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Ocala International Airport Plans New $6 Million Terminal

The Ocala International Airport is adding a new terminal after the Ocala City Council approved funding on Tuesday for the new building.

The council passed a motion to accept a Florida Department of Transportation supplemental joint participation agreement that will increase funding by more than $730,000. The money will be used to design and construct the new terminal building. Airport director Matt Grow put the total cost of the project at about $6.5 million.

The council also approved a contract with Ausley Construction Inc. for the construction of the terminal for just over $6 million.  The White House recently implemented a new 25 percent tariff on imported steel and aluminum products from certain trade partners.  Grow said he's not sure what impact the tariff will have just yet, but the city and construction company will purchase the materials directly to save in sales tax to compensate for the tariff.

"The city and Ausley will participate in the direct purchase of materials to try and save 6 percent in sales tax," he said.

The council adopted a budget resolution to amend the fiscal year 2017-2018 budget to give the funds for the design and construction of the building from these sources:


  • About $2 million from the Florida Department of Transportation.
  • $1 million from the City of Ocala
  • $800,000 from Sheltair Ocala, LLC, the fixed-base operator company that helps to manage the airport.

Construction is expected to begin soon, and it has not been announced which airline will occupy the terminal.

Lauren is a reporter for WUFT News who can be reached by emailing news@wuft.org or calling 352-392-6397.