The Federal Aviation Administration named the Silver State one of a half-dozen authorized test sites for the commercial development of unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs. (Nevada’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Industry)

 

Other states picked were Alaska, New York, North Dakota, Texas and Virginia. The winners now get an early start — along with the federal government’s lucrative seal of approval — to cash in on the vision of drones in U.S. skies alongside piloted aircraft.

 

This is a new and emerging industry (commercial) where the state of Nevada is going to be an anchor tenant. It gives citizens a tremendous opportunity to be on the ground floor of something that is going to be part of the future of the aviation industry. 

 

State officials say the new industry could provide well-paying jobs for 15,000 Nevadans, plus thousands more in feeder industries, and help diversify the state’s struggling economy. The selection represents an imminent economic impact of $2.5 billion to $8 billion annually. Within a decade, the industry could generate $100 billion per year. The FAA Comprehensive PLan...