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American Aviation to expand at Brooksville'Tampa Bay Regional Airport; EAA chapter told it must relocate from aging hangar
Summary
The county approved a multi-phased expansion plan and land-lease amendments for American Aviation, which will demolish an aging EAA hangar to open space for new corporate hangars. EAA chapter leaders urged the county to find replacement space and expressed concern about rent increases once the hangar is replaced.
Airport tenants and county officials told the Board of County Commissioners on April 8 that American Aviation, the fixed-base operator at Brooksville'Tampa Bay Regional Airport, will pursue a three-phase hangar expansion and requested county lease amendments to permit the work.
Why it matters: The airport owner and the county said the expansion would support jobs and capital investment at the airport but would require removal of an aging Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) hangar currently located on the property. EAA Chapter 1298 leaders appealed to the board to help them find alternate space on the field.
What the county presented: Economic development staff said American Aviation plans to add three new hangars and lease roughly six acres in phases through 2025'27, a project that would create an estimated 10 jobs averaging about $55,000 annually and involve roughly $3.6 million in private capital investment. The investment aims to accommodate larger aircraft and expand hangar-based services.
Why the EAA hangar matters: County staff and the airport manager said the EAA hangar is older than 50 years, needs substantial repairs and was appraised at a low value in 2022. County staff recommended not renewing the existing EAA lease when it expires in 2026 and instead making the parcel available for development. County staff and the airport manager said American Aviation has offered to demolish and rebuild a replacement hangar at no cost to the county and to give EAA a right of first refusal on an available hangar that meets the chapter's needs.
EAA concern: Bill Smith, secretary of EAA Chapter 1298, told commissioners the chapter has provided community education and public events for about 25 years and asked the county to help the chapter remain at the airfield. Smith said the chapter hosts Young Eagles flights, restoration activities and monthly public breakfasts and urged the board to help find a new hangar site. He said the EAA chapter operates as a nonprofit and pays reduced rent under an older lease.
County action: The board approved amendments to American Aviation's lease that will allow the company to lease approximately 6 acres in phases and to demolish the existing EAA building, with an agreement that American Aviation will construct replacement hangar space and that the EAA will have first option on a suitable hangar. A second vote approved a formal fifth amendment to American Aviation's lease to add the parcels; the motions passed unanimously.
What the board said: Commissioners said they valued the EAA's community role but also prioritized airport growth that brings jobs and capital investment. Several commissioners and staff said the county will work with EAA to find suitable replacement space and to move the chapter to a fair market lease for any new hangar. "We appreciate EAA; we'll work with them," a county official told the board.
Ending: The county approved the lease amendments and asked airport staff to continue working with EAA chapter leaders to identify replacement hangar space. American Aviation's multi-year expansion will proceed with county approval of the lease amendments and the company's commitment to fund demolition and new hangar construction.
