Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY), an eVTOL aircraft developer, has been awarded a substantial $9.8 million California Competes grant by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).
This grant is poised to propel the development of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, designed for commercial passenger service.
It will allow for a significant expansion of Joby’s manufacturing facilities in California, and the creation of 690 new jobs statewide.
The Financial Boost
Joby Aviation plans to utilize the $9.8 million grant to finance a significant expansion of its facilities in Marina, California.
This expansion aims to support higher manufacturing volumes, initial training for pilots and aircraft maintainers, and continued hiring across the company’s offices in San Carlos and Santa Cruz.
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In alignment with the grant, Joby commits to invest $41.3 million, with the ambitious goal of creating 690 additional full-time jobs in the state by 2027.
The CalCompetes grant is a strategic move for Joby, allowing the acceleration of early manufacturing in California.
This not only supports the ongoing type certification program with the Federal Aviation Administration but also paves the way for initial commercial operations, anticipated to commence in 2025.
“We’re honored to receive a prestigious CalCompetes grant from our home state of California to support pilot training and the growth of our manufacturing facilities in advance of early operations,” shared JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby.
With over a decade of history since its founding in 2009, Joby currently employs more than 1,250 people across the state.
Local Support and Economic Development
Beyond the technical advancements, Joby is committed to fostering community growth. The grant will facilitate the expansion of Joby’s existing apprenticeship program, providing new career opportunities for residents in the Salinas Valley.
This program, established in partnership with the Monterey Bay Drone, Automation and Robotics Technology (DART) Initiative, has already proven successful, hiring more than 30 technicians to date.
California Senator Anna Caballero emphasized the importance of this grant for manufacturing expansion in Marina, California, stating,
“This grant to Joby… affirms California’s commitment to build the future of advanced air mobility through a partnership with government, community, and industry.”
Local leaders also expressed their enthusiasm for Joby’s expansion. Marina’s Mayor, Bruce Delgado, shared his excitement about Joby’s increased production capabilities at the Marina Municipal Airport, creating hundreds of new, local jobs.
This funding will not only support manufacturing but also expand Joby’s research and development hub in Marina.
Maria Elena Manzo, Project Director of Mujeres en Acción, highlighted the collaborative effort between Joby and the community, stating, “This is a real partnership, a model of inclusive economic development done with the community, not for the community.”
Looking Beyond California
While Joby plans to manufacture eVTOL aircraft for initial operations in California, the company recently announced the location of its first scaled manufacturing plant in Dayton, Ohio.
This facility is expected to deliver up to 500 aircraft per year, supporting up to 2,000 clean manufacturing jobs.
The eVTOL developer isn’t confining its vision to California. The company made headlines by performing its first exhibition flights outside of the state in New York City.
Joby became the first company to fly an electric air taxi in the city, aligning with the leadership’s commitment to electrify the Downtown Manhattan Heliport for clean and quiet air travel.
Joining the Revolution: Joby’s Hiring
The company currently has more than 160 open positions in California, offering exciting opportunities for those eager to contribute to the future of aviation.
Interested candidates can find more information and submit applications on the company’s Careers page.
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