Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 16, 2003
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Gov. Gary Locke today praised the hard work of his “Action Washington” team in putting together the most compelling proposal to win final assembly of the new Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner in Washington state. Washington beat out dozens of other states that were vying for the project.
The Boeing Company announced today that it had selected Everett for the final assembly site, which is expected to create nearly 2,000 direct new jobs and thousands of other indirect jobs for Washington state, and eventually generate an expected $65 million annually for the state. Washington offered two sites for consideration – Everett and Moses Lake in Eastern Washington.
“This is a huge victory for all of Washington state,” Locke said today at a rally with the Action Washington team in Seattle. “Washington has competed nationally and won. This should be a sign to companies all over the world that we are open for business in a way we have never been before.”
“This has always been about more than just a few thousand jobs,” Locke said. “It’s about ensuring the future of Boeing commercial airplane production in our state for decades to come.”
The governor praised the Everett team for its winning bid. “It was a united effort from the start,” he said. “We’d like to thank the many members of our unprecedented Action Washington team – Democrats and Republicans, business and labor, urban and rural, civic groups and non-profits. They have been invaluable in this effort and have helped showcase the innovation and global competitiveness of Washington state.”
Martha Choe, director of the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), spearheaded the state’s proposal. “We knew we had the most creative, compelling and economical proposal for Boeing,” Choe said. “With this great news, Washington state pledges to work together with The Boeing Company to build the most efficient, cost-effective airplane ever, to compete successfully against Airbus.”
“We poured our heart and souls into winning this final assembly bid and all of our collective work has paid off,” Choe said. “It’s been an honor to lead this terrific team for Governor Locke and be entrusted with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Joining Locke and Choe at the rally today were U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.; Charles Bofferding, executive director of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA); Mark Blondin, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751 (IAM 751); Linda Lanham with IAM 751; U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen; U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee; U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks; U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt; House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle; Senate Majority Leader Bill Finkbeiner, R-Kirkland; Sen. Luke Esser, R-Bellevue; Sen. Joyce Mulliken, R-Ephrata; Judy Runstad, co-chair of the Washington Competitiveness Council; Bob Drewel, Snohomish County Executive; Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson; Paul Roberts, director of planning for the city of Everett; John Mohr, executive director of the Port of Everett; Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels; dozens of members of IAM 751 and SPEEA; and several business leaders and members of the Competitiveness Council.
Cantwell said, “From the days of William Boeing’s little red barn to the new 7E7 plant, Washington workers have helped the first century of aviation take flight. Today’s announcement is a resounding validation that our state’s aerospace workforce is second to none.”
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said, “One hundred years ago this week, the Wright Brothers launched the Age of Flight. Today, we proved that Washington has the ‘right stuff’ to lead the next century of aviation. The world’s best apples, coffee and software all say ‘Made in Washington.’ Now the best new airplane will too.”
Bofferding of SPEEA said, “This is an exciting time. We have the right plane, the right people and the right place to begin the turnaround we all want to be a part of.”
Blondin of the Machinists said, “This is the right decision for our members, The Boeing Company and the state of Washington. First and foremost, I’d like to thank our members for rallying so hard for the state’s proposal. I’d also like to thank the governor and the Legislature crafting an incentives package to make sure that our state’s proposal was the most compelling for Boeing. But most of all I’d like to thank the generations of Boeing workers that have made Boeing the greatest aerospace company in the world.”
Larsen, whose district includes Everett, said, “I am pleased that we were able to come together as a state. Governor Locke, state legislators, the congressional delegation, county and city officials all worked with our local communities to land this deal. The 7E7 project will fly in Everett thanks to the proven quality of the region, its workers and our combined efforts.”
Inslee said, “Boeing made the right decision in choosing Everett. I am encouraged that its new leadership recognizes the value of this community to Boeing, since the community still recognizes the value of Boeing to our region.”
Dicks also applauded the Boeing decision, saying, “The next generation of commercial airliners will be manufactured here in the Puget Sound area today and well into the future, providing good jobs for the next generation of Boeing workers. Today’s news is a ringing endorsement of the capabilities of our workforce, as well as the commitment of the governor, the Legislature and the local officials who joined the team effort to assure that the best planes in the world will continue to have a ‘Made in Washington’ label.”
Nethercutt said, “Boeing is a key anchor for Washington’s economic future, and the tremendous announcement today guarantees that we will have a strong foundation to build upon as we move forward. Today is a day for celebration. Tomorrow we must look ahead and continue our task of securing a strong economic future for our state.”
