Document d76pVDNzERYbMKzK1OGy01J5

BERNIE MORENO OHIO March 4, 2025 lnitcd tatcs gIcnatc WASHINGTON, DC 20510 The Honorable Sean Duffy Secretary of U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 Committees BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN AFFAIRS BUDGET COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS Dear Secretary Duffy, I am writing in support for DriveOhio and the Ohio Department of Transportation's Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies (CAAT) FAA RFI response (Ohio Vision for the Future of Aviation). Known as the "Birthplace of Aviation," Ohio has long been a leader in the aerospace and aviation industries and has made significant investments in advanced aviation research, testing, and demonstration. Ohio's robust aviation and aerospace ecosystem features: 580+ aerospace companies, including Joby's $500 million facility in Dayton and Anduril Industries $1 billion hyperscale manufacturing facility in central Ohio 3rd largest manufacturing workforce in the United States with 130,000 aviation/aerospace jobs 54+ higher education institutions supporting aerospace Additionally, Ohio can save the FAA more than $50 million by using the newly built state-of-the- art National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE) facility at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport instead of a new build. With an additional 55,000 sq. ft. expansion already planned, the NAAMCE can accommodate all future needs while beginning operations immediately. Ohio is the model for federal, state, and local cross-sector collaboration. DriveOhio, an initiative of the Ohio Department of Transportation, was created as the statewide center for the advancement of smart mobility specifically to facilitate this type of alliance, uniquely positioning Ohio to host the FAA's CAAT. FAA CAAT funding would dramatically accelerate Ohio's existing research, testing, and demonstration timeline, increasing capacity to address technology, infrastructure, and investment gaps in a sustainable, scalable way. I strongly encourage the FAA to consider Ohio's response and ensure the future of aviation takes flight from the state that started it all. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno OST-2025-1200 Page 02033 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0027914