In late September, Watsonville Municipal Airport Director Rayvon Williams was named as this year’s Michael A. Shutt Award recipient.
Then on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will distribute $83,575 to the airport for a zero-emissions vehicle and infrastructure project.
Recipients of the Association of California Airports’ Shutt award are selected through a thorough evaluation process, with several panel members from across the industry making the final decision.
The award was created to recognize the efforts of a person or organization that has contributed to the growth and development of California airports.
“We look forward to witnessing even greater accomplishments from Rayvon in the future,” Watsonville City Manager René Mendez said. “We also want to recognize the hard work and dedication of the entire airport team, as this award reflects the collective efforts of our organization.”
The funding from the FAA comes from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which supports the planning and development of public-use airports. The money comes from the agency’s Airport and Airway Trust Fund, which is supported by user fees, fuel taxes and other similar revenue sources.
“As we face climate change challenges and crumbling infrastructure, we must continue to invest in clean-energy projects,” Lofgren stated in a press release. “This federal funding will help protect our environment and ensure the Watsonville Municipal Airport can continue to serve our community.”
