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SkyDrive, local leaders to gather for first time in South Carolina to discuss ‘flying car’ initiative

Jason Thomas //April 25, 2023//

SkyDrive, local leaders to gather for first time in South Carolina to discuss ‘flying car’ initiative

Jason Thomas //April 25, 2023//

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In January, SkyDrive, a Japanese electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft manufacturer headquartered in Toyota, Japan, announced during a symposium in Arizona its plans to enter the U.S. market and establish its home base in Beaufort County. (Photo/SkyDrive)

Japan-based SkyDrive Inc. and local economic development leaders for the first time will gather in The Palmetto State to reveal details of the company’s launch in South Carolina.

The event will take place May 23 at the North Charleston Business Expo presented by the Charleston Regional Business Journal and the city of North Charleston. During a panel discussion at the Charleston Area Convention Center, William Fugate, U.S. business development manager for SkyDrive; John O’Toole, executive director of the Beaufort County Economic Development Corp.; and Frank Murray, director of planning and facilities at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, will discuss SkyDrive’s entry into the U.S. market via South Carolina.

Click here to register for the North Charleston Business Expo.  

In January, SkyDrive, a Japanese electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft manufacturer headquartered in Toyota, Japan, announced during a symposium in Arizona its plans to enter the U.S. market and establish its home base in Beaufort County.

SkyDrive, which is developing a commercial “flying car,” has outlined its plan to develop an advanced air mobility ecosystem in South Carolina while focusing on building a variety of practical use cases originating from two of its key airports in cooperation with local and state government agencies.

Details of what the development of that ecosystem entails will be a focus of the panel discussion at the North Charleston Business Expo.

SkyDrive’s focus has been on working with South Carolina to study practical use cases originating from several of its major airports utilizing the Japanese manufacturer’s eVTOL aircraft, the SD-052.

In addition to the power lunch event, the North Charleston Business Expo will also feature a morning panel discussion about the evolution of South Carolina’s supply chain and navigating today’s landscape.

The event will feature Joel Britt, vice president of terminal operations at the South Carolina Ports Authority; Taylor Jackson, director of SC Logistics for the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness; and Daniel Schlegel, vice president of customer service and operations for Kion North America.

Prior to the power lunch event, the Small Business Development Centers will present its Entrepreneur of the Year award.

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