Task Force Provides Recommendations to Strengthen Kentucky’s Aviation Industry

The Air Mobility and Aviation Economic Development Task Force released its final report this week ahead of the 2026 legislative session, outlining priorities to strengthen Kentucky’s aviation and aerospace sectors. The recommendations focus on modernizing infrastructure, expanding the aviation workforce pipeline, and preparing the Commonwealth for emerging opportunities such as alternative aviation fuels (AAF) and advanced air mobility (AAM).

Led by co-chairs Rep. Stephanie Dietz and Sen. Brandon Storm, the task force met during the 2025 interim session to hear from industry leaders, higher education institutions, and aviation partners from across the state. Kentucky Chamber members from diverse industries provided testimony, and many of their workforce and infrastructure priorities are reflected in the final recommendations.

“The Kentucky Chamber thanks co-chairs Representative Dietz and Senator Storm and all task force members for their leadership in completing this important work. Their recommendations recognize the strategic importance of aviation and aerospace to Kentucky’s economy, and the real potential to expand opportunity through alternative aviation fuel,” said Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts.

The report underscored aviation’s substantial economic footprint in Kentucky, highlighted growing workforce needs across key aviation occupations, and emphasized the importance of updated energy, data, and fuel systems to support future industry demands. It also identifies both AAM and AAF as areas where Kentucky can strengthen its long-term competitiveness.

The recommendations by the Air Mobility and Aviation Economic Development Task Force include:

• The General Assembly should continue monetary support for aviation in commercial and general aviation airports and seek to reduce audit requirement redundancies for general aviation airports that are required to perform audits for the FAA.
• The General Assembly should support education initiatives by expansion of post-secondary aviation programs, K-12 education and outreach, and developing more aircraft mechanic technician (AMT) programs throughout the Commonwealth.
• The General Assembly should continue to support and fund the Kentucky Aerospace, Aviation, and Defense Investment Fund, known as the AERO Act, with a capital investment of $15 million and encourage aviation programs and aviation industry partners to apply for grants under the AERO Act.
• The General Assembly should help fund and support EKU in their work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish an Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program within the School of Aviation with a one-time capital investment of $5 million and an annual investment of $1.5 million thereafter.
• The General Assembly should support the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) in their ongoing efforts to expand aviation education programs and help fund the purchase of new aviation equipment.
• The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, in conjunction with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, should, with an investment of $500,000, study the infrastructure needs for the aviation industry and identify gaps in electricity, fuel, data use and storage, charging ports, land availability, and other necessary utilities as the industry progresses.
• The General Assembly should support, investigate, and consider investment in alternative aviation fuel production, refining, and transportation.
• The General Assembly should develop a strategic plan and pass legislation for the implementation, regulation, and use of AAM vehicles.
• The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet should coordinate together to promote Kentucky’s aviation industry, bring AAM businesses to the Commonwealth, and develop a cohesive aviation plan around AAM vehicles.
• The General Assembly should consider extending the work of the Air Mobility & Aviation Economic Development Task Force into the 2026 interim to continue to study and invest in this critical industry.

Stay tuned to The Bottom Line for updates throughout the 2026 session.