Ventures, UAV program planning a groundbreaking at Kah-Nee-Ta

Part of the Confederated Tribes’ unmanned aerial systems program involves Kah-Nee-Ta Resort. The plan is for a part of the resort to be remodeled in order to serve as a training and UAS meeting area.

There is funding available for the Kah-Nee-Ta remodel, and Ventures and its UAS team are planning a ground-breaking at the resort.

This could happen later this winter or in the early spring. Aurolyn Stwyer, Ventures business development and marketing director, is coordinating the effort.

For its UAS program, the tribes are working with SOAR Oregon, an economic development group focusing on the un-manned systems industry in the state.

Recent UAS funding to SOAR is at $3 million.

There are three FAAdesignated UAS test areas in the state of Oregon: Warm Springs, Tillamook and Pendleton.

The funding would be shared among the three.

The Kah-Nee-Ta development would be an important part of the tribes’ UAS program.

This would help attract companies to the reservation. This would generate revenue, and create local job opportunities.

Three areas on the reservation are now designated for UAS testing.