Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 16, 2003
Contact:  Kirsten Kendrick, Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136;
Alt Contact:  Sharon Wallace, Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, 360-725-4019

Gov. Gary Locke Pledges to Do ‘Whatever It Takes’ to Win Final Assembly of Boeing 7E7

Gov. Gary Locke today pledged to do whatever it takes to win final assembly of The Boeing Company’s 7E7 next generation aircraft. The company released its criteria for final assembly of the 7E7, after top Boeing officials briefed the governor this morning.

Locke was joined at a news conference today by House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle; Martha Choe, director of the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development; and Paul Isaki, the governor’s special assistant for business.

“We want to win the Boeing 7E7 final assembly,” Locke said. “We want to continue being home to the world’s best commercial airplanes. We want those jobs. And we are confident that we are the best choice for Boeing.

“The best airplane assembly workforce in the world lives and works here,” Locke said. “The best aerospace engineers on the planet live and work here. Our people are well trained, highly skilled and experienced. We’re also motivated. We’re proud of our Boeing heritage. We want to continue our winning streak with another great Boeing airplane.”

Boeing’s top criteria include:
· Transportation
· Facilities
· Total cost of doing business
· Workforce
· Environmental considerations
· Community support
· Additional infrastructure issues

The governor said the list includes many of the issues that Washington is already working on or has already completed. He stressed action that he and lawmakers have taken this legislative session on top Boeing priorities, including:

· Passing a transportation-improvement package, which the governor will sign into law Monday;
· Signing shorelines legislation (May 15) to help secure a rail-barge facility to expand Boeing’s operations in Everett;
· Signing legislation that allows the third runway project at SeaTac Airport to move forward;
· Signing legislation that establishes a permanent funding source for the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB), which helps fund infrastructure for economic development in rural areas;
· Signing tuition flexibility legislation giving state colleges and universities greater flexibility in tuition-setting authority to ensure that they can continue to produce new engineers that will become future knowledge workers for Boeing and other technology industries; and
· Signing use tax correction legislation that clarifies use tax exemptions that complement existing sales tax exemptions for repairs on industrial equipment.

Locke also stressed the state is committed to addressing the issues of unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation in special session, once business and labor have reached agreement.

The governor said his office will lead the effort to win the 7E7 final assembly. “We will work closely with county, city, private sector, labor and legislative leaders, as well as the state departments of Community, Trade and Economic Development, and Ecology,” he said. “This will be a coordinated, all-out, statewide effort.”

Locke’s office is part of the Five Corner Boeing Working Group, which also includes key legislators appointed by leaders of the four caucuses who will spearhead legislative actions necessary for Washington to submit the most competitive proposal for the 7E7 final assembly.

Choe said her agency is also prepared to do whatever it takes. “As the lead economic development agency for the state, CTED stands ready to ensure that assembly of the new 7E7 Boeing commercial airplane happens in Washington state. “We have both the expertise and financial resources to assist with the infrastructure needs associated with the assembly of the new plane.”

Isaki has been working with Boeing for more than a year on a weekly, and often daily, basis to identify specific steps the state can take to help keep and grow Boeing jobs in Washington.

“The state understands the transformation that Boeing is currently undergoing,” Isaki said. “We have done, and will continue to do, what it takes to help Boeing and its partners succeed in Washington state.”

Locke said the state will mount a vigorous campaign and that he’s confident Washington will win. “We’re simply the best place in the world to successfully assemble the 7E7,” he said.

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Related Links:
- Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
- Governor's Web site

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