Beta Technologies is to partner with Clinton County on a $41 million expansion of its existing facility at Plattsburgh International airport, the manufacturing and final assembly hub for its all-electric aircraft. A permanent flight test and aircraft delivery centre will also be established, for final flight testing, aircraft painting and customer delivery at this busy North Country transit hub. Beta's expansion in Plattsburgh will deepen the company's commitment to developing one-of-a-kind aerospace technology in New York State, strengthen the North Country's reputation as a modern transportation hub and build on NY State governor Kathy Hochul's continued investments to support clean transportation and a greener economy. As part of the agreement to expand operations, Beta has committed to creating 85 full time jobs in exchange for a $20 million grant.

Founder and CEO Kyle Clark says: "New York State has a strong workforce and a track record of leadership when it comes to supporting and enabling next-generation transportation. At Beta, we're focused on making aviation cleaner and more efficient for the future, and that requires a number of pieces including technology, infrastructure and a capable workforce. We've been developing, flying and maintaining our electric aircraft at Plattsburgh International airport since 2017, and in that time we've been overwhelmed by the State and County's support of our vision. From policymakers to schools and small businesses, we've found resonance here and look forward to doubling down to accelerate our growth and operations to create more quality jobs in the state."

For the past five years, Beta's flight test centre at Plattsburgh has served as the point of origin for most of its innovative technology, ensuring many of the company's largest flight milestones have been completed in New York State. Its longest recorded flight of an electric aircraft spanned 336 nautical miles, from Jamestown to Plattsburgh. Beta has secured firm orders from top global operators including UPS, United Therapeutics, Bristow, LCI, Blade and Helijet, and has multiphase contracts with the US Air Force and Army.

"If you're looking for the jobs of the future, come to New York. This expansion of Beta Technologies in Plattsburgh is exactly the kind of growth and innovation that's supercharging New York's economy for the 21st century," says governor Hochul.

Beta's all-electric aircraft generates zero operational emissions, can be recharged in under an hour with Beta chargers and has been designed to optimise payload capacity and range. Beta is creating a nation-wide electric charging network that is also compatible with electric vehicles. The company has installed aircraft charging stations at 15 US locations and has 55 more sites across the country in production, at Elmira, White Plains, Republic, Hudson Valley Regional and Albany International airports. It plans to continue expanding across the country.

Beta is partnering with local schools and other businesses to grow jobs and develop the workforce in Clinton County and beyond. It partners with universities, participating in career fairs and facilitating student design challenges for academic programmes like Authentic STEM, and is working with Champlain Valley Educational School to develop curriculums and courses to prepare students for future careers in advanced manufacturing and electric aviation.