Keystone Heights Airport Authority details $14.9 million project pipeline, seeks state appropriations for turn lanes and sewer

David Kirkland, representing the Keystone Heights Airport Authority, briefed the Bradford County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 20 about past work, ongoing operations and a $14.9 million pipeline of projects planned for 2025–2031.

The authority’s presentation said the airport covers about 2,400 acres and the airfield itself is roughly 600 acres. Kirkland told the board the facility is “a potential catalyst for local and regional economic development” and described efforts now underway to win state appropriations for deceleration and turn lanes on State Road 100 at both airport entrances and for a water and sewer extension back to Airport Road.

Kirkland also reviewed funding sources that support airport projects, citing the Florida Aviation Grant Program through FDOT and the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program, funded by the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. He said the airport has attracted interest from aviation- and aerospace-related companies and is working with regional economic development partners to market property for commercial and light-industrial tenants.

“Our runways would accommodate charter flights,” Kirkland said when commissioners asked about short-distance commercial or charter service, and he emphasized training and workforce links: “We have actually a couple of different types of training going on. ... We have three certified flight instructors that have their own businesses, and they're training pilots for general aviation.”

Kirkland gave historical and economic context: the airport’s FAA id of 42J reflects a 1942 commission as a military airfield; he summarized recent investment, noting about $3.8 million in projects completed over the past three years and the larger $14.9 million program planned through the decade. He told the board the airport works to prioritize local contractors and generates hotel and restaurant business when longer-term crews are on site.

Commissioners pressed on long-term benefits for Bradford County. Kirkland said the new access road opens the west side of the airport to development and that FAA limits most leases to 20 years but can be negotiated for extensions. He also described existing training relationships with MHD Rockland and local schools and board members working to bring an aviation curriculum to area schools.

Kirkland announced two public events tied to the airport calendar: the Snowbird aerobatic competition, finishing on March 29 (weather permitting), and a centennial “spring fling” hosted by the city of Keystone Heights at the airport, scheduled for a Saturday in March from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with vendors, food trucks and live music.

Why this matters: commissioners said airport projects are likely to bring construction jobs and, if successful, longer-term payrolls to the county. Several commissioners and county staff agreed to continue working with the authority and regional partners to pursue appropriations and to support site infrastructure improvements if legislative funding can be secured.

Kirkland and county staff said the airport has ongoing discussions with interested companies about hangars and facilities, and the authority is pursuing grants and other funding options to reduce large upfront costs for potential tenants of the airport’s Douglas building and other properties.

Ending: Commissioners did not take formal action on any appropriation at the meeting; they received the update and asked staff to continue coordination with the Keystone Heights Airport Authority and regional economic development partners.