Protecting Readiness Through Partnership at Homestead Air Reserve Base

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Great things happen when collaboration, creativity, and shared priorities come together—and a recent success at Homestead Air Reserve Base (HARB) is a perfect example.

Located at the southern tip of the continental United States, HARB plays a critical role in national defense operations throughout the Western Hemisphere. Protecting compatible land use around the base helps safeguard nearly $390 million in annual economic activity and more than 4,000 Florida jobs, while ensuring mission readiness and operational security for years to come.

Through the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program, HARB and its REPI partner, Compatible Lands Foundation (CLF), finalized a restrictive use easement on land adjacent to the installation. Funded through a combination of REPI and Florida’s Defense Infrastructure Grant (DIG) Program, the agreement restricts development on a 16.9-acre tract near aircraft corridors, explosives handling areas, and accident potential zones. By limiting people-intensive uses and preventing tall structures that could compromise operations, the project ensures that training and mission activities at HARB can continue safely and effectively.

This achievement also reflects strong local leadership and cooperation. The DIG grant was applied for and administered by the Economic Development Council of South Miami-Dade with support from the South Florida Defense Alliance. The landowner, Daniel Abreu of Homestead Commerce Center LLC, worked collaboratively with CLF and partners to reach an innovative solution that balanced development interests with long-term military compatibility.

Beyond the easement itself, the agreement resolved compatibility concerns across eight additional nearby parcels—totaling approximately 42.6 acres—through coordinated zoning actions and restrictive covenants at no cost to REPI or DIG. In total, 11 parcels totaling 59.5 acres identified for compatibility concerns have now been addressed.

Compatible Lands Foundation facilitated negotiations and will continue to monitor and enforce the easement to ensure lasting compliance. This success demonstrates how proactive planning, voluntary partnerships, and coordinated federal, state, and local efforts can deliver meaningful results for national defense, local communities, and surrounding landscapes alike.