ZeroAvia, a company that originated as a startup seven years ago, has been awarded a $4.23 million grant by the Federal Aviation Administration to advance clean electric propulsion technology in Everett. This grant is part of a larger $38 million funding for sustainable aviation projects in Washington state, aimed at achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector by 2050. ZeroAvia plans to utilize this funding to expand its operations at the new Propulsion Center of Excellence near Paine Field, with expectations to hire hundreds of employees. The company, which currently employs around 300 people globally, intends to certify hydrogen-based propulsion systems for airplanes with up to 80 seats in the coming years. ZeroAvia's technology revolves around using renewable hydrogen stored in tanks to power electric motors in airplanes, resulting in water vapor as the only byproduct during flight. The initiative has received positive support from key figures like Gov. Jay Inslee and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, emphasizing the importance of investing in sustainable aviation for reducing emissions and creating job opportunities.