- December 16, 2025
Palm Coast officials are continuing to do all things possible to keep the Federal Aviation Administration’s training facility from relocating.
New criteria that will require the FAA’s Center for Management and Executive Leadership facility to be within 25 miles of a major international airport has disqualified Palm Coast. But elected officials are concerned that if the facility leaves town, a greater economic burden will be put on Palm Coast, which already has the highest unemployment rate in the state, at 14%. The facility employs about 115 people.
A final decision hasn’t been made, but the FAA is currently soliciting offers for a new location for the training facility, and a decision is expected soon, an FAA spokeswoman said via email Tuesday.
Still, Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts is using all the weapons in his arsenal to see that Palm Coast gets a chance to be considered.
Netts sent letters dated Dec. 21, to three representatives, including Sen. Marco Rubio, Sen. Bill Nelson, and U.S. Rep. John Mica.
In the letters sent to the representatives, Netts writes: “In a time when Congress and the Administration are working to restore stability to the economy and workforce, it is inexplicable that the FAA would continue to pursue efforts that would further destabilize an economically distressed region.”
For previous coverage of this story, click here.
