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County backs $13.6 million EDA application to build infrastructure at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport
Summary
The board approved a county application for Economic Development Administration funding to construct runway/taxiway improvements, add water/sewer to the infield and build an alternate access road; county would provide a 20% match drawn from state FDOT funds and county incentive reserves.
The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 9 approved staff to submit an Economic Development Administration (EDA) disaster-recovery grant application seeking $13.6 million to build infrastructure at the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport.
The project, as presented by Economic Development Director Valerie Piante, would rehabilitate an inactive runway to a taxiway, add water and sanitary sewer to the infield, build stormwater retention and create an alternate access road designed to attract aviation and industrial investment in and near the airport—usiness corridor.
Funding plan: The EDA request totals $13,600,000 and the county proposed a 20% match comprised of $1.6 million already budgeted in the county—conomic development incentive fund plus $1.8 million in prior FDOT funding set aside at the airport. Director Piante said the county would leverage the $1.6 million in local funds to draw down the larger federal investment.
Board action: The board approved staff's recommendation to move forward with the EDA application by voice vote. Administrator Jeff Rogers and staff said the EDA requires an economic-impact analysis; the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council has prepared analysis that estimates job creation and increased taxable value that the county will include in the application.
Why it matters: Staff identified two companies considering major expansions in Hernando County and provided letters from prospective investors indicating the need for airport infrastructure improvements to locate or expand in the county. The project is framed as long-term economic development to create jobs and taxable value in a targeted industrial area.
Next steps: Staff will submit the EDA grant application and return to the board if the EDA advances the project to the award stage; any final obligation of county match or acceptance of funds will come to the board for approval.
