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Pensacola region sees surge in industrial development as aerospace companies, manufacturers choose Northwest Florida for expansion projects
A commercial construction boom is underway in Northwest Florida as aerospace companies and manufacturers increasingly choose the region for major facility investments, according to industry leaders tracking the market’s transformation.
Kelvin Enfinger Jr., Vice President of Greenhut Construction and immediate past chair of ABC Florida, says his firm’s recent project completions and upcoming developments reflect broader economic shifts positioning Northwest Florida as an emerging industrial hub.
“We’re seeing a tremendous amount of growth in the aerospace sector, as well as just some variety of different industries from manufacturing, light manufacturing, as well as distribution,” Enfinger said in a recent interview.
Major Projects Signal Regional Growth
Greenhut Construction recently completed the Leonardo MRO hangar facility, a project that attracted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to its ribbon-cutting ceremony. The facility created numerous jobs and brought new opportunities to Santa Rosa County, contributing to the region’s aerospace sector expansion.
The National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) recognized both the Leonardo project and Greenhut’s GE Vernova facility renovation with awards, highlighting the quality and significance of industrial development in the area.
The GE Vernova project transformed a 60-year-old facility into modern Class A office space, demonstrating how established industrial sites are being upgraded to meet contemporary business needs.
New projects starting in early 2026 include Gulf Winds Credit Union’s headquarters in Pensacola and a laboratory facility at the University of West Florida, indicating continued momentum in commercial construction activity.
Economic Development Success
Regional economic development organizations have successfully attracted new businesses to Northwest Florida, leveraging the area’s combination of available industrial land, infrastructure capacity, and quality-of-life advantages.
“Our economic development alliances throughout Northwest Florida are doing a terrific job of attracting new business and new talent into our community,” Enfinger noted. “We have a lot of land in Northwest Florida. We have a lot of opportunity and it’s a great place to live.”
The region’s Gulf Coast beaches and vibrant communities provide lifestyle amenities that help companies recruit and retain employees—an increasingly important factor as businesses compete for skilled workers in tight labor markets.
Data Center Demand Creates New Opportunities
While artificial intelligence continues reshaping various industries, the technology is creating significant demand for data center construction nationwide. This infrastructure expansion is generating new opportunities for construction firms and workers across the country, including in Northwest Florida.
“We are seeing an increase in data center construction across the US,” Enfinger observed. “That is creating new jobs and new opportunities for contractors and for workers.”
The data center boom is intensifying demand for skilled construction workers, making regions with available labor pools and industrial-zoned land increasingly attractive to technology infrastructure developers.
Workforce Challenges Persist
Despite positive growth trends, the construction industry faces ongoing workforce challenges that affect project costs and timelines. Competition among contractors for skilled workers in trades like electrical, plumbing, and HVAC continues to drive up labor costs.
“Workforce shortage equates to higher construction costs. It’s directly connected to that,” Enfinger explained, noting that labor scarcity represents a significant cost factor alongside material prices and other expenses.
ABC Florida, the state’s largest commercial construction association, is addressing workforce needs through apprenticeship programs and partnerships with technical colleges. The organization operates as the largest private apprenticeship provider in Florida.
ABC North Florida has established a dedicated classroom at Lively Technical College and is expanding partnerships with educational institutions throughout the region to create pathways from training programs to construction careers.
Market Fundamentals
Several factors support Northwest Florida’s industrial and commercial real estate growth trajectory. The region maintains significant available industrial park acreage, avoiding the supply constraints affecting many southeastern markets. Infrastructure capacity has kept pace with development demand, and the area’s lower cost of living compared to major metropolitan areas aids workforce recruitment.
Economic diversity is expanding beyond traditional sectors, with aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and distribution operations choosing the region for facility locations and expansions.
Industry observers note that Northwest Florida’s combination of available land, infrastructure capacity, workforce development initiatives, and lifestyle amenities positions the region competitively for continued commercial and industrial growth in coming years.
As businesses evaluate expansion and relocation options, the Florida Panhandle’s Gulf Coast communities are increasingly appearing on site selection shortlists for projects ranging from aerospace facilities to advanced manufacturing operations and technology infrastructure.
