SANTA ROSA COUNTY - Santa Rosa County Commissioners are throwing their weight behind the push to bring Southwest Airlines to Northwest Florida.

They approved an incentive package contingent on Southwest coming to either the Pensacola Regional or Okaloosa Regional Airport.

It would raise the county bed tax by one cent bringing in a projected $200,000 a year.

All of that money would go towards advertising county destinations in other Southwest markets for at least three years.

The commission would also allow the County Tourism and Development Council to spend $125,000 a year for three years toward Southwest's infrastructure costs here.

The TDC also guarantees to secure $10,000 in Southwest gift card pledges and give Southwest 1,000 free room-nights at Navarre Beach Vacation Rentals and hotels.

As Greg Neumann shows us that's got residents and realtors on the beach thinking big.

It's easily the quietest beach in Northwest Florida but that could soon change.

"We're giving away 100 free nights. We want to do advertising with Southwest."

JME Vacations is one of several rental agencies on Navarre Beach contributing to those 1,000 free room nights and for good reason.

"Most of our traffic is just drive traffic. If we could get the airline here, it's gonna open up just large amounts of people to be coming in."

"I think we should do anything we can to promote activity out here on the beach."

Lyle Cater lives on the beach and also owns rental properties.

He loves the idea of Southwest increasing traffic here.

"This would help tremendously, kind of in the in-between seasons where we could promote the beach. I mean we've got the most beautiful beaches in the country, and if we could get people in here to see them, they'd come back."

Along with attracting new people to the beach, residents who already live here part-time say Southwest would also make it easier for them to get here as well.

"Predominantly they're driving because they don't have the frequency of flights. So, I think that would help a great deal particularly if the costs were reduced. The costs are quite high right now."

And to the folks out here, they'll be sitting pretty if Southwest chooses Pensacola or Fort Walton Beach.

"We're the best of both worlds. We are right in between both places, so either one is gonna help us."

Santa Rosa Commissioners will include a line in their letter of intent saying they would "prefer" Southwest come to the Pensacola Regional Airport but would also support a move to Okaloosa County as well.Santa Rosa Determines Commitment to Bring Southwest Locally