{"id":27819,"date":"2024-02-12T18:58:57","date_gmt":"2024-02-12T18:58:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saj.pachecostudios.com?p=27819"},"modified":"2024-02-12T18:58:59","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T18:58:59","slug":"west-virginia-poised-to-lead-in-advanced-air-mobility-according-to-recently-released-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateaviationjournal.com\/index.php\/state-news\/west-virginia\/west-virginia-poised-to-lead-in-advanced-air-mobility-according-to-recently-released-study\/%20","title":{"rendered":"West Virginia Poised to Lead in Advanced Air Mobility According to Recently Released Study"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Vertx Partners<\/a> has announced the release of a groundbreaking Deloitte study assessing West Virginia’s potential to become a hub for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). The comprehensive study reveals key insights into the booming AAM market in the United States and positions West Virginia as a strategic player in this transformative industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Funded through a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS)\ngrant, the report delves into the emerging AAM industry set to revolutionize\nthe transport of goods, services, and people. Forecasted to contribute $115\nbillion to the U.S. economy by 2035 and create over 280,000 high-paying jobs,\nAAM presents a significant opportunity for West Virginia’s economic and societal\ngrowth. While many national studies on AAM concentrate on urban applications,\nthis report uniquely explores the potential and challenges of implementing AAM\nin rural settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vertx team members, including President Sean Frisbee and VP\nof Operations Mary Cook, presented key findings of the study to state and local\nleaders in the Governor\u2019s Conference Room on Monday. \u201cThis is a great\nopportunity for the state,\u201d says Frisbee. \u201cWest Virginia has the chance to lead\nan industry and build out the template that will be used not only for rural\nWest Virginians but also for rural America, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Graney, Executive Director of the West Virginia\nDepartment of Economic Development, echoed the sentiment, stating, \u201cAAM in West\nVirginia means job creation. AAM means workforce development. This study proves\nthat we\u2019re ready to take the next step in adopting these innovations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mingo County Redevelopment Authority (MCRA) is one\norganization helping lead the effort to bring AAM to the Mountain State. The\nCDS includes an AAM K-16 curriculum initiative led by the MCRA and Vertx\nPartners\u2019 Randy Hefner. This initiative is cited as an example of West Virginia\u2019s\ncurrent AAM ecosystem and is considered a crucial component of its long-term\nAAM adoption strategy. The program includes AAM curriculum for K-12, Community\nand Technical Colleges, higher education, and the existing workforce, and\npromises to lead to new workforce opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMingo County is proud to be taking center stage in leading\nAAM operations in West Virginia,\u201d says Leasha Johnson, Executive Director of\nthe MCRA. \u201cOur partnership with Vertx Partners has already guaranteed that we\nhave a jumpstart on much of the nation in this field.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Context:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Industry Overview: Advanced Air Mobility is a system of transportation encompassing drones and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, providing essential access to underserved areas and creating\nspecialized, high-paying jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf West Virginia\u2019s AAM Potential: With its strategic location in the heart of the East Coast, rugged landscape, and local demand for accessible transportation, the study identifies West Virginia as a potential driver and early\nadopter of AAM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four Pillars & Future Steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study assesses four persistent factors that determine a\nlocale\u2019s potential to capitalize on AAM. After assessment, the study recommends\naction items to build on the existing pillars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few of the key takeaways from the Deloitte study:<\/p>\n\n\n\n