AUVSI Partners with States to Boost Drone Economy

 The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and The Aerospace States Association (ASA), an association of state Lieutenant Governors, have signed an agreement to help boost the economy across the country with drones.

ASA is a non-profit formed in 1991 to promote a “state-based perspective” for federal aerospace policy, and to support state aerospace initiatives that boost economic development.  State chapters work to educate state lawmakers about the issues that their industry faces, as well as to promote the benefits that aerospace offers for their state.

ASA Chair, Alabama Lt. Governor Kay Ivey, said in a statement: “Unmanned aircraft systems have the potential to transform how we move and see things like the internet has transformed how we communicate. UAS are emerging technologies that will transform America by providing wide-ranging economic, environmental, safety, and security benefits. The UAS industry is expected to grow our state economies, create over 100,000 high-paying jobs, and be a source of innovation and inspiration for our youth to enter the STEM workforce.”

“We look to ASA to provide leadership at the state level to advance unmanned aviation as its members have successfully done to expand manned aviation,” said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI. “Informing state elected officials about the benefits of unmanned systems and listening to their concerns and interest in this emerging technology are vital to enabling the infrastructure and public policy needed to grow our industry.”

The partnership plans joint efforts to promote the drone industry in states across the nation.  The goals for the collaboration are broad: including the education and training of professionals, and the development and testing of new technologies.  The organizations plan to help drone businesses by facilitating tax reform, leveraging venture capital, and identifying public-private partnerships; they will also work with states to develop good infrastructure to promote the industry and leverage “unique geographical assets” like climate and location.  And in an effort to change the conversation about drones to the economic benefits that the drone industry provides, the partnership says that it will work to “Convey the multiple scientific, educational and commercial benefits of space exploration to the general public.”