Grant ProgramAviation and Spaceports Office

 

Aviation Grant Program Overview

Pursuant to Chapter 332, FS, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Aviation Office developed the Aviation Grant Program to provide for a safe, cost-effective, and efficient statewide aviation transportation system. The Aviation Grant Program provides financial assistance to Florida’s airports in the areas of safety, security, preservation, capacity improvement, land acquisition, planning, and economic development. Program funds assist local governments and airport authorities in planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining public-use aviation facilities.

The Aviation Grant Program is funded from the State Transportation Trust Fund. Florida’s aviation industry is a contributor to this fund through the state’s aviation fuel tax. Pursuant to Section 206.9825, FS, an excise tax is applied to aviation fuels at a rate of 4.27 cents per gallon. This aviation fuel tax is not tied to the inflation index and therefore will remain at its current rate until changed by legislative action.

You may contact the Aviation Program Manager for additional information. You may find additional guidance in the  Florida Aviation Project Handbook 2022-2023.

Airport Project Funding

Commercial Service Airports
Pursuant to Chapter 332, FS, FDOT may provide up to 50 percent of the portion of eligible commercial service airport project costs when federal funding is available. For example, FDOT may provide up to 5 percent of project costs when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides 90 percent funding. When no federal funding is available, FDOT may provide up to 50 percent of the portion of eligible commercial service airport project costs.

General Aviation Airports
Pursuant to Chapter 332, FS, FDOT may provide up to 80 percent of the portion of eligible general aviation airport project costs when federal funding is available. For example, FDOT may provide up to 8 percent of project costs when the FAA provides 90 percent funding. When no federal funding is available, FDOT may provide up to 80 percent of the portion of eligible general aviation airport project costs.

Economic Development
Pursuant to Section 332.003 – 332.007, FS, FDOT may provide up to 50 percent of the costs to build on-airport revenue-producing capital improvements. One example of an economic development project is industrial park facilities at a general aviation airport.

Strategic Airport Investment Projects

Pursuant to Section 332.007(9), FS, FDOT may provide up to 100 percent funding for commercial and general aviation airport projects that meet the following criteria:

  • Provide important access and on-airport capacity improvements;
  • Provide capital improvements to strategically position the state to maximize opportunities in international trade, logistics, and the aviation industry;
  • Achieve state goals of an integrated intermodal transportation system; and
  • Demonstrate the feasibility and availability of matching funds through federal, local, or private partners.

You may contact the Aviation Program Manager for additional information. You may find additional guidance in the Florida Aviation Project Handbook 2022-2023.

Statewide Project Funding

The FDOT Aviation Office conducts statewide studies and provides statewide guidance on a number of topics that are related to Florida’s public airports. Pursuant to Section 332.006(1), FS, FDOT may provide up to 100 percent of project cost if that project is statewide in scope or involves more than one county where no other governmental entity or appropriate jurisdiction exists. Many of these studies and guidebooks are conducted to update portions of the Florida Aviation System Plan. Other projects and studies, such as the Statewide Aviation Economic Impact Study, are designed to help demonstrate the impact that Florida’s public airports have on their local community, the region, and the state as a whole. Pursuant to Section 332.007(1), FS, FDOT is authorized to receive federal grants for these statewide projects when no local sponsor is available.

You may contact the Aviation Program Administrator for additional information.

Florida Aviation Project Handbook

Pursuant to Section 332.003 – 332.007, FS, the Florida Aviation Project Handbook was developed for FDOT aviation officials and Florida airport personnel to better understand funding options and resources at the state level. The Handbook was also designed to further the aviation mission of Florida’s public-use airports as it relates to funding aviation projects in Florida. The Handbook provides details on the Florida Aviation Grant Program, the Strategic Intermodal System, and several other possible funding mechanisms. The Handbook does not, however, provide guidance on seeking federal or local funds.

You may contact the Aviation Program Manager for additional information, or you may download the Florida Aviation Project Handbook 2022-2023

Other Airport Project Funding Resources
In addition to the FDOT Aviation Grant Program, airports in the state have other project funding resources.

Rural Economic Development Initiative
Pursuant to Section 288.0656, FS, a county or community seeking funding through the Rural Economic Development Initiative must meet two qualifications. First, the county or community must meet the statutory definition of “rural” noted in Section 288.0656 (2)(e), FS, to be eligible for a waiver or reduction of match requirements. Second, the eligible county or community must also have three or more of the “economic distress” conditions identified in Section 288.0656 (2)(c), FS.

You may contact the Aviation Program Manager for additional information.

State-Funded Infrastructure Bank

Pursuant to Section 339.55, FS, the State-Funded Infrastructure Bank (SIB) is a revolving loan and credit enhancement program consisting of two separate accounts and is used to leverage funds to improve project feasibility. The SIB can provide loans and other assistance to public or private entities carrying out or proposing to carry out projects eligible for assistance under federal and state law. The SIB cannot provide assistance in the form of a grant.

You may contact the Aviation Program Manager for additional information.

Strategic Intermodal System

Pursuant to Section 339.61, FS, the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) marks a fundamental shift in the way Florida views the development of and investment in its transportation system. The SIS is composed of transportation facilities and services of statewide and interregional significance. It represents an effort to link Florida’s transportation policies and investments to the state’s economic development strategy, in keeping with the Governor’s strategic imperative of diversifying Florida’s economy.

You may contact the Aviation Program Manager for additional information. You may also visit the FDOT SIS website.

Transportation Regional Incentive Program

Pursuant to Section 339.2819, FS, the Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) was created to provide an incentive for regional planning, to leverage investments in regionally significant transportation facilities (roads and public transportation) created pursuant to Section 339.155, FS, and link investments to growth management objectives. TRIP was created with the intent of funding projects that will generate additional capacity through growth in the transportation program. All proposed projects will be evaluated in light of this policy.

You may contact the Aviation Program Manager for additional information.

Permitted and Prohibited Uses of Airport Revenue

The FAA Airport Compliance Manual – Order 5190.6B, discusses the airport sponsor’s use of airport revenue. Revenue diversion is the use of airport revenue for purposes other than airport capital or operating costs. Prohibited uses of airport revenue are discussed in Paragraph 15.13 and include direct or indirect payments that exceed the fair and reasonable value of those services and facilities provided to the airport.

You may contact the Aviation Program Manager for additional information.