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Williams International has broken ground on its billion-dollar aerospace facility in Okaloosa County, representing one of the largest economic investments in the region’s history. The Liza Jackson Park project moves forward with upland improvements first in Fort Walton Beach, Rep. Patt Maney returns to Tallahassee for committee weeks and files three bills ahead of the 2026 session, the Bloody Mary festival raises $28,000 for Habitat for Humanity in Walton County, and three Niceville High School students earn prestigious AP Capstone awards.
PARKS+REC
Liza Jackson Park project moving forward with upland improvements first in Fort Walton Beach
The City of Fort Walton Beach’s $3.5 million plan to renovate Liza Jackson Park has hit a snag with federal permitting delays, but city officials say they’ll move forward with bidding the project anyway and start with upland improvements.
- Public Works Director Daniel Payne told the city council at their Oct. 28 meeting that plans for the boat ramp overhaul are complete, but permitting for water-related work from the Army Corps of Engineers remains delayed. The ongoing government shutdown isn’t helping the situation.
“At some point in time we feel like we just gotta put it out there,” Payne said, referring to issuing bids for the project despite ongoing permitting uncertainty. He referenced similar delays the city faced with The Landing project that dragged on for years.
Bids are scheduled to be posted by Nov. 6, with a pre-bid meeting set for Nov. 18 and bid submissions due Dec. 16.
Since the water-based improvements don’t represent the majority of the project, the city wants to get moving on upland portions — the new playground, restroom facility, pavilions and expanded parking. The bid package will include a line item for the boat ramp extension, pier and waterfront work to give the city cost estimates, but those portions won’t move forward until federal permits are approved.
The park currently has 178 parking spaces. The renovation will retain 60 existing spaces and add 126 new spaces — 54 for boat trailers, 69 regular spots and three handicap spaces. The design also calls for extended launch lanes, dock extensions, a new playground, restroom building and pavilions.
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GAMES
WordroW: November 4, 2025
Can you guess today’s 5-letter word in six tries?
WordroW is Get The Coast’s daily word puzzle featuring local words, places, and phrases from our community. You have six guesses to find the mystery word – green letters are correct and in the right spot, yellow letters are in the word but wrong position, and gray letters aren’t in the word at all.
POLITICS
Rep. Maney returns to Tallahassee for committee weeks, files three bills ahead of 2026 session
State Rep. Patt Maney returned to the Capitol in October for two committee weeks following a brief break after the 105-day extended 2025 regular legislative session.
During the October committee weeks, the Florida House officially designated Rep. Sam Garrison as the next speaker of the house to follow current Speaker Daniel Perez for the 2026-2028 term.
“I had just enough time to jet around Okaloosa, give this year’s legislative updates, and get back to Tallahassee in time to kick off the 2026 legislative season,” Maney said. “This will be my 6th session in our Florida House and, by Jove, I’m excited! My heartfelt congratulations to the new Speaker-Designate Sam Garrison, a man of honor I’m proud to call my friend. He’s sure to lead the House with distinction and strength next term.”
Maney has filed three bills with more expected in the coming weeks.
- HB 139, which has a companion bill from Sen. Gaetz, would establish guidelines and additional protection for state employees who report misconduct while providing penalties for individuals who purposely report false claims.
- HB 177 would expand flexibility for the offices of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel when handling capital cases and ensure representation for defendants.
- HB 199, also with a companion bill from Sen. Gaetz, would realign veterans treatment courts with other problem-solving courts such as mental health courts and drug courts. Veterans treatment courts were codified in Florida statute in 2012.
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GIVING BACK
Bloody Mary festival raises $28,000 for Habitat for Humanity in Walton County
The Market Shops’ 10th Annual Bloody Mary Festival raised $28,000 for Habitat for Humanity – Walton County at the sold-out event held Oct. 11.
- More than 800 attendees sampled Bloody Mary creations from 18 local restaurants, bars and a grocery store, all made with Distillery 98’s Half Shell Vodka. The event, powered by Step One Automotive Group, transformed the shopping center into a festival venue with tomato-themed balloon décor in the courtyard and grand lawn.
Guests voted for the People’s Choice Awards, with results tabulated by Hill Coleman, CPA. Café Nola took first place, Down Island earned second and The Gulf Club placed third. A panel of food critics and regional media selected The Perfect Pig for the Judge’s Choice Award and Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa for Best Accoutrement. Local artist Maxine Orange created all the awards.
Since its inception, the festival has raised over $278,600 for local charities. Habitat for Humanity – Walton County has been the beneficiary for the past eight years.
The money raised through ticket sales, donations and sponsorship will support Habitat for Humanity – Walton County’s efforts to build and provide homes for working families in the area.
SHOP
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Whether you’re layering up for cooler mornings or need sun protection for those fall afternoons, there’s a style that fits how you live on the coast.
SCHOOL
Niceville High School students earn prestigious AP Capstone awards
Three Niceville High School students have earned the prestigious AP Capstone Award during the 2024-25 school year, joining thousands of students worldwide who completed the rigorous College Board program.
- Hannahlaura Schuchhardt, Brooke Arbic and Jessica Berry achieved the recognition through the AP Capstone Diploma program, a project-based learning experience that develops critical thinking, research, collaboration and presentation skills. Schuchhardt and Berry are recent graduates, while Arbic is a current student.
The program is offered in over 3,500 schools worldwide. This year, approximately 27,650 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, while 12,430 earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
“We are so proud of our students and the dedication they’ve shown throughout the AP Capstone program,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said. “It’s inspiring to see them explore topics they’re passionate about and develop skills that will help them succeed in college and beyond.”
BUSINESS
Williams International breaks ground on billion-dollar Okaloosa County facility
Williams International broke ground Thursday on the first phase of its $1.04 billion manufacturing facility in Okaloosa County, the largest investment in Northwest Florida history.
- Lt. Gov. Jay Collins joined state and local leaders at Shoal River Industrial Park for the 11:30 a.m. ceremony, where the Michigan-based aerospace manufacturer began construction on a 250,000-square-foot facility scheduled for completion in late 2026.
“A billion-dollar enterprise right up here in northwest Florida,” Collins said. “Freedom, innovation, opportunity intersect at junctions just like this.”
The project will create 336 high-technology jobs producing aviation gas turbine engines across three construction phases spanning more than a decade. The facility, which Williams International will call Module 8, represents the company’s expansion into Northwest Florida after a comprehensive multi-state search that began in 2023.
“Williams International is the world leader in gas turbine engines,” said John Sordyl, senior vice president of Williams International. “We’re hands-on, we’re hardware oriented, and we pride ourselves in making things right here in the United States.”
Williams International, headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan, designs, manufactures and supports aviation gas turbine engines for commercial and military applications.
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