What if one piece of land could create jobs, strengthen families, preserve a legacy, and create opportunities that last for generations?

The Ridge at Laurel Hill began with a simple belief—that land ownership has the power to change lives.

Decades ago, our grandfather, Vizell Robbins Sr., purchased this land after a lifetime of hard work and determination. As a former sharecropper, he understood that owning land wasn’t simply about property—it was about creating stability, opportunity, and hope for those who would come after him.

Today, that vision lives on through James Robbins Sr. and James Robbins Jr.

Together, father and son are transforming nearly 20 acres in rural North Okaloosa County into a destination unlike any other—one that blends eco-tourism, wellness, recreation, workforce housing, and community development into a place where families gather, businesses grow, and futures are built.

James Robbins Sr., a Service-Disabled Veteran and former Executive Director of the Okaloosa County Community Development Corporation, has spent decades helping families obtain affordable housing and creating economic opportunities throughout Northwest Florida. That lifetime of service now continues through a project that gives back to the very community he has dedicated his career to serving.

The Ridge at Laurel Hill will feature rustic cabins, a stocked fishing pond, walking trails, RV accommodations, event spaces, wellness experiences, and thoughtfully planned workforce housing—creating sustainable revenue while supporting local families, veterans, and visitors alike.

This isn’t simply another development.

It’s a place where people reconnect with nature.

Where families create memories.

Where veterans find peace.

Where local businesses grow.

Where future generations inherit something greater than what came before.We’ve already invested more than $106,000 of our own resources to begin making this vision a reality. Every contribution, partnership, and grant helps us move one step closer to opening a destination that serves our community for decades to come.

Help Build Something That Will Outlast Us

When you invest in The Ridge at Laurel Hill, you’re not just helping build cabins or trails.

You’re helping build opportunity.

You’re preserving a family’s legacy.

You’re investing in rural economic growth.

You’re creating a destination future generations will proudly call their own.

Together, we can transform one family’s dream into a lasting legacy for an entire community.