On August 24, 2022, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that DroneUp, LLC, a leading innovator in drone flight services and aviation technology provider, will invest a total of $27.2 million to expand its Virginia Beach headquarters and establish a testing, training and Research and Development Center at Richard Bland College in Dinwiddie County. Virginia successfully competed with Arizona, New York, North Carolina and Texas for the projects, which will create a total of 655 new jobs.
DroneUp will invest $7 million to expand its headquarters at 160 Newtown Road in Virginia Beach, creating 510 new jobs. The company will also invest $20.2 million to create new testing, training and research and development centers for drone operators at Richard Bland College, creating 145 new jobs.
In addition to the headquarters and training center, DroneUp plans to establish three drone centers at Walmart locations in the Commonwealth this year. DroneUp recently announced a multi-year commercial services agreement with Walmart, Inc. to provide drone delivery services to 34 locations, providing the potential to reach 4 million US households by the end of the year. Walmart has a minority stake in DroneUp and a seat on its board, and in turn, DroneUp is the exclusive drone service provider to Walmart.
“This is an impressive and high-impact project for Virginia Beach, Dinwiddie County and beyond that represents a new era of technology for our society. DroneUp is at the forefront of unmanned aerial vehicle systems development,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This local Virginia company is transforming product delivery through its partnership with Walmart. We are proud to partner with DroneUp as it expands its presence in the Commonwealth and creates more than 650 cutting-edge jobs. The Commonwealth competed with multiple states for this expansion project, and I am so proud of the multifaceted effort to attract this investment to Virginia.”
“DroneUp’s expansion to Virginia Beach and the new test, training and research and development center at Richard Bland College is an exciting step forward for Virginia’s unmanned systems industry and serves as a model for partnerships in higher education and economic development,” said the minister of Commerce and Commerce Karen Merrick. “With the nation’s second-largest concentration of technology workers and world-class educational institutions, the Commonwealth is well-positioned to enable DroneUp’s continued success.”
“The DroneUp team couldn’t be happier with the support we’ve received from Governor Youngkin’s office and the Virginia community at large over the years,” said Tom Walker, Founder and CEO of DroneUp. “Virginia is our home and we are proud to continue to bring innovation, talent and economic opportunity to our great state. This investment and expansion will bring new career opportunities to our region and allow us to tap into the brightest minds around the development and design of unmanned aerial systems.”
“We are beyond thrilled that DroneUp has decided to make Virginia Beach its corporate headquarters and expand its operations, bringing more than 500 new jobs to our community,” said Virginia Beach Mayor Robert M. “Bobby” Dyer. “Their expansion is the latest shining example in our city’s history of fostering an environment where business can thrive.”
“We welcome DroneUp and their Learning Center program to Dinwiddie County,” said Harrison A. Moody, Chairman of the Dinwiddie County Board of Supervisors. “The Richard Bland College campus is the ideal location for their testing, training and research and development center and providing 145 high-quality jobs to the county represents a phenomenal opportunity for our citizens. DroneUp’s work complements Richard Bland College’s ongoing efforts to develop curriculum for an unmanned aviation program. Drone technology is cutting edge and we are proud to be a part of it.”
“Through strategic relationships with partners like DroneUp, Richard Bland College (RBC) continues to establish itself as a new model for higher education in the Commonwealth,” said President Debbie L. Sydow, Ph.D. “RBC and DroneUp share the vision of providing a world-class drone pilot training program to expand the UAS workforce in Virginia and across the country. Now the vision is becoming a reality as DroneUp prepares to welcome its first class to the Richard Bland College Drone Testing, Training and Research and Development Center.”
“This exciting announcement is a testament to Virginia’s Gateway Region, a leading logistics hub in the Commonwealth,” said Keith Boswell, president and CEO of the Virginia Gateway Region Economic Development Organization. “We look forward to the economic impact this project will bring to our seven communities as individuals and companies travel from near and far to hone their drone technology and delivery skills.”
