Boccieri believes Valley can be manufacturing hub for aerospace technology

YOUNGSTOWN — On the heels of the Federal Aviation Administration’s release of finalized rules for unmanned aircraft systems last week, State Rep. John Boccieri, a military and commercial pilot, said that the federal government’s support for innovation in this growing industry can help Northeast Ohio bolster its production and maintenance of aerospace technology.

The Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Technology Committee, a state committee organized to help promote the aerospace industry, heard last Thursday from small businesses and manufacturers who envision Ohio as a thriving hub for unmanned aircraft research and production.

“I’d like to see the Mahoning Valley position itself for future development in this growing industry,” said Boccieri of Poland, D-59th. “The Youngstown Incubator has a reputation for helping small startup companies and the market for commercial use of unmanned aircraft is about to explode. There is real potential here.”