SkySkopes’ pilots have been deployed to Houston for flood disaster relief.

SkySkopes President Matt Dunlevy told the Minot City Council Tuesday the use of unmanned aerial systems for disaster assistance is a new concept, and his company will be bringing knowledge gained back to Minot.

The company was before the council with a request backed by the MAGIC Fund Screening Committee to revise the equipment to be purchased with a previously approved MAGIC Fund forgivable loan of $375,100. Dunlevy explained the new equipment will be better and less expensive. SkySkopes also plans to bring more equipment to Minot than originally proposed but is not asking for more funding assistance to do so, he said.

SkySkopes currently has one employee, its chief financial officer, living in Minot. Pilots use the Minot base to service the oil and gas fields with drone technology. Dunlevy said more employees are expected to locate in Minot.

Under its agreement with the MAGIC Fund, SkySkopes must employ three full-time employees at its Minot office by July 2018, seven by July 2019 and 15 by July 2020.

Dunlevy announced SkySkopes has obtained $500,000 in equity funding, ahead of the contracted December deadline to do so. The company is required to make $1.1 million in additional investments by July 2020.