Tobacco Commissioner Senator Joe Morrissey said, “It’s great to see an innovative technology company like DroneUp partner with Dinwiddie County and Richard Bland College to bring the future of last-mile delivery to our area while creating 145 new high-quality jobs. I am also excited to see that DroneUp will be working with Richard Bland College to instruct students in the use of drone technology, an area that will continue to develop. This is a big win for Dinwiddie County and I look forward to seeing this project succeed.”
Tobacco Commission member Coley J. Drinkwater said, “This is a great day for Dinwiddie County and I am thrilled that DroneUp has chosen to locate here and create 145 great new jobs that will have a lasting impact on our community. Dinwiddie is the perfect place to live and work and I look forward to welcoming DroneUp as our newest business partner.”
“VIPC’s relationship with DroneUp spans several years and multiple pilot programs with our Virginia Center for Unmanned Systems and funding opportunities through our Commonwealth Commercialization Fund and Virginia Venture Partners,” said Robert Stolle, President and CEO of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC). “They are a shining example of Virginia’s willingness to welcome and support innovation and job creation.”
“As an emerging industry, unmanned systems have been a priority for the Hampton Roads region for several years. We are proud to have DroneUp as a cornerstone of this industry cluster,” said Doug Smith, president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance. “DroneUp’s investment in their Virginia Beach headquarters is a testament to their innovation and rapid success in a niche market. Their expansion to other locations in Virginia shows the potential for even greater future growth. The Alliance congratulates our friends at DroneUp, the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership on this exciting win for the Commonwealth.”
“Virginia Beach is the perfect location for DroneUp to continue to be a leader in one of the fastest growing industries in the world,” said representative Elaine Luria. “When I visited DroneUp in May, we discussed how investing in technology and workforce programs is good for business and coastal Virginia. This expansion is a testament to the thriving workforce in Hampton Roads. I will continue to support businesses like DroneUp that lead in development and innovation and grow and diversify our economy in Hampton Roads.”
“It is a true and fair testament to Virginia’s pro-business climate that DroneUp has decided to invest in our Commonwealth and expand its headquarters in Virginia Beach,” said Senator Jen A. Keegans. “DroneUp’s expansion will create 510 new jobs and continue to grow this valuable industry right here in Hampton Roads. I look forward to watching their business grow and provide high quality services to our residents!”
“Virginia Beach’s 85th District is proud to serve as the home of DroneUp, a global small business,” said Delegate Karen S. Greenhalgh. “Today’s announcement of plans to expand DroneUp’s headquarters, delivering 510 new jobs, is a huge investment in our city. Virginia Beach is a great place to live and work, and we’re looking up, thanks to DroneUp!”
“I am thrilled that this innovative technology company has decided to call Virginia home,” said Representative A. Donald McEachin. “DroneUp’s expansion across our Commonwealth will create hundreds of new jobs in the communities in my area, stimulate economic activity and support other businesses in our communities. Technology is a booming industry and I look forward to seeing the impact DroneUp will have in Virginia.”
“This is a fantastic opportunity for DroneUp and the people of Virginia Beach and around Richard Bland College,” said Senator Frank Ruff. “As innovation in the world of drones continues to advance, so will the learning opportunity.”
“I am thrilled to hear the news that DroneUp is investing $20.2 million in our community and providing 145 jobs at the new training facility at Richard Bland College,” said Delegate Emily M. Brewer. “Innovative partnerships like this demonstrate how creativity in higher education can deliver incredible opportunities. This year, one of my priorities has been to streamline the budget language so that the General Assembly can lower the regulatory barriers to making this training facility happen. I am also very grateful to Governor Yangkin for promoting innovation in higher education and workforce development in our Commonwealth.”
Based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, DroneUp was founded in 2016 by Tom Walker. A privately held company, DroneUp has quickly grown from an American small business start-up to a global leader. The company works with more than 20,000 drone pilots to serve its customer portfolio and is dedicated to connecting communities with drone technology worldwide. DroneUp is recognized as a leader in innovation in drone flight services,…
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