- December 16, 2025
Flagler County officials got a little more help in their efforts to keep the Federal Aviation Administration’s training facility in town.
U.S. Rep. John Mica and Sen. Bill Nelson wrote a letter dated Jan. 3, to Michael Huerta, acting administrator of the FAA, asking the agency to reconsider moving the facility.
The Center for Management and Executive Leadership, which is located in Palm Coast, currently employs about 115 people. But the lease on the facility is expiring, and the FAA wants it to be located within 25 miles of a major international airport. The Palm Coast facility is too far from Orlando or Jacksonville, and so it doesn’t qualify.
“We are concerned that costs associated with moving the (facility) are questionable given numerous factors associated with the proposed move,” the letter states.
Mica and Nelson requested in the letter that the FAA delay any decision relating to the relocation of the facility “until the agency has conducted a thorough cost-analysis comparing the cost of moving the facility to the cost of maintaining it in Palm Coast.”
An FAA spokeswoman confirmed via email last month that a final decision wasn’t made, but one was expected soon.
County and state officials, however, know losing the facility could be a detrimental blow to an area that already has high unemployment. Flagler County has the second-highest unemployment rate in the state, white Palm Coast has the highest among metropolitan statistical areas.
“Given the changes to the economic picture and the high unemployment rate in that part of Florida, we believe it is prudent to carefully examine and compare all costs associated with the decision to move the training facility and start up new operations,” the letter reads.
Mica and Nelson also state in the letter that having the facility in close proximity to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, located in Daytona Beach, could be beneficial.
“We also note that the FAA could partner with ERAU for programs and other opportunities, saving money in the process,” the letter states.
According to the letter, ERAU has also proposed an unsolicited bid to maintain the facility.
For previous coverage of this story, click here.
