A new regional initiative aims to position Kern County at the forefront of a rapidly growing drone- and autonomous aircraft-focused aviation sector.
A Better Bakersfield and Boundless Kern (B3K) Prosperity and Monterey Bay Drone, Aviation, and Robotics Technology (DART) announced Wednesday that they will lead a six-month strategic planning process to develop an Advanced Air Mobility economic development strategy for the region.
The initiative will bring together local industry leaders, workforce partners, and public agencies to identify how Kern County can attract investment and support the development of next-generation aviation technologies. Organizers say the resulting plan will outline steps to strengthen workforce training, expand infrastructure, and position the county as a competitive hub in California’s emerging low-altitude aviation economy.
Jordan King, who works with Monterey Bay DART on the strategic planning effort, said interest in the sector has accelerated in recent months as federal and state agencies move to support the technology’s development.
“Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is developing rapidly and promises new economic development opportunities for regions that plan ahead for workforce training and infrastructure,” King said.
King pointed to recent federal and state actions, including the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing and Advanced Air Mobility Aircraft Integration Pilot Program and California’s Advanced Air Mobility Infrastructure Readiness and Three-Year Implementation Work Plan, as providing new momentum for the industry.
Local economic leaders say Kern County’s existing aerospace ecosystem could make the region a strong candidate for this next phase of aviation development.
“Advanced Air Mobility represents a convergence of aerospace, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, autonomy, and workforce development,” said Georgia Petropoulos, president and CEO of B3K Prosperity, in a statement announcing the partnership.
The planning initiative will build on broader statewide economic strategies, including California’s Jobs First regional planning effort and the state’s recently released economic blueprint. Organizers say the goal is to translate those high-level economic priorities into specific actions that could bring new investment and jobs to Kern County.
Over the next six months, the project team plans to engage regional stakeholders across aerospace, education, workforce development, and government to identify potential industry uses, infrastructure needs, and workforce training gaps.
According to King, a wide range of regional partners are expected to participate in the planning process. Those groups include the California Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics, Kern County government, the Kern Council of Governments, the Kern Economic Development Corporation, the cities of Bakersfield, Shafter, and Tehachapi, as well as local educational institutions including Bakersfield College, California State University Bakersfield, and California Aeronautical University. The Mojave Air and Space Port and other regional partners are also expected to provide input.
DART’s strategic planning support and stakeholder engagement are being funded by B3K Prosperity, according to King.
“Kern County is uniquely positioned to play a meaningful role in California’s AAM future,” said Joshua Metz, executive director of Monterey Bay DART. “This planning process is about creating a clear, credible roadmap that aligns regional priorities with the state economic blueprint and identifies near-term actions that industry, workforce partners, and public agencies can rally around.”
Kern County already hosts one of the largest aerospace and defense clusters in California. Regional economic data show the county supports more than 20,000 aerospace jobs tied to military research, aircraft testing, engineering, and advanced manufacturing.
Key facilities such as Edwards Air Force Base, a major U.S. military flight test center, generate roughly $3.1 billion in annual economic activity and support nearly 10,000 regional jobs. Nearby, Mojave Air and Space Port has become a hub for private aerospace development, hosting dozens of companies involved in aircraft testing, spaceflight research, and experimental aviation systems.
Together, those facilities provide vast open airspace, specialized testing infrastructure, and a highly skilled workforce. These are advantages regional leaders say could support emerging Advanced Air Mobility technologies.
The final plan is expected to outline specific recommendations for workforce development programs, infrastructure investments, and business attraction efforts designed to bring new aviation technology companies to the region.
If successful, organizers say the effort could help ensure Kern County remains a key player in the future of aviation.