By GARETT VALCOURT
As Northwest Florida emerges as a rising force in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries, one local education leader is calling on Holmes County to seize the moment and secure its place in the region’s high-tech future.
During the June 3 meeting of the Holmes County Board of County Commissioners, Brittany Brown, Panhandle Regional Director for K-12 Education and Outreach at the Gaetz Aerospace Career Academy, proposed the creation of the Holmes County Aerospace Advancement Committee—a working group aimed at developing a long-term strategy to attract aerospace and advanced manufacturing investment to the county.
“Holmes County is perfectly positioned to be part of this story,” Brown told commissioners. “We’re right on I-10, offering direct access for transporting goods, equipment, and talent. As more aerospace companies look to expand their supply chains and find affordable, connected communities to grow in, I want Holmes County to raise its hand and say, ‘We’re ready.’”
Brown’s presentation emphasized Holmes County’s geographic and workforce advantages, including proximity to key military installations like Tyndall and Eglin Air Force Bases—both recently designated Florida spaceport territories—as well as access to I-10, a major corridor for transporting aerospace components. She noted that nearby counties have already made major strides: Okaloosa County is home to a $1 billion aerospace gas turbine facility, and Bay County recently landed a $100 million aviation investment.
Florida’s aerospace sector, Brown added, is booming. In 2024 alone, Space Florida reported 187 active projects totaling $6.8 billion. With the number of projected rocket launches expected to reach 156 in 2025, demand for parts, logistics, robotics, and skilled workers is rising sharply.
“The Space Coast may be where launches happen,” Brown said, “but the support and supply chain will stretch across the entire state. Holmes County has a unique opportunity to be a part of that if we plan now.”
Brown outlined ten core objectives for the proposed committee, including:
- Identifying key stakeholders across education, government, and business
- Mapping local assets (land, infrastructure, and workforce readiness)
- Reviewing policies and zoning for industry compatibility
- Hosting listening sessions with aerospace leaders
- Exploring grant funding and workforce development opportunities
- Conducting public outreach and awareness campaigns
- Evaluating potential industrial sites
- Benchmarking successful rural aerospace communities
- Developing a workforce pipeline strategy
- Drafting a multi-year strategic plan
“Our size allows us to work closely, pivot quickly, and truly partner with industries looking for a community ready to grow with them,” said Brown. “We’re not just connected—we’re invested.”
Brown, a mother and long-time advocate for STEM education, shared a personal reflection during her presentation.
“As a parent, I think about the future every single day. I look at my young daughter and wonder, when she grows up, will she have to leave Holmes County to find opportunity? Or will she be able to build a life, a career, and a future right here in the place that four generations before her have lived?”
She urged local leaders and community members to unite behind a shared vision that expands Holmes County’s economic base while honoring its legacy and people.
“This isn’t just about one company or one deal. It’s about creating a long-term path toward economic independence and opportunity,” she said. “It means more jobs—good jobs—right here at home. It means giving our kids the option to build their future without having to leave.”
The Board of County Commissioners responded positively to the presentation and is expected to explore next steps in the formation of the committee. Brown encouraged all community members—educators, business leaders, parents, and students—to get involved and help chart a course for Holmes County’s role in Florida’s aerospace future.
“Let’s align our goals, our ideas, and our resources,” Brown concluded. “Together, we can build a future where Holmes County isn’t just keeping up—we’re leading the way.”
Staff Report 