Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Drone Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Universities and economic groups seek state support for drone safety infrastructure (NEoFix)
Summary
Baldwin Wallace University and regional economic-development groups asked the Senate to fund expansion of a Northeast Ohio Flight Information Exchange (NEoFix) model that provides drone safety infrastructure and data sharing for public safety and commercial use.
Baldwin Wallace University, regional economic development organizations and manufacturing trade groups asked the Senate to fund a statewide expansion of an existing Northeast Ohio drone‑information exchange, arguing the infrastructure supports safe drone operations for public safety, medical delivery and commercial uses.
Why it matters: Witnesses said a coordinated data and operations infrastructure will help law enforcement, hospitals and industry operate drones safely and unlock private investment and jobs tied to emerging advanced air mobility.
Stuart Mendel, project director for the Northeast Ohio Flight Information Exchange (NEoFix) at Baldwin Wallace, requested $1,000,000 over the biennium to expand the program to additional counties and to help communities prepare rules and technical systems for drone integration. He said NEoFix is operational in Cuyahoga County and involves more than 100 stakeholders including law enforcement, hospitals, parks and industry partners.
Manufacturing Works and local economic‑development partners supported the request. Howard Thompson of Manufacturing Works described use cases — drones as first responders, emergency medical delivery and commercial logistics — and said Ohio is already positioned as a national leader in advanced‑air mobility. Proponents argued state seed funding would attract private capital and provide consistent safety systems statewide.
Opponents were not represented in hearing testimony. Senators did not vote during the session but were given project materials and asked clarifying questions about cost and regional partners.
Bottom line: Universities and economic development partners asked for targeted state funding to expand an operational drone safety and data‑sharing model that would support public‑safety and commercial drone operations; proponents said the investment would unlock private capital and job creation.
