U.S. Senate passes $14 million for the UND co-led FAA UAS Center for Excellence

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By Staff reports

November 09, 2023 at 6:41 PM

GRAND FORKS – North Dakota's senators have secured $14 million in funding for the Federal Aviation Administration's unmanned aircraft system Center of Excellence, which is co-led by the University of North Dakota, through a slew of appropriations bills, U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer and Sen. John Hoeven announced Thursday, Nov. 10.

Also secured by the bills are $6 million in research grants for UAS projects conducted at test sites, including the Northern Plains unmanned aircraft system (UAS) test site in Grand Forks, and $2 million to be used for housing at Camp Grafton in Devils Lake, which will be used by service members without dependents.

The bills passed the Senate 82-15 and now go to the House for consideration. If approved by the House without changes, they will then go to President Joe Biden for consideration. If passed by the House, the funding will come from the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for the next fiscal year.

“The Senate Appropriations Committee has passed each bill, and now we’re working to debate and pass them on the Senate floor,” Hoeven. R-N.D., said in a statement. “Today, we secured passage of the Agriculture, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Transportation Appropriations bills through the full Senate. These bills advance important priorities for our farmers and ranchers, veterans and military members, as well as communities across our state.”

“Our military must train and equip the next generation of armed forces, but they need the resources and proper housing to do so,” Cramer, R-ND, said in a statement, referring to the Camp Grafton funding. “This win for North Dakota is included in the appropriations package. I encourage my colleagues in the House to pass the bill to ensure North Dakota receives the support it needs to continue spurring innovation.”

The more than $65 million in funding announced by the senators Thursday will cover many other projects across North Dakota, including:

$2 million for an agriculture policy research center at NDSU
$50 million in agriculture research funding for the state to be conducted at NDSU
Full funding for Farm Service Agency guaranteed and direct loans
$5.4 million for the future National Guard Readiness Center in Dickinson
$3.85 billion in funding for Grants-in-Aid for Airports
$348.6 million for Essential Air Service, as well as
A provision to enhance veterans' access to long-term care providers
Language encouraging the VA to continue researching hyperbaric oxygen therapy as treatment for post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury, and
Language continuing the Veterans' Pilot Training Program

By Staff reports

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