Florida’s Hernando County has secured a $13.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to accelerate infrastructure improvements at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport (KBKV) that will pave the way for a transformation at the airport.
The grant will fund roads, drainage, utilities, electrical service, and other critical infrastructure needed to prepare approximately 600 acres of airport property for an aviation development funded by private investment, according to county officials.
The improvements will create shovel-ready sites for aviation and aerospace companies seeking direct airfield access and room to grow, officials added.
The project will support businesses such as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) operations, regional air cargo facilities, passenger-to-freight conversion centers, aerospace manufacturers, and other aircraft services, county officials noted.
The first phase of development will convert a 5,000-foot former runway into a taxiway capable of supporting wide-body aircraft operations. This will create aircraft parking, maintenance, and hangar space while opening adjacent development parcels for immediate investment, they added.
The federal investment follows another milestone for the airport. In June 2026, Pasco-Hernando State College received a $3 million Florida Job Growth Grant to establish an Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) training program at its planned campus at KBKV.
“These investments represent far more than infrastructure improvements,” said Valerie M. Pianta, Economic Development Director for Hernando County. “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.”
For more information: HernandoCounty.us, FlyBKV.com
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