Keystone Heights, Florida / A new horizon
THE NEXT FRONTIER.
BUILT TOGETHER.
A proposed dual-use campus where autonomous systems and advanced aviation can move from research to testing, training, manufacturing, and real-world application.
MORE THAN A PLACE. A PATH FORWARD.
BIG IDEAS.
REAL-WORLD possibility.
The next breakthrough doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes people, infrastructure, and the room to put an idea to the test.
Keystone Heights Innovation & Defense Campus is a proposed dual-use innovation and defense ecosystem designed to connect research, prototyping, testing and training, commercialization, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development in one continuous cycle.
NOT JUST SPACE.
A working ecosystem.
The vision brings the places where ideas are developed closer to where they could be flown, tested, trained, validated, and prepared for production.
Research & collaboration.
A proposed meeting point for researchers, technical teams, and industry. Shared questions become practical work through applied research and knowledge exchange.
- Applied research environments
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration
- Knowledge into application
Silicon Beach campus concept artwork. Numbered areas illustrate possible connections, not assigned building uses. Not a surveyed site plan, approved design, or representation of completed facilities.
FOUR DISCIPLINES.
One continuous journey.
Purpose-built connections across the innovation lifecycle. The campus vision is organized around what teams need to move forward.
01Research
Turn important questions into applied knowledge. Bring researchers, technical talent, and industry together around real-world challenges.
DISCOVER / EXPLORE / UNDERSTAND02Development
Move from promising idea to working prototype. Create room for teams to design, integrate, refine, and learn together.
DESIGN / PROTOTYPE / ITERATE03Testing
Build a path to repeatable, responsible validation. Planned testing activities would be shaped by operational requirements, safety procedures, and applicable approvals.
TEST / LEARN / VALIDATE04Manufacturing
Connect what works to what can be made. Align facilities, production expertise, and technical talent with the needs of growing companies.
BUILD / REFINE / SCALEa place to become real.AI concept visualization · Planned environment
RESEARCH TO READINESS
LEARN. ADAPT.
Go further.
The ambition is an operating ecosystem, not simply a collection of buildings. A place where every test informs the next design—and every step is grounded in real needs.
While the larger campus advances through planning and approvals, initial concepts may include an Innovation Studio, partner programming, memberships, and proving-ground or testing activity under appropriate agreements and procedures.
- 01
Start with the mission.
Understand what innovators, operators, and manufacturers actually need.
- 02
Build the right conditions.
Shape infrastructure, technical environments, and workforce pathways around those requirements.
- 03
Keep the loop moving.
Connect testing, feedback, and development so useful knowledge travels with the technology.
BRING YOUR EXPERTISE.
THE RIGHT PEOPLE.
In the right place.
A place for companies, government, universities, investors, workforce leaders, and strategic collaborators. Each engagement path reflects a different role—not a claim of partnership or commitment.
Build or locate at KHIDC
Share your facility, manufacturing, flight, testing, or operational requirements.
Discuss your requirements 02 / GOVERNMENT & DEFENSETest and train at KHIDC
Explore mission-led testing, evaluation, training, and dual-use engagement.
Begin an engagement 03 / UNIVERSITIESPartner with KHIDC
Connect applied research, commercialization, and learning with industry needs.
Explore collaboration 04 / INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENTInvest or develop with us
Start a focused conversation about the proposed campus and long-term buildout.
Connect with the team 05 / WORKFORCEBuild a talent pathway
Align technical education and training with emerging industry requirements.
Explore workforce needsROOTED IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA
AIRPORT ACCESS.
A defense ecosystem.
The proposed campus is centered on Keystone Heights Airport and near Camp Blanding Joint Training Center. Together, the setting offers a distinctive foundation: an airport-based innovation and development environment connected to a broader regional defense and training ecosystem.
Locate Keystone Heights (opens in a new tab)KEYSTONE HEIGHTS AIRPORT / CAMP BLANDING REGIONIN THE NEWS
THE VISION,
in context.
Selected reporting on the proposed campus, its regional setting, and the work still ahead. External publishers may require a subscription.
Entrepreneur proposes a $1B drone manufacturing, testing hub in Keystone Heights
Read the coverage (opens in a new tab)FIRST COAST NEWS · JUL 22, 2026Proposed drone testing campus could bring jobs and military partnerships
Watch the report (opens in a new tab)JACKSONVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL · AUG 7, 2026Northeast Florida officials pursue defense-focused campus after decade-long effort
Read the coverage (opens in a new tab)A CLEARER PICTURE
GOOD QUESTIONS.
A place to start.
What is KHIDC?
Keystone Heights Innovation & Defense Campus is a proposed initiative organized by Silicon Beach Development, LLC. The vision connects research, development, testing, and manufacturing for autonomy, aerospace, and dual-use technologies serving commercial and defense applications.
Is the campus open today?
This website presents the campus vision, not an announcement of operational availability. Early activation concepts and the longer-term buildout remain subject to planning, agreements, procedures, and applicable approvals. Contact the project team for current information.
Who should get in touch?
Companies, government and defense organizations, universities, manufacturers, investors, developers, workforce organizations, and strategic collaborators with a practical interest in the campus vision. Start with your mission, goals, and requirements so the team can explore the fit.
Are these images of the actual site?
No. The films are AI-generated concept visualizations, and the campus diagram is illustrative. They express a design vision, not existing facilities, approved plans, or guaranteed future development.