Known For Sea & Now By Air: Broward’s First City Welcomes Spirit Airlines Global Headquarters

“Dania Beach proudly welcomes Spirit and their global team to Broward’s first city. Our location and reputation were crucial when ushering in the groundbreaking developments as a hub for aviation, technology, and training,” said Dania Beach Mayor A.J. Ryan IV. “This partnership will produce a positive economic impact reflected in our tax base, and will generate fees to fund public art, improve transportation, and further enhance our parks and recreation.”

Spirit Airlines’ capital investment was estimated at approximately $250 Million over three years with a taxable value of $208,750,000 to the City. The project will also create 225 new high-wage jobs over five years with an average salary of $78,854. In 2022, Spirit created 218 jobs at an actual average salary of $109,569 – surpassing the 24 jobs and $78,854 average salary requirement, according to Florida Commerce Division of Economic Development.

Dania Beach's strategic location provides an ideal framework for businesses to relocate to the waterfront city. Dania Beach is located adjacent to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades, which is partially within the city’s limits. The city is rapidly becoming the prime location for new businesses and business relocations. Other major businesses that call Dania Beach home are JetBlue Travel Products, VIKAND Technologies, American Maritime Officers National Headquarters and STAR Training and Research Center, International Game and Fish Association, Chiquita Brand International (USA), Florida Atlantic University's Sea Tech, along with first-class marinas and many marine-related businesses.

The Dania Beach City Commission supported the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board’s 10% local support incentive of $135,000 for the Spirit Airlines relocation through the State of Florida’s Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program and as a High-Impact Sector Business under the High-Impact Sector Tax Refund Bonus Program with a Brownfield Redevelopment Bonus Refund in addition to $225,000 through a Direct Cash Job Creation Incentive Grant. The financial support by the Dania Beach CRA was provided over a nine-year period beginning with Fiscal Year 2023. The Brownfield site has been underused due to environmental concerns. Broward County is also contributing $135,000 in local financial support.

Spirit Airlines campus is located on 8.5 acres in the city’s CRA area of Dania Pointe, includes a six-story, 180,000 square foot office building, a 103,500 square foot technical center with flight simulators, a seven-story 200-unit apartment building with an employee parking garage, and employee center, and a 998-space parking garage. Another office building is in the works. Dania Pointe includes one million square feet of retail and restaurants in addition to Class A offices, hotels, luxury apartments and public event space. It is conveniently located between I-95 to the west and Bryan Road to the east and Stirling Road to the south.