Read CMTA’s round-up of manufacturing news from July 2026. The articles below don’t reflect the views of the manufacturing industry or CMTA. They are a collection of the latest industry news from this past month.
Latest Industry News
Kratos to Manufacture Elroy Air’s Chaparral Cargo Aircraft in Sacramento
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions announced it will manufacture Elroy Air’s Chaparral autonomous cargo aircraft at its expanding Sacramento, CA production facility, growing its regional workforce by more than 50 employees.
The hybrid-electric aircraft is designed to support both commercial logistics and military resupply missions, with first production units planned for late 2026.
Read more from Sacramento Business Journal
NIST Announces Funding for California Manufacturing Extension Center
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a funding opportunity for 14 Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers to improve U.S. industrial competitiveness by helping small and medium-sized manufacturers adopt advanced manufacturing technologies.
California is slated to receive up to $15.6 million, the largest planned award of any state.
Joby and Toyota Launch Joint Venture to Scale Air Taxi Production
Joby Aviation, headquartered in Santa Cruz, CA, and Toyota Motor Corporation announced a strategic manufacturing alliance, establishing a joint venture to build up commercial production capability for Joby’s electric air taxi.
Toyota holds exclusive rights to manufacture Joby’s S4 aircraft, a deal expected to support the growth of Joby’s California operations as the company scales toward commercial production.
Cyber Enviro-Tech Secures Southern California Manufacturing Site
Cyber Enviro-Tech, together with Air Power USA, has secured a Southern California manufacturing facility to support production of Air Power’s portable power systems.
The California site will serve as the company’s initial U.S. operations center, positioning the state as the launching point for the company’s growing clean energy manufacturing footprint.
Read more from NewsNet Los Angeles
Sodium-Ion Battery Plant Coming to Sacramento’s Metro Air Park
Peak Energy will build a new sodium-ion grid storage facility in Sacramento’s Metro Air Park, representing a more than $70 million investment in Sacramento County, a seven-figure tax revenue, and about 240 new jobs.
The site sits in the industrial park near the Sacramento International Airport. Local leaders say the project reinforces Sacramento’s growing role as a hub for clean energy manufacturing in California.
MegaGen and BIOLASE Expand Manufacturing at Corona Facility
BIOLASE, a MegaGen company, announced a nearly $1 million investment to expand manufacturing infrastructure at its Corona, CA facility, including new cleanroom construction and laser room upgrades.
The investment in advanced equipment and manufacturing capabilities is intended to increase production capacity to meet demand and support scalable operations.
Bosch Secures $225 Million CHIPS Award for Roseville Semiconductor Expansion
The U.S. Department of Commerce finalized a $225 million CHIPS and Science Act award for Bosch to expand its semiconductor manufacturing facility in Roseville, CA, part of the company’s broader $2 billion investment in the site.
The project is expected to support hundreds of advanced manufacturing jobs in the Greater Sacramento region and strengthen California’s position in the national chip supply chain.
Manufacturing Policy News
Workplace AI Surveillance Limits Considered by Lawmakers
Assembly Bill 1883 would restrict employers from using certain AI tools in the workplace.
CMTA joined dozens of other business groups in opposition, with the association’s President & CEO Lance Hastings warning that the bill is “a broad brush against some technologies” that manufacturers depend on to keep their facilities and workplaces safe.
Read more from The Sacramento Bee
9th Circuit Upholds L.A.-Area Ban on Gas-Powered Appliances
A divided federal appeals court upheld a South Coast Air Quality Management District rule banning the manufacture, sale, and installation of certain gas-powered appliances, across four Los Angeles-area counties.
In a 2-1 decision, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected claims from appliance makers and trade groups that the rule conflicted with federal energy law.
California Lawmakers Push for More Transparency on Data Center Water Use
Two bills moving through the California Legislature, AB 2469 and AB 2619, would require data center developers to disclose projected and actual water use as the industry expands statewide.
Business groups argue existing law already provides sufficient transparency, while supporters point to research showing gaps in the state’s oversight.