Two drone technology companies, DMR Technologies and Drone Institute, LLC, are setting up operations at a shared facility inside of the old reptile tannery building located at 105 Dorset Avenue in Lafayette, Louisiana.
The building is approximately 89,000 square feet, with DMR Technologies occupying about 10,000 square feet. Drone Institute, LLC will operate from a separate portion of the facility, though its exact square footage has not been provided.
DMR Technologies is investing $1.4 million to open its first full-scale U.S. manufacturing facility. The Lafayette site will produce the company’s Field Ranger X50 unmanned aerial systems for the American market. The company expects to assemble between 500 and 1,000 drones in its first year of production. Over the next ten years, DMR plans to create 521 direct new jobs in the region, with average salaries well above the parish average, which lands around 85,000/year, according to our friendlies at The Advocate.
DMR’s Field Ranger X50 MSRP: $32,900
Full details on DMR: https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/news/dmr-technologies-to-launch-full-scale-u-s-drone-manufacturing-facility-in-lafayette
Drone Institute, LLC is expanding its Lafayette-based headquarters with a $340,000 investment. The company will consolidate its flight operations, data processing, and pilot training at the new location. This move is expected to generate 610 direct new jobs over the next decade while retaining current positions.
Full details on Drone Institute: https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/news/drone-institute-expands-lafayette-headquarters-to-advance-innovation-and-data-technology-creating-nearly-1400-new-job-opportunities
The building will include designated areas for drone production, testing, data processing, and training. Renovations are in progress, with both companies expected to scale operations throughout the buildout. DMR and Drone Institute will operate independently within the facility.
The project brings over $1.7 million in combined investment to Lafayette and contributes to job growth in the region. It also adds to the area’s emerging drone technology sector, which includes other local firms such as SoLA Drones and FlyGuys.
Construction on the shared facility at 105 Dorset Avenue is already underway with completion projected by July 2026. Drone Institute plans to scale commercial operations during the construction period,
For more information about DMR Technologies, visit dmrdrones.com. For job opportunity details for the Drone Institute, visit https://opportunities.ledfaststart.com/global/en/leadpage?formId=t8aoqjohlee8u0g59ol907f40u&eventScheduleId=6909f44da70e350b67aa382a
