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Submittal of Application to Federal Economic Development Administration for FY 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant for Critical Infrastructure Construction Runway Conversion Project at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) released the Disaster Supplemental grant in June 2025.
This funding opportunity allows communities and regions to implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of construction projects in areas where a Presidential declaration of major disaster was issued in calendar years 2023 and 2024. During this time, Hernando County had declarations for Hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Milton and Helene.
Hernando County Economic Development is requesting funding for a standalone construction project to improve the economic trajectories beyond pre-disaster economic conditions. The requested funding would allow Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport (BKV) to resurface 4,480 linear feet of a decommissioned taxiway and extend water/sewer infrastructure enabling industrial growth across 195 acres infield and 228 acres of adjacent designated land.
Two industry companies have committed to expansion or new facilities with the project:
- Pem-Air Turbine Engine Services, LLC in the amount of $65,000,000 with an estimated 50 created jobs through an expansion of their onsite facilities.
- Judah 1, Inc., in the amount of $5,000,000 - $8,000,000 with an estimated 15-20 created jobs through the addition of an onsite facility.
The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) analyzed the economic impact of rehabilitating the deactivated runway and constructing supporting infield infrastructure with their Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN) model for the Tampa Bay Region. The analysis is attached.
The total project cost is $17,000,000, with $13,600,000 in EDA Disaster Supplemental Grant funds, Florida Department of Transportation Aviation Grant Program funding of $1,800,000 and County match of $1,600,000. The EDA Disaster Supplemental Grant is funded at 80%/20% Federal/County cost share, and the County is partially using the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) funds to assist with the County match.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are expended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding from FDOT available in:
Fund: 4311 - Airport/Industrial Park, Department: 34299 - AP-Runway Conversion, Account: 5666537 - CIP-AP Dsgn/Cnstr Txwys for $1,800,000.
The remainder of the match in the amount of $1,600,000 is budgeted in the FY26 budget in the following account:
Fund: 0011 - General Fund, Department: 01551 - Economic Incentive, Account: 5909985 - Budget Res-Ded Ind Dev for $1,600,000.
LEGAL NOTE
The Board is authorized to act on this matter pursuant to Chapter 125, Florida Statutes.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve the application to EDA for the Disaster Supplemental Grant Program and authorize the Chairman’s signature on the attached letter signifying the County’s intent to provide the required match with award.