Dayton Reporter

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said that Dayton’s booming aviation technology sector is the result of decades of collaboration and investment. Speaking at Sierra Nevada Corporation's expansion event, he said early efforts were critical in building the foundation for today's innovations and opportunities in the region.

“The Dayton region is now booming in the aviation technology industry, but that wasn't always the case!” Husted wrote in an Oct. 8 social media post on X. “Decades of collaboration and investments have made this possible.”

Husted was at the Sierra Nevada Corporation’s ribbon cutting and groundbreaking event in Vandalia. According to a press release, Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is expanding its Aviation Innovation and Technology Center (AITC) in the city of Dayton, marking its growth with a ribbon-cutting for a second facility and breaking ground on two more. 

These developments come after SNC secured a $13 billion U.S. Air Force contract to modernize aircraft. The facilities will support national security projects and utilize cutting-edge technologies like AI and robotics. Ohio leaders, including Governor Mike DeWine and Husted, praised the expansion, reinforcing the state's aerospace industry leadership. Completion of new hangars is expected in 2025 and 2026.

“Nearly 30 years ago I was working at the Dayton Chamber and we got together with Sinclair Community College and said Dayton is the birthplace of aviation but we don't even have an aviation maintenance program in the entire community,” Husted said. “So we built one and now there's some amazing things going on with aviation technology maintenance and integration of those digital technologies into aircraft and that leads to this. These are amazing opportunities for the Dayton region.”

According to his official bio page, Jon Husted was adopted and raised in Northwest Ohio's Williams County. He grew up with a strong foundation in faith, family, and hard work. After excelling as an All-American defensive back and earning advanced degrees from the University of Dayton, Husted contributed to economic development as vice president at the Dayton-Area Chamber of Commerce.                     

Husted's tenure as Secretary of State was marked by significant improvements in business processes, including reducing start-up costs and eliminating office fees, saving taxpayers millions. As House Speaker, he championed Ohio’s most conservative budget in decades with a historic income tax cut. Elected Lt. Governor in 2018, Husted continues to balance his public service with his roles as a husband to his wife Tina and father to their three children.