The Monterey Bay Tech Hub has received a $7.45 million state grant to create California’s first FAA-compliant multi-airport flight corridor for drones and advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles. The funding, awarded by the California Jobs First Council through the Regional Investment Initiative, will help link public airports in Marina, Salinas, Hollister, and Watsonville to support testing, research, and operations of drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVOTL) aircraft.
The grant, submitted by the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership on behalf of the Tech Hub, aims to expand the Central Coast’s already robust AAM ecosystem. The region has the nation’s highest concentration of companies in advanced air mobility and drone technology. Officials said the corridor will foster innovation, create jobs, and support economic growth across Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties.
“The development of an FAA-compliant test corridor will be transformational for the Monterey Bay region, already at the forefront of innovation in eVOTL aircraft and drone technology,” said Tahra Goraya, CEO and president of MBEP. “CAAMCI charts a clear path forward to embrace the full AAM potential of our region and bring jobs that will help our economy thrive.”
The initiative is led by a coalition of regional partners, including MBEP, UC Santa Cruz, and DART. Larry Samuels, special advisor to the UC Santa Cruz chancellor, said the grant recognizes the Tech Hub’s role in organizing local government, higher education, and industry leaders. “With these funds, we can expand AAM research and manufacturing, strengthening economic development and establishing a next-generation corridor network in California,” Samuels said.
City leaders echoed the significance of the funding. “This award underscores the Central Coast’s strategic position as a hub for innovation,” said Rene Mendez, city manager of Salinas. “It will drive economic growth and position the region at the forefront of sustainable, air-based transportation while creating opportunities for local businesses, technology developers, and the broader community.”
Josh Metz, executive director of DART, noted the award reflects years of coordinated regional planning, including early stakeholder engagement, airport readiness assessments, and workforce development pilots. Krista Snelling, MBEP board president, said the grant exemplifies MBEP’s mission to convene stakeholders, identify challenges, and leverage resources for regional growth.
“This funding positions our majority-minority region as a national leader in advanced air mobility, fueling innovation, attracting industry partners, and opening doors for the next generation of talent,” said Lavera Alexander, MBEP chief growth officer and CAAMCI lead.
The corridor will provide a scalable, safe infrastructure for clean energy-powered drones and aerospace vehicles, supporting regional leadership in defense, space, and satellite technologies while advancing California’s broader AAM goals.