- December 20, 2024
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The Volusia County Council unanimously approved a $12 million loan agreement at its meeting on Tuesday, June 18, to renovate the Daytona Beach International Airport.
The tax exempt loan by CenterState Bank will be used for improvements to the airport's domestic terminal, which include updating the technology, replacing the escalators and cosmetic work. Rick Karl, director of the Daytona Beach International Airport and the county's Aviation and Economic Resources department, said the loan will be paid back using revenues generated at the airport, and not from taxpayer money.
“These improvements are badly needed," Karl said.
The airport brings in an annual economic impact of $2.1 billion to the community, he added.
County Manager George Recktenwald said it was the right time to do all the improvements, as the technology upgrades would likely "mess the place up." He said the county needed to also stay competitive with its airport.
"It’s important that we offer all the latest and greatest for our airlines that are there and any others that we wish to attract," Recktenwald said.
Earlier this month, Silver Airways announced it would be suspending service between Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale on July 1.
County Councilman Ben Johnson said $12 million was a lot of money, but that the first impression for visitors coming into the city was important, especially as the county courts more industries and businesses.
Daytona Beach resident John Nicholson asked if all the improvements were needed, because $12 million was a big figure. Technology upgrades are needed, he said, but he questioned the other improvements. Just because the airport is "old," doesn't mean it needs to change, he said.
“If this is one or two or three or four million dollars that you don’t need, I ask you to look at it very carefully," Nicholson said.
