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Walton County to sell remaining Mossyhead industrial-lot to Turus Technologies; EDA supports lease-versus-sale discussion
Summary
The county accepted a sealed bid for a 1.67-acre parcel in the Mossyhead Industrial Park and approved sale to local defense contractor Turus Technologies (Greg De La Rosa) after Economic Development Authority officials urged board members to consider leasing county industrial land in future deals to retain flexibility for economic development.
Walton County commissioners approved the sale of a 1.67-acre parcel in the Mossyhead Industrial Park to a local defense contractor after a sealed-bid process produced 1 responsive bid for $65,000. The purchaser introduced himself to the board as Greg De La Rosa of Turus Technologies.
Why it matters: The parcel is one of the last remaining industrial-ready lots in the Mossyhead park. The county and its Economic Development Authority (EDA) discussed the merits of selling versus leasing industrial land: a sale generates immediate proceeds and removes county ownership responsibilities but can limit the county’s ability to reclaim the site if development does not produce the intended economic benefits; a lease preserves county control and can include performance provisions.
What happened at the meeting County staff confirmed the sealed-bid process and presented the single responsive bid of $65,000. Uriah Matthews of the Walton County EDA told the board the bid represented a higher per-acre return than some prior sales but recommended county leadership continue to evaluate leasing as a tool in future economic development deals because leasing preserves county flexibility if projects fail to deliver promised benefits.
The buyer, Greg De La Rosa, said Turus Technologies currently provides support services to the 96th Test Wing and plans to expand into technology development and production; he said he hopes to locate manufacturing and technology work in Walton County.
Outcome The board approved the sale and directed staff to proceed with closing. Commissioners noted the EDA’s recommendation to consider leasing as an alternative for future county industrial property dispositions.
No zoning or permit actions were taken at the meeting; the transaction moves to closing and standard property conveyance steps.
