May 2025 Update from One Okaloosa EDC
By Nathan Sparks, CEcD Executive Director of One Okaloosa EDC Well, that’s a wrap! Truly hard to believe, but the 8th annual TeCMEN Industry Day held on May 14 at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center has now come and gone. If you were among our 370+ attendees, 46 exhibitors, 15 speakers or 18 sponsors – thank you! We certainly value your support and partnership in executing what has become one of One Okaloosa EDC’s signature annual events. As many of you know, there is a special group of
Welcome to Our Brand New Website!
One Okaloosa EDC officially launched a new on-line presence today with the announcement of www.oneokaloosa.org. Developed by Appleyard Duncan McCall, a Pensacola-based marketing agency, the site replaces One Okaloosa’s prior site that had been in existence since 2017. One Okaloosa had previously undertaken a website refresh following the organization’s rebranding from the Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County to One Okaloosa EDC in late 2020. “Our prior website served us well for more than seven
March 2025 Update from One Okaloosa EDC
By Nathan Sparks, CEcD Executive Director of One Okaloosa EDC Spring has officially sprung along the Emerald Coast. Around here, we all know that with spring comes busier roadways, distracted drivers and that relentless yellow pollen that continues to coat our vehicles while wreaking havoc on our sinuses. That said, spring also brings longer days, warmer weather, beautiful flowers, outdoor events and a sense of new beginnings. Here at One Okaloosa EDC, spring has gotten off to a very busy start. Along
Okaloosa County School District First Semester Highlights 2024-2025
As we enter a new semester, it is my pleasure to share the incredible achievements and milestones of the first half of the school year with our families and community members. It is truly inspiring to witness our students excel in academics, the arts, and athletics while our teachers and staff dedicate themselves to fostering a positive and dynamic learning environment. These highlights are a testament to everyone's collective hard work and commitment to the Okaloosa County School District. Let's take a
January 2025 Update from One Okaloosa EDC
By Nathan Sparks, CEcD Executive Director of One Okaloosa EDC “Expect the unexpected.” If the recent, record-breaking Florida snowfall taught us anything, it is certainly that! Perhaps it is the “newness” of the year and the anticipation of all the still-to-be-revealed opportunities our community and its businesses will discover over the next 11+ months that have me feeling incredibly optimistic for 2025. I sincerely hope that you share that optimism with me! One thing that we know for certain is this –
Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available for the 2025 TeCMEN Industry Day
TeCMEN Industry Day has become a signature event for technology, defense, manufacturing, and workforce education professionals across the Gulf Coast, with 95% of 2024 attendees indicating they would recommend the event to their peers. Sponsorship packages offer organizations an impactful and cost-effective opportunity to enhance their brand visibility among a targeted audience eager for new business ventures. With 87% of exhibitors and attendees from the previous year reporting successful connections that
Help Shape One Okaloosa EDC's New Internship Program
One Okaloosa EDC is building a program to connect businesses with qualified interns and apprentices. Share your thoughts by completing this brief survey. Your insights will help ensure this initiative meets your needs and fosters growth across the community. Join us in strengthening our local workforce. Complete survey here!
One Okaloosa EDC Releases Industry Internship Interest & Needs Assessment Survey
We’re excited to announce our upcoming initiative connecting businesses, workforce partners, and educational institutions. To tailor this program to your needs, we invite you to complete our short survey. Your input will be instrumental in shaping a program that supports your company and the local community. Thank you for your time and valuable feedback!
May 2024 Update from One Okaloosa EDC
By Nathan Sparks, CEcD Executive Director of One Okaloosa EDC Many of you reading this had the pleasure of knowing Dr. David Goetsch, Emeritus Vice President, Northwest Florida State College, noted author of more than 70 books and proud United States Marine Corps veteran. Among his many accomplishments (and I do mean many), Dr. Goetsch co-founded both One Okaloosa EDC and the Technology Coast Manufacturing & Engineering Network (TeCMEN) in the late 80s. He served as Chairman of the EDC twice and was
Educate the Educators Plus One Program Provides Okaloosa County Students and Teachers with Opportunities to Explore Local Businesses
On Friday, April 5, a group of fifteen students and teachers from middle and high schools in north Okaloosa County were given a behind-the-scenes tour of several local businesses. This tour was part of the Educate the Educator Plus One program, which was organized by the Okaloosa County School District, One Okaloosa EDC, TecMEN, and Career Source of Okaloosa and Walton Counties. The program aims to provide students and educators with knowledge about the local labor market and job opportunities, and
Okaloosa County’s Shoal River Ranch Gigasite recognized with prestigious ‘Select Site’ distinction by CSX Railroad
Okaloosa County’s Shoal River Ranch Gigasite has joined an elite group of locations across the country as a “Select Site” at the Bronze Level by CSX Railroad, the leading supplier of freight transportation in North America. Shoal River Ranch is one of 19 sites nationwide that received “Select Site” status which positions the County to attract significant economic development. “We are excited to receive this distinction and are proud of the work One Okaloosa EDC has done to achieve this national
January 2024 Update from One Okaloosa EDC
By Nathan Sparks, CEcD Executive Director of One Okaloosa EDC We sincerely hope that each of you are experiencing a healthy and prosperous New Year thus far, and hopefully your New Year’s Resolutions are all still intact! While I won’t comment on the status of my ill-fated Resolutions (exercise – really?), I am happy to share that the One Okaloosa team picked up right where we left off in 2023. In fact, the first three weeks of the New Year have brought forth a diverse and gratifying workload. From
November 2023 Update from One Okaloosa EDC
By Nathan Sparks, CEcD Executive Director of One Okaloosa EDC I hope that each and every one of you had a festive and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday! For the team here at One Okaloosa EDC, Thanksgiving offered a much needed break. Fall tends to be one of our busiest seasons, and this year has certainly been no exception. Along with working projects, hosting prospect site visits, advocating for our vital military missions, participating in multiple marketing events, and conducting “thank you” visits to the
October 2023 Update from One Okaloosa EDC
By Nathan Sparks, CEcD Executive Director of One Okaloosa EDC Welcome to Fall! After the scorching hot summer that we experienced, the (slightly) cooler temperatures are, quite literally, a breath of fresh air. Fall not only brings cooler weather, lighter traffic, fewer crowds and, my personal favorite, FOOTBALL – it also brings a change of leadership at One Okaloosa as our new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. We cannot say enough about what a pleasure it has been to serve under Jillian McQueen, Hilton Garden
July 2023 Update from One Okaloosa EDC
By Nathan Sparks, CEcD Executive Director of One Okaloosa EDC What a month it has been for economic development in Okaloosa County! First, on June 21, Boeing held a ribbon cutting for its new 20,000 SF F-18/A landing gear maintenance and repair facility in the Fort Walton Beach Commerce and Technology Park. For those keeping track, this is Boeing’s third facility in Okaloosa County, and our workforce’s continued ability to meet the exacting standards of a company like Boeing are particularly noteworthy.
May 2023 Update from One Okaloosa EDC
By Nathan Sparks, CEcD Executive Director of One Okaloosa EDC As I reflect on the past couple of months here at One Okaloosa EDC, the old Willie Nelson standard “On the Road Again” comes to mind. Spring is always a busy season for our external marketing efforts, and this spring has certainly been no different in that regard. A prospecting trip to California at the end of March was followed by a trip to Atlanta in April for MRO Americas. Organized by Aviation Week magazine, MRO Americas is three day expo
