Investment Anchors Central Coast as a Statewide Leader in Aerospace Innovation, Clean Mobility, and Inclusive Workforce Development

Marina, CA — September 5, 2025 — DART is thrilled to announce the Monterey Bay Tech Hub (MBTH) consortium was awarded a $7.4 million California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative  grant to establish the California Advanced Air Mobility Corridors Initiative (CAAMCI). The State of California grant, awarded to the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) as lead applicant on behalf of the MBTH, will fund critical infrastructure to support expanded R&D and ultimately commercial operations of climate-smart aircraft, drones, and advanced aerospace systems. This award positions the Central Coast at the forefront of the state’s aerospace and defense innovation economy, connecting research, industry, and community partners to accelerate technology adoption and expand access to good-paying jobs.

Broad Coalition, Shared Vision

Founded in 2024 by the MBEP, UC Santa Cruz, and Monterey Bay Drone, Aviation & Robotics Technology (DART), the Tech Hub has grown into a cross-sector coalition that includes:

• Leading OEMs: Joby Aviation, Wisk Aero, Archer, Elroy Air, Parallel Flight
• Public General Aviation Airports: Marina, Salinas, Hollister, Watsonville
• Higher Education: UC Santa Cruz, CSU Monterey Bay, Cabrillo College, Hartnell College, Monterey Peninsula College
• Community Partners: Digital Nest, Building Healthy Communities, Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, and others
• Local Governments: Cities of Marina, Salinas, Hollister, Watsonville; Counties of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz

As a MBTH co-founder and infrastructure lead, DART has been central in shaping CAAMCI—setting the initial vision for the Central Coast Air Mobility Ecosystem (Corridor), securing the Advancing Central Coast AAM Ecosystem: Jobs and Infrastructure CJF Jobs First Catalyst Grant, convening the MBTH Infrastructure Working Group since early 2024, publishing the SOAR AAM Readiness Assessment (Fall 2024), establishing a vertiport network planning partnership with Skyway, and aligning philanthropic support from the James Irvine Foundation to seed early workforce and infrastructure pilots.

A Transformative Step for California

“This grant award is a game-changer for the State and the region,” said Josh Metz, Executive Director of DART. “After many years of sustained advocacy and coalition-building, building on decades of visionary aerospace innovation leadership, and extensive public and private investment in the civilian reuse of the former Fort Ord, this award affirms that the Central Coast is California’s launchpad for cutting-edge, climate-smart aviation.”

“This award is more than just funding; it’s a powerful vote of confidence from the State of California,” said Cody Cleverly, Board President of DART and Workforce Development Lead at Joby Aviation. “It signals a clear commitment to investing in the future of Advanced Air Mobility, the growth of our clean economy, and most importantly, the creation of high-quality jobs.”

What’s Next

Target outcomes of this investment over the next 24-months include:

• Developing three operational flight test corridors connecting Marina, Salinas, Hollister, and Watsonville airports
• Building essential ground infrastructure, including vertiport readiness, communications systems, and electric charging stations
• Piloting high-impact use cases, from wildfire response to medical delivery to sustainable agricultural logistics
• Engaging the public through outreach, demonstration flights, and education efforts to build trust and awareness

A Statewide Model

Anchored on the Central Coast but connected to broader aerospace initiatives in Kern and Ventura Counties, CAAMCI is a statewide model of the Jobs First Economic Blueprint: creating good jobs, strengthening equity, advancing climate goals, and securing California’s position as a national leader in aerospace innovation.