| Is Joby Aviation nearing the dream of scaled-up manufacturing in Dayton, a goal first announced in September 2023? The pre-revenue company first announced its Dayton manufacturing plans on the lawn of Orville Wright’s former home. The announcement turned heads globally. Progress since then, however, has been slow. Former Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Gov. Mike DeWine with Joby Aviation Inc. founder JoeBen Bevirt at Hawthorn Hill in Oakwood after Joby announced on Sept. 18, 2023 the company's pledge to bring thousands of jobs to the region near Dayton International Airport. MARSHALL GORBY/STAFF In this newsletter: Why the movement of a Wright-Patterson Air Force Base fence is a big deal.How voters decided to let the state spend more on infrastructure. How windy was that March wind storm? Joby Aviation hails ‘momentum’ toward Dayton manufacturing Joby test pilot James Denham flying a Joby aircraft above the companys facilities in Marina, Calif. Photo: Joby Aviation The situation: Leaders of electric air vehicle manufacturer Joby Aviation Inc. reported “momentum” toward Dayton production as they discussed the company’s net loss of $82.4 million in the first quarter of 2025. What the CEO said: “The facility in Ohio is also coming along really, really well,” said JoeBen Bevirt. “This is a facility we purchased. And the team has done retrofits on it and we’re now installing the tooling and equipment, and we’re really excited to see parts starting to come out of that facility in the months to come.” Read the story. Wright-Patterson fence work signals start to Synergy’s ‘Convergence’ An artist's conception of the planned Convergence Research Center off National Road, to be made possible by a new federal "Enhanced Use Lease." Dayton Development Coalition image Fence work on Wright-Patterson’s Area B is a signal that physical work for Synergy and Mills’ “Convergence Research Park” is nearing. The situation: Shifting of a fence line has started near the Air Force Institute of Technology, National Road, and Air Force Research Laboratory Facility 620 on Wright-Patterson, the 88th Air Base Wing recently said. The significance: This work marks the start of an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) development, tied to Synergy and Mills Development’s plans for eight commercial buildings over the next 10 years on nearly 44 acres across two parcels, known as Hilltop and Gerlaugh farms. Read the latest story. Read about the first announcement. Wind storm caused nearly $3M in damages A photograph of the facade of the vacant building at 34 N. Main St. in downtown Dayton. CONTRIBUTED The damage: Stratacache Tower sustained more than $1 million in damage in the March wind storm that ripped an upper parapet from an adjacent downtown Dayton building, Chris Riegel, Stratacache founder and CEO, recently told us. The upshot: “I think it is safe to say that Dayton needs a strategic plan to manage these buildings and to remove unused or decaying old office infrastructure in the city,” Riegel said. “Without a doubt, that’s a problem, and it’s a problem that has to be addressed.” Read the story. Earlier: City says it had no warning on building’s condition. Voters approve Issue 2, boosting borrowing power The Lamme Road bridge over Holes Creek is deteriorating and is scheduled to be replaced the Spring of 2023. JIM NOELKER/STAFF Credit: JIM NOELKER What happened: Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment to let the state issue up to $2.5 billion in bonds for infrastructure improvements. What it means: The bonds can be used only on roads, bridges, water treatment and supply systems and solid waste disposal facilities, according to a nonpartisan analysis. The state first issued a lump sum of general obligation bonds to fund this kind of work in 1987. The approach has now been approved by voters four times. Issue 2 was the largest such ask in state history. Read the story. Where are Huber Heights projects headed? An aerial photo of The Rose Music Center in Huber Heights in April 2023. Interstate 70 is on the left. JIM NOELKER/STAFF Credit: JIM NOELKER The landscape: In the past three years, at least six major development projects have been proposed for the section of Executive Boulevard area of Huber Heights that spans from the intersection of Brandt Pike west toward the industrial-commercial district just northeast of Interstate 70. Where development plans stand: Just two of these projects have come to fruition: A Sheetz gas station opened last summer on the corner of Brandt and Executive, and a new Warped Wing restaurant/brewery location a year prior, just west of the Rose. Read the story. Contact me: Thanks for being here. Tell me about your business at tom.gnau@coxinc.com or at X and Bluesky. I’m also on LinkedIn and on our Dayton Business page, with my colleagues. Find me as well on my own Facebook page here. Quick hits Is someone building an ark? Rainfall record falls. Election results: You decide, we report. Centerville restaurant closes: New one on the way. Centerville restaurant opens: Courtesy of J. Thomas & Co. DG Market: Approved for site near Austin Boulevard. | 