Economic Development at Sebastian Airport

The City of Sebastian has adopted an Economic Development Plan, much of which centers around the Sebastian Airport. There are tax incentives available from both City of Sebastian and Indian River County

The Airport has over 80 acres of land available for the development of aviation and light industry-related businesses.    

At the present time, the Sebastian Airport has improved sites, ready to build upon,  available to construct hanger/manufacturing facilities subject to permitting process and City Council approval. Lease rates are available in the area of $2.00 per square foot for manufacturing/hanger space.  

Airport Eastside showing Hangers A & B and Administration Facility

The Airport completed a project in March 2010 to add infrastructure to a major area on the east side of the Airport, adjacent to the LoPresti Aviation Hanger A. 

The Sebastian Municipal Airport completed the construction of Hanger B which was dedicated on October 8, 2011.

Work began in early 2015 on a complete renovation of the "eastside" entrance road to the airport. This project will include new sites for the construction of buildings for small businesses. The Golf Course maintenance building location will be moved and a new building added. See the map below of the new eastside area. For information on eastside building sites, contact the Airport Manager.

Overhead map view of Sebastian Municipal Airport

In March 2014, The Sebastian City Council approved funds to commence design and construction for a new Hanger C.  This 20,000 square foot hanger will be completed mid-2016. Space is available for lease in this new hanger.

Below is a drawing showing the areas available for new building construction and the location of existing facilities. The new infrastructure includes access roads and taxiways, water, sewer, underground electric service, street lighting, and telecommunications.

Sebastian Airport Eastside Layout

Florida ranked the most attractive state for businesses in the aviation industry

In a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), Florida was ranked the "most attractive state in the nation for companies in the aviation business".

The factors used by PwC in making the determination were: cost (taxes, business climate, energy), workforce (available aerospace technicians, engineers, mechanics, education attainment), and the number of operating aerospace companies.

"Not surprisingly, the highest-ranked states, such as Florida, Texas, and Washington, scored well across core variables, with relatively modest wages, well-trained and educated workforces, and a relatively high number of aerospace companies," said PwC in its study.

Click Here to see the results of the PwC study.

Call the Community Development Department at the City of Sebastian for more information on establishing your aerospace-related company at the Sebastian Airport.

FAA "General Aviation Airports: A National Asset":

In May 2012, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a major document about General Aviation airports entitled "General Aviation Airports: A National Asset".  The FAA states that the Report is, "A fresh look at the many roles General Aviation Airports play in the National Air Transport System.." This Report demonstrates the importance of a local airport and the high economic impact that a General Aviation Airport has on the local area. Click here to read the entire Report.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has published its "Annual Economic Impact of General Aviation Airports". This report issued in August 2014 shows the Sebastian Municipal Airport with total employment of 364, a total payroll of $12,234,000, and a total output of $45,165,000. To review the entire report with includes both commercial and general aviation economic impact in Florida, click here.

To find out more about locating your new facilities at the Sebastian Municipal Airport, call our Airport Manager, Jeff Sabo for more details. He can be reached at 772-228-7013 or 772-633-0897 or e-mail: jsabo@cityofsebastian.org