BETA awarded $20m grant by State of New York

BETA Technologies is being awarded a $20m grant by the State of New York, governor Kathy Hochul announced today.

The grant — awarded on the basis it creates 85 full-time jobs — will part-fund a $41m expansion of BETA’s existing facility at Plattsburgh International Airport conducted in partnership with Clinton County. The upgraded facility will serve as the manufacturing and final assembly hub for BETA’s electric aircraft. The firm will also establish a permanent flight test and aircraft delivery centre, for final flight testing, aircraft painting and customer delivery.

The grant is being awarded through Empire State Development’s Regional Economic and Community Assistance Program. 

“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,” Governor Hochul said. “From the North Country to Central New York to New York City, my Administration is making transformative investments that create jobs, expand opportunity and grow our economy in every region of the state.” 

For the past five years, BETA’s flight test centre in Plattsburgh has been the point of origin for most of its technology. The OEM has now secured firm orders from global operators including UPS, United Therapeutics, Bristow, LCI, Blade and Helijet. It also has multiphase contracts with the US Air Force and Army. 

BETA Founder and CEO Kyle Clark said: “New York State has a strong workforce and a track record of leadership when it comes to supporting and enabling next-generation transportation.

“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,” he said.

BETA is also partnering with local schools and businesses to assist the workforce in Clinton County and beyond. It partners with universities like Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Clarkson University and is working with Champlain Valley Educational School to develop curriculums and courses to prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing and electric aviation. 

Champlain Valley Educational Services Director of Career and Technical Education Michele Friedman said: “The CV-TEC Division of CVES is delighted to be in partnership with BETA Technologies on innovative and ground-breaking training programs that unlock unique opportunities and career paths. Our North Country CV-TEC students are extraordinarily talented, and it gives us great pride to showcase and connect their talents with industry innovators such as BETA Technologies.”

New York State has pledged to invest more than $1bn in zero emissions vehicles over the next five years. It also requires all new passenger cars, pickup trucks and SEVs sold in the state to be zero emissions by 2035.

State Senator Dan Stec said: “BETA is at the cutting edge of electric aviation and technology, and the Plattsburgh facility has proven to be crucial in the company’s research and development. This new expansion will further those efforts and expand opportunity and development in the North Country. Our region has a great deal of economic potential, and partnerships with companies like BETA are crucial in turning that potential into careers and long-term growth.”