Eglin AFB EUL
Development Opportunity

The intended use of the parcel is a hotel/resort development that may provide services to a combination of active duty and reserve military service members and their guests, and the general population.  The Air Force is looking to the development community to determine a means of satisfying the intended use and maximizing payment to the Air Force, either in cash or in-kind consideration.  Developers are encouraged to consider all opportunities that are not explicitly restricted in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) or in Appendix L of the EUL Handbook.

The Destin/Okaloosa County area has been identified as the #2 tourist destination in the state of Florida.  Approximately 7 million visitors traveled to Northwest Florida in 2006 and of this 7 million, about 4.1 million stayed on the Emerald Coast.  The main attractions driving tourism traffic are the beach and waterfront activities.  The EUL parcel is well-situated to take advantage of the area’s existing strength in tourism, offering 595 linear feet of shoreline along Gulf of Mexico and nearby access to amenities including restaurants, shopping golf and water activities.  

The Okaloosa County economy provides a favorable backdrop for the thriving tourism industry.  Three military installations located in Okaloosa County – Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, and Duke Field– serve as economic generators for the area, with a combined economic impact of as much as $5 billion annually.        

The county features an educated, growing workforce to support ongoing growth in the tourism industry, which generated close to $800 million in revenues in 2006.  Revenues from tourism revenues have grown approximately 28% from 2000 to 2006.