Gov. Gregoire addresses strength of state�s aerospace industry

For Immediate Release: October 7, 2008

EVERETT � Gov. Chris Gregoire today reaffirmed her commitment to help Washington�s aerospace industry grow and strengthen while speaking at the 2nd Annual Governor�s Aerospace Summit in Everett.

�I want all Washingtonians to know there isn�t a day that goes by that I don�t think about what we need to do to keep Washington�s aerospace industry healthy and growing,� Gregoire said. �During this national economic downturn, our state is extremely fortunate to have a strong aerospace sector � one that provides thousands of jobs and puts billions of dollars into our economy.�

Gregoire addressed the importance of the aerospace industry to Washington, citing recent numbers from Washington�s Office of Financial Management. According to that agency:

-Aerospace employs 86,700 jobs in Washington, with an average salary of more than $90,000;
-In 2007, the aerospace sector delivered 441 airplanes with a value of $40 billion; and
-So far this year, the aerospace industry has delivered 277 airplanes, with an order backlog of nearly 3,700 planes.

Gregoire acknowledged the need for skilled aerospace workers, and added the state is investing significant resources in community colleges and the public universities. This year, Gregoire secured an additional $3 million for aerospace worker training, and worked with private companies to create additional apprenticeships.

�In partnership with the private sector, we have more than doubled the number of apprenticeships to nearly 18,000 in the past three years,� Gregoire said. �Hundreds of them are in skilled aerospace jobs.�

Last year, Gregoire commissioned the Governor�s Council on Aerospace to design a strategic plan for growing aerospace jobs in Washington. The council is now researching other aerospace centers, the state of aerospace in Washington, and the state�s market opportunities.

At the summit, Gregoire helped present the �Aerospace Company of the Year� award to Absolute Aviation Services of Spokane. Absolute Aviation Services, which began operation in 2004, repairs electrical/electronic components and instruments for most commercial airline fleets.

The annual Governor�s Aerospace Summit, organized by the Aerospace Futures Alliance of Washington, brings together aerospace business leaders, policymakers, economic and work force development professionals, educators and other key industry stakeholders. Participants develop strategies to address work force development, business retention and recruitment, taxes, health care affordability and transportation.