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THE OKALOOSA-CRESTVIEW
ENTERPRISE ZONE
(EZ-4601)

Qualified Industries  l  Incentives 

An Enterprise Zone is a specified geographic area targeted for economic revitalization.  State granted enterprise zones encourage economic growth and investment in distressed areas by offering state tax advantages and incentives to businesses locating or expanding within the zone boundaries while also providing jobs. 

The goal is to retain our current businesses, help them grow, provide jobs to lower income families, and increase the median pay scale.

In order to assist Okaloosa County, its residents, and the private sector in productive business enterprises, the EDC applied to the Governor's office for this state economic designation in January 2002 and was awarded the zone.   In November 2005, the EDC submitted an application for the re-designation of the Enterprise Zone and was awarded a term of up through December 31, 2015.  In the summer of 2011, the EDC partnered with the City of Crestview and Okaloosa County to expand the zone for additional opportunities.

The Okaloosa-Crestview Enterprise Zone is approximately 4 square miles located in the northern section of Okaloosa County, half in the City of Crestview, half in unincorporated Okaloosa County.

You may view detail of the Enterprise Zone on Okaloosa County's GIS map: http://webgis.co.okaloosa.fl.us/website/okaloosagis/viewer.htm
Under the Layers tab on the right hand side click Enterprise Zone under Local Planning then click Refresh Map. 
You can zoom in and out of the map's view for enhanced views.

The Enterprise Zone program operates at both the state and federal levels.  The Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development (OTTED) administers the Florida Enterprise Zone Program.    OTTED is responsible for overseeing the activities of the local enterprise zones and providing them with technical assistance and information.  Enterprise Florida works with OTTED in developing zone approval guidelines and determining which communities would qualify for a zone designation.

At the local level an enterprise zone is managed by an Enterprise Zone Development Agency.  This agency oversees the implementation of the strategic plan. The Enterprise Zone Development Agency’s targeted area for business growth and employment includes the Okaloosa County Industrial Airpark located within the four square mile zone.

Okaloosa-Crestview EZone Qualified Industries:

• Aviation/Aerospace
• Electronics Design/Manufacturing
• Information Technology
• Metal Fabrication & Machining 

These qualified targeted STEM industries are economic generators for the area and are sustainable in Okaloosa County.  They provide high wages and are considered to be growth industries. Growth industries stimulate the local economy by increasing the direct and indirect impact on other businesses in the area.

Financial incentives through the state are offered to encourage private investment as well as employment opportunities for the area’s residents. For businesses to be eligible for these financial incentives they must be located inside the designated zone area and must hire a percentage of full-time employees who are residents of the zoned area. The Okaloosa County Enterprise Zone is located in the northeastern region of the County in the City of Crestview east of Highway 85.

State Incentives Available to Qualified Businesses:

Contact the EDC for information and/or assistance with these incentives.

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