Press Releases

DART (Drone, Automation, and Robotics Technology), a nationally recognized leader in advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem development, is expanding its statewide innovation work through a new partnership with Kern County economic development organization B3K Prosperity. The collaboration will support the development of a comprehensive Advanced Air Mobility Strategic Plan designed to help Kern County align with California's rapidly growing low-altitude aviation economy.

The effort builds on DART's leadership in advancing California's advanced air mobility ecosystem, including workforce development, infrastructure planning, industry collaboration, and statewide policy alignment. Through  initiatives such as California Jobs First and the American Air Advantage Consortium, DART has helped position California as a national leader in the emerging low-altitude aviation economy. DART also convenes statewide stakeholders through initiatives such as the annual LIFT Summit, which brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers to advance collaboration across the advanced air mobility ecosystem.

The initiative specifically aligns with Department of Defense priorities by leveraging Kern County's proximity to premier test ranges to accelerate the validation of dual-use autonomous systems. This focus ensures that regional infrastructure development directly supports the National Defense Strategy's emphasis on rapid prototyping and the resilient domestic manufacturing of uncrewed platforms.

DART brings nationally recognized expertise in AAM and UAS economic sector development, having supported regions across California and beyond in designing workforce pipelines, infrastructure strategies, and multi-stakeholder innovation ecosystems. Its work consistently bridges industry, education, government, and community partners to accelerate emerging technology adoption in ways that are equitable, market-responsive, and investment-ready.

"Monterey Bay DART was established to help regions across California prepare for the future of aviation and autonomous systems," said Joshua Metz, Executive Director of Monterey Bay DART. "By bringing together industry, workforce partners, and public agencies, we are helping communities develop practical strategies that connect local assets to California's rapidly evolving advanced air mobility ecosystem."

"Advanced Air Mobility represents a convergence of aerospace, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, autonomy, and workforce development," said Georgia Petropoulos, President & CEO of B3K Prosperity. "This partnership with DART allows us to move from vision to execution—grounding AAM opportunities in Kern County's regional strengths while aligning with state and federal investment priorities."

Based in the Monterey Bay region, DART has emerged as one of California's leading organizations advancing advanced air mobility and uncrewed aerial systems. The organization works with more than 200 partners across industry, government, academia, and workforce development to accelerate innovation, workforce pathways, and infrastructure readiness for next-generation aviation technologies.

Over the coming months, the DART-B3K team will engage regional stakeholders across workforce, infrastructure, industry engagement, and policy alignment, with an emphasis on implementation. Anticipated outcomes include:

• A shared regional AAM vision grounded in California Jobs First priorities
• Identification of priority use cases, assets, and readiness gaps
• Actionable strategies for workforce development, infrastructure, and business attraction
• Clear pathways to state, federal, and private investment

The resulting AAM Economic Development Strategic Plan will serve as a practical roadmap for Kern County leaders, partners, and investors seeking to advance high-quality job creation, innovation, and long-term economic resilience within California's emerging advanced air mobility ecosystem.