SunTrax Named Florida’s Home for Advanced Air Mobility, Positioning Polk as Statewide Innovation Leader

Polk County is entering a new era of technological and economic advancement with the announcement that SunTrax—Florida’s premier transportation technology testing facility—has been officially designated as the home of the state’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) program. Governor Ron DeSantis recently shared the news, affirming that Polk County will serve as the launchpad for emerging aerial transportation systems that are poised to reshape mobility across Florida.

This milestone cements Polk County’s role as a central hub for innovation, workforce development, and next-generation infrastructure.

A Transformative Expansion for SunTrax

SunTrax, located in Auburndale, has already gained national attention as a controlled environment for testing autonomous and connected vehicle technologies. Its new designation as Florida’s AAM headquarters significantly broadens that scope.

The expansion will introduce:

• Two purpose-built vertiports for aircraft development, testing, takeoff, and landing
• A dedicated low-altitude airspace corridor for safe and regulated aerial operations
• A new passenger terminal, research hangars, and maintenance facilities
• Charging systems tailored to electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft
• Training infrastructure designed to support AAM pilots, technicians, and operations personnel

With these upgrades, SunTrax will become one of the nation’s most comprehensive testbeds for advanced aerial mobility—right at the heart of Polk County.

Catalyzing Economic Growth and Competitiveness

The AAM expansion is expected to spark significant economic growth throughout Polk County and the broader Central Florida region. As new technologies move from concept to commercialization, SunTrax will attract aviation manufacturers, software developers, research institutions, and advanced training providers seeking to partner within a thriving innovation ecosystem.

Industry experts anticipate that the project will generate a wave of high-skill, high-wage job opportunities—from aerospace engineering and robotics to maintenance, logistics, and airspace management. These roles will support not only the development and testing of eVTOL aircraft, but also the entire supply chain required to sustain a first-in-the-nation AAM hub.

Expanding Research, Technology & Innovation

Local educational institutions—including Polk State College and Florida Polytechnic University—are poised to benefit as well. Expanded research partnerships, workforce training programs, and internship pipelines will help prepare students for emerging careers in advanced aviation and autonomous systems. This alignment between education and industry is expected to elevate Polk County’s talent profile and strengthen its long-term competitiveness.

Positioning Florida as a Mobility Pioneer

With SunTrax at the helm of Florida’s statewide AAM program, the state is positioning itself as a global leader in future transportation. The facility will support testing protocols, develop operational standards, and collaborate with agencies such as the Florida Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to shape the regulatory framework governing this new frontier.

The announcement also coincides with the launch of Phase 1 of Florida’s new aerial mobility network, which will establish the state’s first designated Advanced Air Mobility corridor. This initial Central Florida route will originate at SunTrax and extend across the region, creating a controlled pathway for testing, validating, and eventually operating eVTOL aircraft. Phase 1 marks a foundational step in building a connected statewide aerial network—one that begins in Polk County and positions Florida at the forefront of next-generation transportation.

The work accomplished in Polk County will influence how eVTOL aircraft integrate into urban and regional transportation networks—improving travel efficiency, reducing road congestion, and expanding emergency response capabilities. Ultimately, the innovations demonstrated at SunTrax will help define how Floridians and visitors move throughout the state in the decades to come.

A Vision Taking Flight

SunTrax’s expansion marks a defining moment for Polk County—one that blends world-class research, bold infrastructure investments, and economic opportunity. By serving as the home of Florida’s Advanced Air Mobility program, Polk is not just welcoming the future of transportation; it is helping to build it.

As construction begins and new partners join the initiative, the county stands ready to lead Florida into the next era of mobility, innovation, and prosperity.