Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office

05/05/2026

Join the 2026 Honoring Our Heroes Career Fair on Wednesday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Santa Rosa County Auditorium in Milton. Open to all job seekers, this free event connects military members, veterans, spouses, dependents, and the community with dozens of employers offering real opportunities — and even possible on-the-spot interviews.

Bring your resume, polish your elevator pitch, and come ready to make connections that could lead to your next job.

Register today at http://careersourceescarosa.com/.

04/08/2026

Today, Wednesday, Apr. 8, Santa Rosa County celebrated the groundbreaking for the Milton Interchange Park Wastewater Treatment Plant - an important step forward in delivering critical infrastructure improvements to the East Milton area.

“Today marks a new beginning for Santa Rosa County as we step outside our comfort zone and take charge of our future," said Commissioner Kerry Smith, District 2. "For years, wastewater capacity has been a limiting factor to growth and economic opportunity in East Milton and across our county. By taking action, we have not only solved a critical infrastructure challenge but also opened the door to new jobs, new businesses, and a stronger local economy. This project represents more than pipes and pumps—it is a commitment to investing in our people, our environment, and the prosperity of future generations. It truly is a great day for East Milton and Santa Rosa County.”

This new on-site facility will support the growing Milton Interchange Park with advanced wastewater treatment capabilities. Originally designed as a 250,000-gallon-per-day plant, the project has been expanded to a 500,000-gallon-per-day startup capacity.

The upgraded design will:
Produce reclaimed water for irrigation and industrial use within the park
Route any unused reclaimed water to an on-site infiltration wetland
Incorporate a geosynthetic liner to help absorb PFAS

“The construction of this facility represents the vision and proactive mindset of Santa Rosa County and the Board of Commissioners," said Commissioner Colten Wright, Chairman and District 5. "Having our own wastewater treatment plant will support continued economic growth and help bring quality jobs to our community. This project also demonstrates our commitment to the most environmentally friendly technology and sets a new standard for wastewater management in the Florida Panhandle.”

Design services were provided by Jacobs Engineering, with construction awarded to Wharton-Smith. The Milton Interchange Park enterprise fund is paying the $30.2 million project loan. The design cost was $988,650, paid from the general fund. For more information about this capital project, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/MiltonWWTP.

02/05/2026

On behalf of the Florida SBDC at UWF, the Santa Rosa Economic Development Office is excited to share an upcoming free workshop taking place right here at our office:

Navigating Government Contracting, Featuring Christa Wilson, Associate Director with the Florida APEX Accelerator at UWF

Wednesday, February 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Santa Rosa Economic Development, 6491 Caroline Street, Suite 4 in Milton.

Get the "lowdown" on navigating the world of small business government contracting at our Florida APEX Accelerator workshop at the Santa Rosa Economic Development Office on February 18th. Learn about getting registered with the System for Award Management (SAM), common "set asides," and how to navigate the procurement process at all levels of government.

Reserve your spot now for this free and informative workshop online at tinyurl.com/govt-contracting-101.

Contact us at [email protected] or 850-474-2528 with questions.

01/28/2026

Last Wednesday, Jan. 21, the Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office proudly joined Buffalo Rock to celebrate the grand opening of its new Santa Rosa Campus, a 352,800-square-foot, state-of-the-art distribution and office facility serving the company’s Gulf Coast operations.
Located on 47 acres at the Northwest Florida Industrial Park @ I-10, the campus will serve as Buffalo Rock’s central Gulf Coast distribution hub, supporting Dothan, Mobile, Pensacola and Panama City. This major investment brings 150–200 new jobs to Santa Rosa County while relocating 200 positions from other areas.

First announced in 2023, Buffalo Rock’s expansion reflects the county’s continued growth as a destination for industry and opportunity. Founded more than 122 years ago, Buffalo Rock is the nation’s largest single-family-owned Pepsi and Dr Pepper bottler, serving millions across the Southeast.

Welcome to Santa Rosa County, Buffalo Rock—we’re proud to have you here!

09/30/2025

Santa Rosa County EDO was proud to join the Board of County Commissioners and Leonardo Helicopters in celebrating the official grand opening of its new Florida Support Center on September 18 at Whiting Aviation Park in Santa Rosa County. 🚁

Located adjacent to Naval Air Station Whiting Field (NASWF), the new facility is purpose-built to deliver maintenance, logistics, and sustainment support for the U.S. Navy's fleet of TH-73A training helicopters. This investment is expected to create skilled jobs, bolster the regional aerospace supply chain, and enhance vertical lift readiness for years to come.

08/22/2025

In late May, Santa Rosa County hosted military leaders, community stakeholders, and members of Congress for a fast-moving, forward-looking discussion on the future of national defense—and Northwest Florida’s role in it.

From Air Force testing and Navy training to special operations and economic impact, the 2025 Military Base Update brought together the voices that shape strategy and sustain readiness.

🎙 Hear from leaders like Rep. John Carter, Kay Rasmussen, Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro, and more in this short highlight reel from the event.

🎥 Watch the video ⬇

On May 29, 2025, Santa Rosa County hosted a powerful forum on the future of national defense and the critical role Northwest Florida plays in military readin...

08/14/2025

2025 Honoring Our Heroes Career HAPPENING NOW until 1 p.m. Meet face-to-face with a wide range of employers, from healthcare and corrections to tech, manufacturing, education, and more!

Let’s get to work, Santa Rosa! 💼

08/11/2025

Don't forget to register for the Starting a Small Business Workshop hosted on Wednesday, August 13, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office, 6491 Caroline St., Suite 4, in Milton.

This three-hour workshop will take a deep dive into several aspects of starting a small business! Register online today at https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/starting-a-business-milton-5a1eVO9efor/overview. Contact us at [email protected] or 850-474-2528 with questions.

08/11/2025

🚨 Just a Few Days Away! 🚨
The 2025 Honoring Our Heroes Career Fair is happening this Thursday, August 14 — and you won’t want to miss it!

🎯 Open to all job seekers, but military veterans, new retirees, and spouses are encouraged to stop by early, between 9 - 10 a.m., to chat with potential employers.

Meet face-to-face with a wide range of employers, from healthcare and corrections to tech, manufacturing, education, and more!
📅 Thursday, August 14
🕙 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 Santa Rosa County Auditorium - 4530 Spikes Way, Milton

✅ Pre-register online at https://careersourceescarosa.formstack.com/forms/business_services_off_site_event_sign_in_form or scan the QR code in the video. Walk-ins welcome!

Let’s get to work, Santa Rosa! 💼

08/04/2025

So you've got that business idea. You may not know the first steps, or you may want some guidance on if you're taking the right steps. Let's work with the ideas that have been forming in your head and see if we can make them into a tangible, feasible small business. Attend the Starting a Small Business Workshop hosted on Wednesday, August 13, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office, 6491 Caroline St., Suite 4, in Milton.

In this three-hour workshop, we'll take a deep dive into the following aspects of setting up a successful business:

-Is there a need for your product or service?
-Can you make money with it?
-Are you the right person to bring this to market?
-Is this business compatible with your personal goals?
-What rules, laws, and licensing apply to your business?
-What are funding options for your business?
-What about marketing strategies, legal structures, and taxation?
-What are your available resources?

Also, after attending this workshop, you'll have access to a Florida SBDC Business Consultant to assist you at no cost as you create your business plan and move toward your goals. Register online at https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/starting-a-business-milton-5a1eVO9efor/overview. Contact us at [email protected] or 850-474-2528 with questions.