Catalyzing Coastal Innovation: The Monterey Bay Tech Hub's Vision for Advanced Air Mobility
Today, the Monterey Bay Tech Hub proudly unveils its dynamic website (https://www.mbtechhub.org/), a pivotal step forward in our collective mission to foster Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) growth and catalyze job creation across San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Monterey counties.
This innovative platform amplifies our region's momentum, specifically tailored to support the workforce training and infrastructure needs essential for the burgeoning electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and hydrogen-fueled aircraft sectors.
Recognizing our tri-county enclave as a global tech nexus for AAM, the Monterey Bay Tech Hub has pinpointed key areas of focus: Workforce Training, AAM Infrastructure, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Collective Political Engagement.
Nestled in this scenic coastal landscape thrives one of the world's highest concentrations of AAM activity, with three prominent passenger eVTOL companies leading the charge in prototyping, testing, and manufacturing. Moreover, our region hosts titans in hydrogen-fueled passenger aircraft and hybrid-fueled drone manufacturing, alongside major vertical users across diverse sectors, from marine science to agriculture.
Amidst our predominantly agricultural backdrop lie multiple defense installations, esteemed academic institutions, and cutting-edge research centers in marine science. This strategic alignment has been underscored by both the Monterey County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and the visionary Investment Plan for the Regions Rise Together (RRT) Initiative, pivotal documents driving federal and state grant applications.
At the heart of this collaborative effort stand industry titans Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, alongside esteemed partners from higher education, military, municipal leadership, regional government, and grassroots community organizations.
Founding pillars of the Monterey Bay Tech Hub include the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, UC Santa Cruz, and Monterey Bay DART, all pivotal members of our executive committee. The Leadership Council includes Doug Erickson, Executive Director of Santa Cruz Works. See MBTH Leadership Council.
In the words of Tahra Goraya, President & CEO of Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP), "Advanced air mobility and its adjacent industries harbor immense potential to uplift our regional economy. We are steadfast in our commitment to address the workforce and infrastructure imperatives vital to nurturing these industries' flourishing presence here in the Monterey Bay region."