, rich with natural beauty with forests, lakes, creeks and the Choctawhatchee River, Ponce De Leon Springs State Park and Vortex Springs. Here you’ll find a more relaxed lifestyle just a short drive to the beaches and major tourist destinations.
Jackson County has a long history as a manufacturing and distribution center and has the infrastructure, sites and skilled workforces to support new development. It’s also home to Chipola College. The county’s natural features include Florida Caverns State Park, the only walk-through caves in the state.
A mostly rural county, Liberty is home to the Apalachicola and Ochlockonee Rivers and 836-square miles of Apalachicola National Forest. The county balances it’s invaluable natural resources with expanding business and an industrial base that leverages the county’s abundant pine resources.
One of the fastest growing counties in the country, Santa Rosa has ready-to-build sites and a trained and experienced workforce. Home to both beautiful beaches and a fast-growing tech community, Santa Rosa County is an ideal location for aerospace, aviation, tech or manufacturing industries.
Walton County’s fully-developed industrial parks and enterprise zones and proximity to the deep-water Port Panama City and its foreign trade zone make it a great place to do business. Its 26 miles of sugar-white sand beaches, four state parks and family-oriented communities mean it’s also a great place to live.
Washington County is ready to help you grow your business! This growing county is home to Florida Panhandle Technical College and has forward thinking local governments ready to work with new and expanding businesses. The county is also home to the scenic Falling Waters State Park, seaside horseback riding trails, golf and the Seacrest Wolf Preserve.
Learn what it’s like to live and work in the region – shorter commute times, gorgeous landscapes and much more.
FGNW Foundation’s Endowment Fund was invested using a cost averaging strategy to navigate the market volatility due to the pandemic. Long-term, the fund will provide a recurring source of revenue for the efforts of both FGNW and the Foundation.
At a closing retreat and graduation ceremony on May 17, 2024, Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) Foundation honored its new graduates from Leadership Northwest Florida, a regional collaboration program focused on community, content, and connection.
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Florida was ranked 4th in Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index.
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Florida’s Great Northwest is here to enhance Northwest Florida’s competitive position through industry diversification and quality job growth. Whether you’re a company executive, site selector, or Northwest Floridian, contact us to learn how we can work together.
