Civil Municipal Magazine - Nov 2023

145 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 11 Today, Watsonville is home to about 53,000 residents. Its agricultural foundation is evident in its long-standing relationship with diverse communities such as the Filipinos, Mexicans, Islanders, and Croatians. These communities have historically been involved in the agricultural sector, supporting and nurturing it. René Mendez, the City Manager, shares, “At one point, there used to be a lot of apples in Watsonville before the berries, before strawberries. There were a lot of orchards,” Mendez recalls. While orchards have become a rarer sight, the city’s agricultural prowess has shifted towards berries. “If you shop at Sam’s Clubs, Costco, Targets, and the like, you’re likely buying berries from Watsonville,” he adds. Located in Santa Cruz County, Watsonville holds the distinction of being the southernmost city in the county. Another unique feature? “We are the only city that actually has an airport in Santa Cruz County,” Mendez points out. Its WATSONVI LLE , CAL I FORNIA TRAINING THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY WORKFORCE Offering 25 Career Education programs to prepare students for high-demand, high-wage local careers. Breakthroughs happen here.