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Commissioners approve 30-year lease at Okeechobee County Airport for AMS Okeechobee LLC
Summary
The board authorized a 30-year lease for Lot 42 at Okeechobee County Airport Commerce Park to AMS Okeechobee LLC for a full-service aircraft maintenance hangar, with a monthly rent of $2,739.05, 3.5% annual increases and two 10-year renewal options; the motion passed unanimously.
The Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 18 to approve a 30-year lease of Lot 42 at the Okeechobee County Airport Commerce Park to AMS Okeechobee LLC.
County staff presented the proposed Airport Land and Lease Agreement, which begins Dec. 18, 2025, runs through Dec. 17, 2055, carries a monthly rent of $2,739.05 with annual increases capped at 3.5%, and includes two additional renewal options of 10 years each. The lease authorizes construction of a full-service aircraft maintenance facility on the site.
John Stinson, speaking for AMS Okeechobee, told commissioners the firm has operated at a private hangar in Okeechobee for more than a year and sees the new facility as an extension of services it now provides in Palm Beach County. "We've been in business for 36, almost 37 years... we're excited about the opportunities in Okeechobee and the airport and the growth and just great potential," Stinson said. Partner Chad Kennedy said the company has already hired two mechanics for the area and plans to expand service across Central Florida.
The county administrator's office summarized economic-development support and noted coordination with the Economic Development Corporation; Alex Tijerina, the EDC's director of existing industry, said the agency has been helping AMS with financing and is exploring additional opportunities, including with Space Florida.
After questions from commissioners about whether AMS would retain its current hangar (the company said likely not once the new facility is built) and assurances about local benefits and job creation, Commissioner Goodbread moved to approve the lease and Commissioner Burrows seconded. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
The approved lease is intended to expand local aviation maintenance capacity and to generate lease revenue for the county while supporting airport-driven economic development. County staff said they will return final, executed documents for administrative completion.
