Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office

With certified sites, modern infrastructure and a trained, educated and experienced workforce, Santa Rosa County offers industries an opportunity to maximize their ROI in a community dedicated to providing the best to residents and businesses. From our expanding tourism, vibrant farming community, growing industrial presence, our strong military ties, to our top-notch schools, it is no surprise that Santa Rosa County is one of the fastest growing counties in the United States.

8^th

fastest growing population in Florida

90K+

trained, educated, and prepared laborforce

210K+

santa rosa county population

540K

msa population

Access the world

Santa Rosa County sits in Florida’s western tip, at the center of the U.S. Gulf Coast. From here you can reach Houston and Nashville just as quickly as Miami. Easy Gulf access puts the world at your fingertips.

Industry Reports

Aviation

We are located only 70 miles from the new Airbus manufacturing facility in Mobile, eight and a half hours from Boeing in Charleston, and only five hours from three additional aviation OEM's.

Distribution

Santa Rosa County is located at Florida's western tip, at the center of the U.S. Gulf Coast, we can reach Houston and Nashville just as quickly as Miami.

Retail

Santa Rosa County is one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. Our untapped retail sales potential, high median household income rates, low business costs coupled with our top-ranked school systems and low crime rate make Santa Rosa a great place to do business.

Cyber-Security

Northwest Florida has a dominant cluster of government IT/Cybersecurity and a modest but growing commercial cluster. Few locations around the country match the area's concentration of military and federal cybersecurity investment.

Leonardo Helicopters has officially opened its 73,000-square-foot Florida Support Center at Whiting Aviation Park in Santa Rosa County.

Northwest Florida Is Filling a Critical Need for Aviation Workforce

Aviation and aerospace companies deciding where to locate or expand are running into a labor problem before they get to incentives. The U.S. is short roughly 17,000 certificated aircraft mechanics today, a gap that could nearly double to 30,000 within two years, according to the Aviation Technician Education Council. Boeing's latest Pilot and Technician Outlook puts the longer-term need at 123,000 new maintenance technicians across North America through 2044. About 40% of mechanics currently on the job are over 60, and the average age in the field is 57. For site selectors, workforce availability is no longer a secondary question.

Navy Veteran Brews Up Community and Creativity at Shuga Beanz Coffee

There’s a coffee shop in Pace, Florida that’s as full of personality as it is flavor. Shuga Beanz has been a local favorite for eight years — serving everything from traditional coffees and lattes to Italian sodas, yogurt parfaits, and their signature “Shuga Blasters,” custom dessert drinks that have become a local legend.

Veteran’s Leadership and Culinary Creativity Power The Makery in Pace

As a former Electronics Technician 2nd Class in the U.S. Navy, Cody Sowell knows the value of discipline, teamwork, and precision. Those same skills now help power The Makery, a full-service bakery in Pace, which he co-founded with his wife, Meredith Sowell, a seasoned pastry chef with experience at top resorts and private clubs.

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