A new executive order will reinforce Maryland’s commitment to investing in innovative industries and growing the economy.
The newly created Maryland Advanced Air Mobility Council will bring together public and private sector representatives to best determine how to leverage the air mobility industry, which includes unmanned aircraft systems (or drones) and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
Home to a significant aerospace engineering talent pool and more than 9,000 companies under the aerospace and aviation sector, opportunity awaits in Maryland. The state is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this budding industry with help from several mission-critical federal and military agencies nearby.
“Maryland’s innovative business community and cutting-edge workforce are prepared to take off as the aerospace and aviation sector continues to grow,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson. “With a renewed focus on unmanned aircrafts and a dense concentration of aerospace talent, combined with guidance from the Advanced Air Mobility Council, our state can take advantage of promising industry opportunities and create high-demand jobs for future generations.”
With this emerging industry also comes the potential for new modes of transportation in Maryland and across the country. The Council will help regulate the safe development, testing, and operation of these new technologies.
“The horizon is filled with exciting new opportunities in Maryland’s skies including expanding MDOT’s ability to maintain operations and rapidly address situations across our transportation system,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “Governor Moore’s creation of the Advanced Air Mobility Council will help the state build the groundwork to launch Maryland into the next era of aviation innovation and solidify the state as a leading partner in this emerging sector.”
This executive order builds on another recent announcement from Governor Moore declaring that the state will focus on up-and-coming sectors including position, navigation, and timing, which is integral to the management of drones.
