SENATOR FUNKE FROMMEYER TO ESTABLISH

AIR MOBILITY AND AVIATION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE

Lawmakers will look at this during the 2025 Interim

FRANKFORT, KY (March 7, 2025) – Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, has introduced Senate Joint Resolution 66, a measure aimed at advancing Kentucky’s role in the rapidly evolving aviation and air mobility sectors. The resolution establishes the Air Mobility and Aviation Economic Development Task Force to study innovations in aviation, assess economic opportunities, and recommend strategies to strengthen Kentucky’s position in this industry.

“Kentucky is already a powerhouse in aviation, home to two of the largest cargo airports in North America and major shipping hubs for UPS, DHL, and Amazon,” said Funke Frommeyer. “With new advancements in air mobility and aerospace, we have an opportunity to further cement our leadership in this sector and create high-quality jobs.”

Kentucky’s aviation industry plays a significant role in the state’s economy, with a recent study from the Kentucky Transportation Center reporting a $23.7 billion total economic output from the state’s airports, over $1 billion in tax revenues, and 116,000 full-time and part-time jobs generating $8 billion in personal income.

The task force will focus on several key areas, including:

  • Innovations in aviation and advanced air mobility that may impact Kentucky’s air travel needs;

  • Actions taken by other states to support advanced air mobility and aviation-related industries;

  • Kentucky’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities in attracting aerospace economic development;

  • Policy recommendations to support growth in aviation and air mobility within the Commonwealth.

The task force will be composed of members from the Legislature, the Commissioner of the Department of Aviation, representatives from commercial and general aviation airports, and leaders from the aviation industry.

Meetings will be held during the 2025 Interim, with findings and recommendations submitted to the Legislative Research Commission by December 1, 2025.

“The aviation industry is changing fast, and Kentucky must be proactive in shaping its future,” Funke Frommeyer added. “SJR 66 ensures we are making the right investments and policy decisions to drive innovation, expand economic opportunities, and improve transportation for all Kentuckians.”

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Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, represents the 24th Senate District, including Bracken, Campbell, and Pendleton Counties and part of Kenton County. Frommeyer serves as vice chair of the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee and co-chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary. She is also a member of the Legislative Research Commission 2024-26 Budget Preparation and Submission, and Senate Committees on Appropriations and Revenue, Agriculture; and Families and Children. Additionally, Frommeyer is co-chair of Capital Projects and Bond Oversight, and Public Pension Oversight Board and Workforce Attraction and Retention Task Force member.

Visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate124.jpg  for a high-resolution .jpeg of Funke Frommeyer.