The leading global advanced air mobility (AAM) company Joby may have decided to set up its future production line in Ohio as the most financially attractive local competitor for its presence, but California is looking to get more jobs and economic activity from the Santa Cruz -based air taxi startup before its focus shifts east — and was recently handed a nearly $10 million grant to prove it.
Joby announced today that it has been awarded a $9.8 million California Competes grant by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, which will be used to finance the continued expansion of the air taxi developer in the state. The AAM company will use that money to strengthen its current pre-production capabilities as it prepares for the certification and launch of its full-scale manufacturing plant in Dayton, OH, scheduled for 2025.
Under the terms of the grant, Joby committed to creating 690 additional full-time jobs in California by 2027. It is also investing $41.3 million to expand its pre-production air taxi manufacturing capacities and to prepare training programs and facilities for future AAM pilots and aircraft. maintenance specialists.
If California officials resent Joby’s decision to bow to Dayton’s siren song — and Ohio’s $350 million support for factory construction; an additional $93 million in new tax credits; and an additional $110 million grant currently under consideration – they did not show it.
In addition to providing Joby with the financial means to strengthen its pre-manufacturing capabilities that will enable it to launch air taxi services in 2025, the California Competes grant will actively support the indigenous AAM company in its push to obtain an aircraft-type certification from Federal Aviation. Management.
In other words, if California doesn’t do anything about Joby’s move to Ohio, it’s a good sport about it — a charm that’s appreciated and needed to begin with.
“We are honored to receive a prestigious CalCompetes grant from our home state of California to support pilot training and the development of our manufacturing facilities prior to initial operations,” said Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt . “Joby was founded in 2009, now employs more than 1,250 people across the state, and we’re excited to continue growing in California as we deliver revolutionary zero-emissions flight.”
Once it introduces and begins expanding AAM services with the California financial wind behind it, Joby’s focus will shift to the new Dayton plant, whose 2,000 employees are expected to produce up to 500 air taxis per year when it comes on line in two years.
