Monterey Bay Drone, Aviation & Robotics Technology (DART) today published the Advanced Air Mobility Infrastructure Working Group Impact Report 2024-2026, which documents the first two and a half years of the Monterey Bay Tech Hub (MBTH) Infrastructure Working Group (IWG). The report is intended as a reference for regions and organizations looking to integrate Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) into their economic development strategies.

DART has facilitated the IWG since MBTH formed in March 2024. The group convenes airport managers, state agencies, AAM companies, and research institutions each month to coordinate infrastructure and workforce investment across the Central Coast. It has grown to more than 25 active member organizations and held 28 sessions through September 2026.

Highlights from the report include:

• Funding: The IWG was the central coordination hub behind the $7.45 million California Advanced Air Mobility Corridors Initiative (CAAMCI), awarded to the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership on behalf of MBTH in August 2025. The award funds planning and infrastructure improvements at Watsonville, Marina, Salinas, and Hollister municipal airports.
• Federal and state proposals: IWG stakeholders contributed to the region’s response to the FAA’s Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies RFI and to a Caltrans-led proposal for the eVTOL and AAM Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), which contributed to California’s involvement with the Multistate Collaborative eIPP.
• Technical work: The report covers the Strategic Outlook and Assessment of Readiness for AAM (SOAR AAM) study and the Monterey–San Jose Air Taxi Case Study, both of which informed the group’s planning priorities.
• Expert presentations: Members heard from 10 speakers, including representatives from the FAA, Joby Aviation, Siemens, Wisk Aero, and BETA Technologies.
• Policy engagement: DART submitted public comments on behalf of the IWG on the S.B. 800 AAM Infrastructure Readiness and Three-Year Implementation Work Plan and on the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program Handbook.

“DART and the Monterey Bay Tech Hub have built a strong body of regional development work over the past several years that we continue to expand upon, and the Infrastructure Working Group is a key part of these efforts,” said Josh Metz, Executive Director of DART. “We are excited to share this report with anyone working to position their region for Advanced Air Mobility.”

“Representing Joby Aviation in the MBTH Infrastructure Working Group over the past year has greatly enhanced our regional perspective—giving us a clear view of local priorities, ongoing initiatives, and key questions for industry partners,” said Karen Coronel, Manager of State and Local Affairs at Joby Aviation. “Beyond regional alignment, the IWG has created a valuable space to collaborate directly with local transportation agencies, airport managers, and utility leaders whose partnerships are all critical for deployment.”

About DART

Monterey Bay Drone, Aviation & Robotics Technology (DART) is a nonprofit founded in 2019 whose mission is to build innovative pathways to meet Advanced Air Mobility’s growing workforce needs, support the planning and development of critical infrastructure, and convene stakeholders across industry, government, and education to unlock regional potential. DART has been an advocate for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in the Monterey Bay Region, including helping Joby Aviation secure a $9.8 million CalCompetes grant for a manufacturing footprint in Marina, California, and serving as a core partner in the development and award of $7.45 million in state funding for the California Advanced Air Mobility Corridors Initiative to enable further research and development in Monterey Bay through the Monterey Bay Tech Hub.

Media Contact

Jordan King
Project Analyst, Monterey Bay DART
jordan@mbdart.org | info@mbdart.org