Destroying Montana’s drone industry will cost jobs

Our neighboring states of North Dakota and Idaho, whose combined airspace is second only to Montana’s, have become tech hubs for drones. The states’ University systems and private industry are seeing great benefit from drone development in the form of cash and economic diversification and growth. That means high tech jobs for local kids when they graduate college and more money into the local economy through cutting edge industry. Laws like SB 170 can kill these opportunities.

Rather than banning or severely limiting drone flights for Realtors, hobbyists, and school kids working on science projects; our Legislature can find more reasonable and enforceable privacy rules that would protect our citizens while still welcoming millions and billions of dollars in investment to our state.

Instead of bowing to drone hysteria born of ignorance, let’s work towards realistic enforceable solutions that will keep Montana on the cutting edge of a high-flying, high-tech industry. If other states have addressed drone related privacy issues without banning drones, surely Montana can too.

PEPPER PETERSEN

Full Story: http://helenair.com/news/opinion/guest/destroying-montana-s-drone-industry-will-cost-jobs/article_fd09d8dd-e4dd-5bb7-9cbe-979121e6d51c.html