USA Drone Port Brings High Tech Research, Jobs to Perry County

Perry County is advancing a major regional economic project with the USA Drone Port, a National Unmanned Robotic Research and Development Center designed to serve industry, government and education. The project was selected for a $1.5 million 2018 AML Pilot grant from the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement to construct a 10,000 square foot indoor drone flight testing facility and related infrastructure. An additional $743,000 2019 AML Pilot grant awarded to the Troublesome Creek Environmental Authority will extend sewer collection and add water service to the site. Both grants are administered locally through the Perry County Fiscal Court.

The center will feature a 500 foot runway and circular landing pads within Class G airspace, accommodating fixed wing aircraft including military class drones. Indoor testing capacity will operate around the clock, enabling all weather research and development for private manufacturers, government agencies and educational institutions. The campus plan includes hangars, solution shops, gigabit enabled office space, meeting areas and computer labs to support students, inventors, technicians and manufacturers.

Local leadership and institutional partners are represented on the USA Drone Port board of directors, including Scott Alexander, Perry County Judge Executive, Steve Barker, chairman of the Hazard Airport Board, Donna Roark, chief information officer of Hazard Community and Technical College, Dr. Jennifer Lindon, president of Hazard Community and Technical College, Jeff Dobson, Knott County Judge Executive, and Dr. Deronda Mobelini, executive director of the University Center of the Mountains. The Wendell H. Ford Airport is cited as a critical partner to allow clients to fly in for testing and facility use.

The project builds on Kentucky s existing aerospace strengths, with the state ranked as the second largest exporter of aerospace products. Locally, the center is positioned to create training pipelines for community college students, offer practical facilities for small manufacturers, and reduce reliance on overseas or non compliant testing sites by providing a U.S based, FAA compliant alternative. Future plans include research additions for land based and underwater drones, signaling long term diversification of the regional economy and new technical employment opportunities for Perry County.