Cortez Masto Hosts Aerospace and Defense Forum at University of Nevada, Reno

Reno, Nev. - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) hosted an Aerospace and Defense Initiative Forum at the University of Nevada, Reno with industry leaders, government agencies, and higher education stakeholders to discuss Northern Nevada's growing aerospace and defense manufacturing sectors. Forum attendees discussed how to work together to drive investment in Nevada's emerging industries, create good-paying jobs in the state, and train the next generation of workers.

"Nevada is on the cutting edge of so many technologies that are driving our economy and protecting our national security," said Senator Cortez Masto. "I want to make sure these industries have the resources they need to recruit workers, innovate, and compete on a global scale. I hope our discussion today is the first of many that will drive collaboration between leaders in the public, private, and education sectors. Together, we can keep Nevada in the driver's seat when it comes to aerospace, defense, manufacturing, and workforce training."

Through her Innovation State Initiative, Senator Cortez Masto has led efforts in Congress to support emerging technologies and industries across Nevada. She is leading a bipartisan bill to strengthen the domestic supply chain for rare-earth magnets, which are critical components of cell phones, computers, defense systems, and electric vehicles, and legislation to increase critical mineral production in the American West. She was crucial in securing the University of Nevada, Reno's designation as a Tech Hub for the critical mineral supply chain. She's met with U.S. defense and aerospace leaders in Nevada and across the world to discuss the importance of these industries to American national security. Cortez Masto has also been a strong advocate of ensuring that drone technology can be integrated safely and effectively. She fought for the authorization of Nevada as a federally designated FAA UAS test site safe and helped establish the FAA community college training program.

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