Grant for drone company set to anchor McGinness Innovation Park falls through

An anticipated grant for the drone company set to anchor McGinness Innovation Park has not been approved.

During the October 24 Columbia Borough Council meeting, Councilwoman Sharon Lintner inquired about the progress of DR1's SMART Grant application. (DR1 Group is a drone company looking to develop an aerial-technology business in the McGinness Innovation Park and is expected by borough officials to become a major endeavor there.)

In an update, Borough Manager Mark Stivers revealed that the grant application submitted last year was denied, because the proposal was deemed "too broad." 

The grant has now been resubmitted with a more refined focus. Instead of solely emphasizing the use of drones exclusively for long-distance purposes, the new proposal centers on urgent delivery of medical supplies, specifically AED units, to remote areas.

It is anticipated that a decision on the grant will be made early next year, according to Stivers. 

Background: According to the October 25, 2022 meeting minutes, council voted to authorize Columbia Borough to partner with DR1 and the Lancaster EDC to apply for a SMART grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the first phase of developing the drone program at the McGinness Innovation Park.