Florida Construction News staff writer
The DeFuniak Springs Municipal Airport (54J) in Northwest Florida is undergoing a significant expansion with the construction of a new $8.4 million terminal. This project is a key component of the airport’s broader development plan aimed at enhancing aviation infrastructure and supporting regional economic growth.< Lord and Sons Construction is the project contractor.
The terminal construction is funded through a combination of sources, including grants from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds. Over the past five years, the city has secured more than $25 million in aviation-related funding for the airport.
Future phases of the expansion include:
- Extending and widening Runway 9/27 to 5,000 feet
- Constructing new hangars, including two 6,400-square-foot and one 10,000-square-foot structures
- Adding an 800-foot parallel taxiway
- Building an access road to connect the new hangars to the runway
These improvements are projected to create nearly 500 jobs over the next decade in aviation, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and related sectors, offering wages above the Walton County average.
The expansion is expected to significantly boost the local economy by enhancing connectivity for general and corporate aviation. It will also support growth in the region’s aviation and aerospace industries, positioning DeFuniak Springs as a key hub on the Emerald Coast.