Posted: May 26, 2026
NORTHWEST FLORIDA — Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) has secured a prestigious national Economic Development Organization (EDO) Award from Business Facilities, a leading national publication for qualified decision-makers focused on corporate expansion, relocation, workforce development, and strategic site selection across various industries. FGNW earned top honors for its innovative military talent marketing campaign, Mission-Ready Veterans – Business-Ready Results.
This accolade places FGNW in remarkably exclusive territory. Among just 23 economic development entities recognized nationwide, FGNW is one of only two organizations in Florida to take home an EDO Award this year. The honor elevates FGNW into an elite echelon of top-tier economic development teams celebrated for delivering world-class, creative solutions to today's most pressing challenges.
Fueled by FloridaCommerce’s Defense Reinvestment Grant and precise data from the University of West Florida Haas Center, the initiative highlights Northwest Florida’s 13-county region as a premier hub for top-tier talent. By directly connecting the area's massive influx of 5,200 annually, separating military personnel with rapidly growing industries, the initiative solves a critical piece of the site-selection puzzle: immediate access to a highly skilled, disciplined workforce.
"We are honored that Florida’s Great Northwest was selected by Business Facilities for an EDO Award," said Jennifer Conoley, President & CEO of Florida's Great Northwest. "Standing among 23 organizations recognized nationwide, this award validates the strength of our region’s strategy. Our 5,200 transitioning military members every year is a powerhouse economic driver, and this award proves that our efforts to connect mission-ready veterans with business-ready opportunities are setting a national standard."
The Business Facilities EDO Awards program shines a spotlight on organizations that excel at making their locations stand out to corporate site selectors and consultants. In an era where workforce availability is the ultimate deciding factor for corporate relocations and expansions, FGNW’s campaign stood out as an innovative, scalable model for regional growth.
For more information about Florida's Great Northwest and the region’s military talent initiatives, visit www.floridasgreatnorthwest.com.
Florida’s Great Northwest is the regional economic development organization for the 13-county region of the Florida Panhandle. The organization's purpose is to promote Northwest Florida for economic growth and diversification, to advocate for economic development issues that affect the region, and to collaborate to improve regional competitiveness. Beyond our beaches, Northwest Florida offers business competitive, bottom-line advantages in workforce training, upgraded infrastructure, access to a host of defense assets, and a diverse base of industries that already call the region home. For more information, visit www.floridasgreatnorthwest.com.
