BISMARCK, N.D. (May 3, 2019) – State leaders will join Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford on Monday for the ceremonial bill signing of House Bill 1018, which authorizes a $33 million investment in the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry, a majority of which will be used to build out infrastructure to support beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations for UAS across North Dakota.
The $33 million investment includes $28 million for a statewide BVLOS infrastructure network, $3 million to upgrade infrastructure at Grand Sky business development park and more than $2 million to support operations of the Northern Plains UAS Test Site in Grand Forks. With this new commitment, North Dakota will have invested approximately $77 million to advance UAS research and development within the state.
Burgum, Sanford, Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer and other state leaders will make brief remarks before the bill signing. Officials also will discuss details of the statewide network and next steps.
What: Signing ceremony for HB 1018
Who: Gov. Burgum, Lt. Gov. Sanford, Commissioner Kommer and other state leaders
When: 9 a.m. CT Monday, May 6
Where: Northern Plains UAS Test Site, University of North Dakota, 4201 James Ray Drive, Grand Forks, N.D.