LATEST HEADLINES
Joby receives state grant to expand facilities, create jobs
Company seeks to create 690 jobs

The crowd swarms around the first aircraft built at the Joby Aviation Pilot Production Line in Marina, in this June, 2023 photo. The aircraft is expected to become the first-ever eVTOL aircraft to be delivered to a customer. It was built on the Marina production line in close collaboration with Joby strategic partner and investor, Toyota. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald)

By ARIC SLEEPER | asleeper@santacruzsentinel.com
PUBLISHED: November 17, 2023 at 12:15 p.m. | UPDATED: November 20, 2023 at 10:15 a.m.

Loading your audio article
SANTA CRUZ — Joby Aviation announced Friday that it has recently been awarded a substantial California Competes grant to support the company’s statewide expansion.

“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,” said Joby Founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt in a statement. “Joby was founded in 2009, today employs more than 1,250 people across the state, and we’re thrilled to be able to keep growing in California as we deliver revolutionary emissions-free flight,”

According to the press release, the $9.8 million grant will help finance an expansion of the company’s Marina-based facilities, and support continued hiring at Joby’s offices in Santa Cruz and San Carlos. Through the grant award agreement, Joby has committed to creating 690 additional full-time jobs in California by 2027.

“Marina is excited that, with this CalCompetes grant, Joby will be able to expand their production capabilities at our Marina Municipal Airport, creating hundreds of new, local jobs,” said Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado. “The funding will also support Joby in expanding their research and development hub here in Marina and continue their success as a leader in the eVTOL industry.”

The grant will also help expand Joby’s existing apprenticeship program, which offers career opportunities for Salinas Valley residents with paid on-the-job training at Joby’s Marina manufacturing facility. Through the program, Joby has hired more than 30 composite fabrication, aircraft assembly, and equipment maintenance technicians.

“This grant to Joby for their planned manufacturing expansion in Marina, California affirms California’s commitment to build the future of advanced air mobility through a partnership with government, community, and industry, which I like to describe as the Marina Way, said Sen. Anna Caballero in a statement. “The Marina Way can be a model for how we solve climate, housing, and transportation challenges. The passage of my legislation, SB800, will lay out the regulatory framework for Advanced Air Mobility. I am glad to see that Advanced Air Mobility will take flight by 2025.”

On Sunday, Joby became the first company to fly an electric air taxi in New York City, which was the first time one of the company’s aircraft was flown in an urban setting. Joby expects to launch its commercial passenger service in 2025 and currently has more than 160 open positions in California.

For information and to apply, visit jobyaviation.com.