State grant supports ZeroAvia project at Paine Field

The Washington State Department of  Commerce awarded a $350,000 economic development grant to support ZeroAvia’s site selection at  Paine Field, Snohomish County. Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) requested the funds  which will be invested into converting a warehouse building to office and research and development  space.  

ZeroAvia has developed the leading hydrogen-electric powertrain propulsion technology for aviation,  and as part of its research and development, has flown the world’s largest commercial-scale  hydrogen-electric aircraft. At this county-owned site in Everett, the company will leverage its $5.5  million refurbishment budget to occupy facilities and prepare the site for their launch team of 20  design and software engineers supporting important strands of its development of the ZA2000  powertrain for a De Havilland DHC-8-400 (Q400) aircraft in conjunction with Alaska Airlines. 

The company has chosen to locate its third research and development site in Snohomish County,  where more than 500 companies comprise the aerospace cluster. The county’s cluster produces more  than $60 billion in annual revenues and supports 159,000 direct and induced jobs.  

ZeroAvia recently announced a $35 million commitment from investors including United Airlines and  Alaska Air Group, building on earlier investments from Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Bill Gates’  Breakthrough Energy Ventures and others.  

“Our state’s clean energy and clean aviation future just got stronger. This project is an important part  of Snohomish County’s continuing efforts to maintain a competitive edge and strengthen the  community with good jobs in the aerospace industry of the future. It enables advances in  manufacturing and exploring opportunities for cleaner aircraft fuel,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. 

“Meaningful support for innovation is key to transforming our legacy industries and accelerating  growth of new clusters that will keep Washington’s statewide and regional economies vibrant for years  to come,” said Commerce Director Lisa Brown. 

“Paine Field was an obvious choice for us. Working from this location, ZeroAvia is well positioned  among one of the most talented aerospace and clean energy communities worldwide,” said Val  Miftakhov, ZeroAvia founder. “We conducted a national search to locate our third R&D site. Given the  age of the facility we will be occupying, this grant closed a gap related to facility construction and we  are excited to engage in this community.”  

Targeting 500 nautical mile trips initially, ZeroAvia’s engine technology can address the needs of nearly  half of worldwide flight departures with hydrogen-electric propulsion systems. The company has  secured experimental certificates for two prototype aircraft from the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority  (CAA) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), passed significant flight test milestones, and  is on track for commercial operations in 2024.  

“ZeroAvia is exactly the type of company that Snohomish County wants to attract, because they are  innovators, job-creators, part of our growing green economy, and the reason we are the aerospace  capital of the world,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “This addition to our aerospace  cluster at Paine Field will help expand our already impressive cutting edge base of technology  companies. We welcome ZeroAvia to Snohomish County and wish them every success, since their  success helps us reach our long-term economic development and environmental sustainability goals.”  

EASC, the county’s economic development authority, will administer the Governor’s Strategic Reserve  Fund (SRF) investment on behalf of the state. The SRF is an important business recruitment, retention  and expansion tool for Washington state. Funds can be used in several ways including workforce  development, technical, planning or relocation assistance, and environmental analysis.  

“Many advanced manufacturing sectors are interested in locating to Snohomish County to leverage  the existing talent.” said Garry Clark, EASC President & CEO. “Our organization works as advocates and  problem solvers for companies of all types and sectors, either expanding in this community or looking  for a new home. EASC’s team credits the business-friendly policies, large and experienced  manufacturing workforce and desirable quality of life for its success in in attracting new companies  to the county.”