Story ID: 
Williams Celebrates Groundbreaking of Florida Facility
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: New manufacturing plant will encompass more than 1 million sq ft
Word Count: 189
After announcing plans to build a manufacturing facility in Florida in May, turbine engine manufacturer Williams International broke ground on the project on October 30. The facility will encompass 1 million sq ft at the Shoal River Industrial Park in Okaloosa County, near Crestview in the Florida panhandle.
More than 150 people including representatives of Florida’s state, county, and local government, helped celebrate the event. The state expects the project to involve capital investment of more than $1 billion. Williams International said the facility enables “the future growth of new product lines,” although it is not known whether than means engines larger than the FJ44 series that powers many light jets.
The first phase of construction is expected to be ready for operation by the end of 2026. Further construction will take place through 2035 to 2036.
“Williams is extremely fortunate to have record demand for our products today, and exponentially growing opportunities for the future,” said John Sordyl, executive v-p of customer experience. “And this new facility, along with the extremely talented workforce in Okaloosa County, is an essential and enabling part of that bright future.”