BROOKSVILLE — Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport will get $13.6 million from the federal government and $750,000 from the state to convert an inactive runway into a working taxiway, extend utilities across the airfield and prepare about 600 acres for private development.
The County Commission marked the state appropriation July 14, with one of those oversized novelty checks. The county can’t take it to the bank, but the prop stood in for months of lobbying in Tallahassee. A day later, the county’s economic development office announced the far larger federal award.
“These funds will be used to rehabilitate the airport’s inactive runway into an active taxiway and extend water and sewer utilities across the airport’s infield,” according to agenda documents. “Together, these critical infrastructure improvements will create development-ready sites capable of attracting new aviation, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and other high-value economic development projects.”
The state money will help cover the local match, reducing the share borne by county taxpayers.
Officials credited economic development director Valerie Pianta, airport manager Steve Miller and other county staff, along with state Rep. Jeff Holcomb, state Sen. Ralph Massullo and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis. Dominique Holmes, director of communications and government affairs, also credited state Rep. Samantha Scott with keeping the money in the state budget.
Gov. Ron DeSantis left the appropriation intact, one official noted, after striking a long list of other projects from the budget.
Holcomb said the applications were numerous and the competition stiff.
“I think this is a great project and I’m very excited about what we can do with the airport,” he said.
Commission Chairman Jerry Campbell said the grant showed the value of advocacy in the state capital and the opportunities it creates for local businesses.
Aviation grant
The federal money comes from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration and will pay for roads, drainage, utilities, electrical service and other work needed to ready roughly 600 acres of airport property for private investment, the county’s economic development office said in a news release July 15. The county says the sites will appeal to aviation and aerospace companies that want direct airfield access and room to expand.
Hernando’s award is part of $27 million in disaster supplemental funding the EDA is directing to projects in five states.
The first phase will convert a 5,000-foot former runway into a taxiway able to handle aircraft as large as wide-bodies, creating room for aircraft parking, maintenance and hangars while opening adjacent parcels for development.
The grant follows a $3 million state job growth award to Pasco-Hernando State College to start an airframe and powerplant mechanic training program at its planned campus at the airport.
“These investments represent far more than infrastructure improvements,” Pianta said. “They represent a long-term commitment to building an aviation ecosystem where businesses have the facilities they need, the workforce they require, and the confidence to invest for decades to come.”
Canceled plans
A Hernando County manufacturer has scrapped plans to expand and hire and is returning a job growth incentive grant.Delamere Industries asked the commission to cancel the agreement but left open the possibility of a future incentive deal. The item was on the consent agenda, which passed 4-0.
Also on the consent agenda was an item canceling a $3,500 payment to Community Marketing & Events, which had applied for money through the Tourist Development Council’s special event grant program. The council reviewed and approved the application, and commissioners awarded the funding April 14.
The grant was for the Hernando Blueberry Festival, promoted by Cheryl Taylor. According to the news website RNews, Taylor is a convicted felon on probation until 2032 after serving six years of an eight-year sentence for fraud in Pinellas County. She was ordered to serve 15 years of probation and pay nearly $8 million in restitution.
In other action
Former County Commissioner Brian Hawkins was recognized for his service and for helping lay the groundwork for the airport grant. Hawkins resigned to run for the state House.
Photos by VINCENT F. SAFUTO/Hernando Today
HT-HCC1-07222026 -- Delamere Industries asked the County Commission to cancel its job growth incentive agreement but left open the possibility of a future deal. Its facility is shown July 13.
HT-HCC2-07222026 -- The $750,000 check represents lobbying by county staff and the area’s legislative delegation on behalf of Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport.
HT-HCC3-07222026 – State Rep. Jeff Holcomb spoke about the process of getting the grant.
HT-HCC4-07222026 – The Hernando County Commission met July 14.
HT-HCC5-07222026 – Former County Commissioner Brian Hawkins was recognized for his service to the county. He resigned to run for the state house.