Okaloosa County commissioners on Nov. 18 approved a series of development and transportation items tied to economic growth and safety improvements.

Development Services presented Bid Package 1 for Project Opal, the Williams International site, asking the board to award a contract for mass earth grading as the project's first phase. Jason Autry said the work is Triumph-funded and that Williams International is relocating staff to oversee the project; the board approved the bid award unanimously.

Separately, staff requested authority to pursue an amendment to the Triumph grant for the Southwest Crestview Bypass to use an estimated $12,000,000 of paired funds (70% Triumph, 30% county) on two adjacent projects: a signalized intersection at Pineview School to improve school access and an access road to a newly acquired public-works growth-management parcel (with a potential tie to Duggan Avenue and State Route 85). Autry said the county's 30% share could come from surtax funds or existing bond proceeds. Commissioners voiced strong support and the board authorized staff to request the Triumph amendment and proceed with the work, voting unanimously.

Why it matters: The Project Opal work prepares sites for a major employer and uses state Triumph funds to leverage county investment; the Pineview School signal aims to improve student and parent safety by providing a dedicated signalized access point.

What happens next: Staff will move forward on the mass-grading contract and prepare the Triumph amendment request for the Triumph board; if Triumph approves the amendment, the county will coordinate right-of-way, wetland and design matters and determine the county funding source for the 30% match.