Joby Aviation has acquired a facility at Dayton International airport to be fitted out to support initial manufacturing operations, which are expected to begin later this year, and has begun hiring.

The facility will be used for the manufacturing of aircraft parts in support of Joby's pilot production line in Marina, California. This acquisition is the first step in the company's plan to develop facilities capable of building up to 500 aircraft per year in Dayton, which is expected to include the design and construction of a larger greenfield factory.

"We're pleased to be able to acquire an under-utilised facility at Dayton International airport and repurpose it as a modern, high-tech manufacturing centre to serve as our initial manufacturing footprint in the region. Later this year, we expect to begin subtractive manufacturing of titanium and aluminium aircraft parts as we continue to grow our workforce in Dayton," says president Didier Papadopoulos. "I am deeply appreciative to the Dayton community and Ohio more broadly for the warm welcome we have received as well as the high level of interest in joining our team. We look forward to continued collaboration and to growing our presence in the Miami Valley region as we build the future of flight in the birthplace of aviation."

Joby plans to invest up to $500 million and create up to 2,000 high-quality, clean manufacturing jobs in the region.