City commissioners unanimously OK’d airport leaders to start putting into practice a $10 million airport incentive program that officials say will “move the needle” in allowing Tallahassee International to attract more airlines and boost its profile.
The allocation of funds for the incentive package was approved in May 2025 by the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Board, and now the dollars can be put into play to help increase the number of annual passengers, improve infrastructure and establish a fully operational foreign trade zone, among other things.
Though the airport has yet to deliver on the No. 1 Tallahassee wish list item of more carriers and routes, Mayor John E. Dailey praised Airport Director David Pollard for his leadership. The incentive package is expected to make a $1.1 billion impact on the area economy with 1,158 jobs.
“I love your creative thinking when it comes to tackling problems, specifically with the TSA equipment,” Dailey said to Pollard. “I appreciate that. Those that fly appreciate that.”
The airport currently only has one luggage screening machine. Pollard said it breaks down, and when it does, “passengers are arriving at their destinations without their bags.”
“I want to be in a position to be able to do something about that security checkpoint,” he added, because the lines at security will only get longer as the number of travelers increases.
And the money gives him the ability to do that. It also will fund minimum revenue guarantees, a risk-mitigation tool used by airlines that guarantees them a minimum revenue amount for a new or seasonal service.
Ultimately, this means the airport will be better positioned to attract new airlines that can take Tallahassee travelers to new destinations. Limited flight options have been an ongoing issue as Tallahassee has struggled to retain new air service.
Pollard wouldn’t say which carriers he’d be able to secure with the incentives, but he did say the commission giving the thumbs up to use the funds will certainly help close the deals. City Commissioner Curtis Richardson said he knows this will be a “tremendous incentive” that will bring more airlines to Tallahassee.
“I was talking to a guy recently, and he was complaining about the fact that he had come to Tallahassee but he couldn’t leave the day he wanted to leave because the air service wasn’t available,” Richardson said. “So I understand the urgency of what we need to do here.”
“I’m on the receiving end of those frustrations that the passengers feel,” Pollard said. “I don’t like it either.”
Even in full support of what’s ahead, Richardson said he wanted to make sure they were investing public dollars “in a wise, judicious way.” Pollard assured Richardson that the airport wouldn’t see the full balance all at once, that it comes out to roughly $670,000 a year over 15 years.
“There are certainly built-in checks and balances along the way, both through Blueprint and the city,” he said.
Pollard provides updates on airport projects
The airport has been under construction for a while with various things waiting to be repaired or added to the airport’s campus. City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow asked Pollard to give a status report on when the airport’s outside parking lot elevator would be up and running again.
The elevator had a “catastrophic failure,” Pollard said. They tried to repair it a few times until eventually they decided it couldn’t be fixed. The new elevator will be on site in April and then they can begin to install it.
“I recognize the need for the elevator, and we’re not turning a blind eye,” Pollard said. “If somebody requires special assistance, we have posted on the elevator a number that they can call.” There is also a ramp next to the elevator.
Richardson asked when citizens could expect the airport’s brand new International Processing Facility to be up and running.
The 40,000 square-foot facility will house a federal inspection area and customs port of entry that will be used for both commercial and general aviation. The facility will also allow the airport to offer direct international flights and shipping goods in the future.
Pollard said they’re sorting through the technical design standards that are set forth by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, but they’re “somewhat at the mercy of our contract director and their subcontractors.”
As of now, the center is getting the “polish and final touches put on it,” and the temporary walls in place are coming down soon. Pollard said things are expected to be “substantially complete” by the second quarter.
“By end of third quarter 2026, we will anticipate going operational based upon U.S. customs accepting the facility,” he said.
City Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox said there are “great things to come,” adding “I’m looking forward to it.”
Local government watchdog reporter Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: ‘Tremendous’: City approves use of $10M to improve airport
Reporting by Elena Barrera, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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