Whiting Aviation Park money diverted to Ian recovery. What that means for park's future?

Millions of dollars from the state originally slated to go toward local projects across Florida have been put in limbo after Gov. Ron DeSantis failed to release the funding by the Sept. 30 deadline.

In Santa Rosa County, that could set back plans for the Whiting Aviation Park by about a year.

There has been no official update on the status of the funds.

Earlier this year, the Florida Legislature passed a budget with $175 million for local support grants.

Leonardo Helicopters: Santa Rosa's new hangar for Leonardo Helicopters could pave way for aviation hub

In September, the commission announced the projects that would receive funds, and 12 projects were selected in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, totaling $4.9 million.

Of that money, $500,000 was set for the design and engineering of a taxiway from a runway at Naval Air Station Whiting Field to the Whiting Aviation industrial park, ultimately helping to usher in the aviation focus at the park.

But a week before the money's release deadline, DeSantis issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency related to Hurricane Ian, and $360 million was eventually set for storm recovery.

State money used in NW Florida: From mental health to downtown Pensacola restrooms, see plans for $4.9M in grant funds

What happens to projects in Escambia?: With state funds in limbo, Pensacola mayor still pursuing Veterans Memorial Park restroom

"Now, I'm just going back to the drawing board and checking to see if the (U.S. Economic Development Administration) can help fund it or other programs and see if there are other programs out there," said Santa Rosa County's Economic Development Director Shannon Ogletree. "It takes time to put together a grant application and get it submitted and go through all these steps. It's not a quick process."

The county broke ground at Whiting Aviation Park in August 2020 and finished a $9.8 million infrastructure project in 2021 to lay the groundwork for the park's first tenant, Leonardo Helicopters.

Compared to the county's other industrial parks, Whiting Aviation Park has the unique designation for items related to aviation and aerospace. The park takes up about 250 acres. Ogletree previously told the News Journal he expects Leonardo to break ground by the end of this year or by the first few months of next year at the latest.

The county also recently finished an Aviation Economic Development Study indicating that over the next decade more than 1,400 light industrial jobs are expected to be added in Santa Rosa County alone, and over 10,000 jobs across the tri-county area in Northwest Florida.

The taxiway effectively connects the park to NAS Whiting Field, which will enable aviation and aerospace companies access to the infrastructure they would need to fully achieve their respective goals. But without the money needed for the taxiway, Ogletree said it would change the entire complexion of the park.

"Without the taxiway and apron, it is just another industrial park just located adjacent to the base. With that taxiway and apron it allows us to really go after companies like Leonardo and others that need access to that amenity," Ogletree said.

Randy Roy, the community planning liaison at NAS Whiting Field, said he understands why the funding was shifted around and that the taxiway project does not affect NAS Whiting Field's purpose.

"As far as our base mission, it's going to continue," Roy said. "The taxiway was an add-on to the park to allow that flexibility for the aviation park."

Neither knew if the funds would eventually be released, but Ogletree said he remained hopeful.

"I'm definitely holding my breath, keeping my fingers crossed, crossing my feet – everything that is possible to wish me good luck on this one," Ogletree said, adding that it would be a loss to the county if the park's full purpose was not achieved.

"Not being able to go after aviation and aerospace companies like we really wanted to — companies that are paying some of the highest average wages — without that opportunity and without that amenity we're not even in the game," Ogletree said.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Whiting Aviation Park money diverted to Hurricane Ian recovery