Chopp said, “For more than half a century, Boeing has been an economic engine that helped power our state. We are pleased and honored that Boeing has recognized that Washington is a great place to do business.”
Finkbeiner said, “We are thrilled our hard work to win the Boeing 7E7 final assembly has paid off. While this is tremendous news for our state’s economy, it doesn’t diminish the need to continue working to make Washington an even more attractive place to do business – for all kinds of businesses. We’ve proven we can win Boeing, and now we need to keep that winning momentum going to get all of Washington back to work.”
Drewel said, “The Boeing Company has sent a wonderful message of confidence in our region with its decision today. In Snohomish County, we are as proud and pleased as we can be. This is important for our region and the state, and we thank the governor and the Legislature for their leadership in creating the best proposal to make this all possible.”
Stephanson said, “Boeing leaders had a critical business decision to make, and we are honored they have made this key future investment in our city and in our workers.”
Roberts, who spearheaded Everett’s portion of the Action Washington bid, said, “The state and Boeing have shown once again that we know how to get things done and build airplanes. I hope this is the beginning of a renaissance in recognizing that we are part of a global economy.”
Runstad, who is also chair of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, praised the state’s efforts and The Boeing Company’s decision. “The members of the Competitiveness Council believe the state is on a strong road to recovery, and we congratulate the governor and all those involved in bringing this to fruition,” she said. “We look forward to working with Boeing, business and labor as we enter this new phase in our state’s history.”
The state’s proposal to Boeing included:
· An estimated $3 billion in tax incentives for the aerospace industry during the next 20 years;
· A $4.2 billion transportation-improvement package to help ease congestion and improve traffic safety across the state;
· Reforms to the state’s unemployment insurance and injured workers’ compensation systems;
· Establishment of an Aerospace Futures Board to comprise Boeing, its suppliers, and public partners to design and implement a plan for an end-to-end workforce training program;
· Recruitment, screening, assessment, training and employment life cycle services for Boeing and its suppliers to implement the plan designed by the Aerospace Futures Board;
· An Employment Resource Center with state-of-the-art equipment to house the workforce development programs for the Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner and its suppliers located close to the assembly site;
· An Aerospace Manufacturing Degree Program that will be established by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges in consultation with Boeing (Boeing will consider the graduates of this program for the 7E7 Dreamliner workforce);
· $15.5 million for improvements at the Port of Everett Satellite Rail Barge Facility;
· Offer to facilitate development of a Large Cargo Freighter (LCF) program to ensure that Boeing can efficiently transport by air the large subassemblies that will comprise the 7E7;
· Pledge to work side-by-side with Boeing to ensure that the 7E7 Dreamliner project is executed on schedule; and
· Pledge to provide more detailed facilitation services in the areas of taxing and incentives, permitting, workforce training, the LCF program and transportation.
Locke today also praised Moses Lake and Grant County for an exceptional proposal. “There are a lot of exciting things happening in Moses Lake, and this experience has put them on the world’s radar as a great place to do business,” he said. “We thank the economic development and government leaders in Moses Lake and Grant County for their tireless work as part of our Action Washington team.”
Grant County Economic Development Chair Terry Brewer, who spearheaded Moses Lake’s portion of the bid, said, “We have competitive advantages in Grant County for manufacturing and other industries which first led Moses Lake to be considered for the 7E7. We are proud to have been part of this Action Washington team and will apply the same fervor to other potential projects in our community.”
Everett will also be home to the 7E7 program headquarters as well as the development and design integration center. The Boeing facility in Frederickson in Pierce County will manufacture the 7E7’s vertical fin.
Related Links:
- Action Washington Web site
- Governor's Web site
- Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 16, 2003
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Gov. Gary Locke Credits States Aggressive Proposal, Unified Effort in Winning 7E7 Bid
Boeing Chooses Everett for Final Assembly SiteGov. Gary Locke today praised the hard work of his “Action Washington” team in putting together the most compelling proposal to win final assembly of the new Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner in Washington state. Washington beat out dozens of other states that were vying for the project.
The Boeing Company announced today that it had selected Everett for the final assembly site, which is expected to create nearly 2,000 direct new jobs and thousands of other indirect jobs for Washington state, and eventually generate an expected $65 million annually for the state. Washington offered two sites for consideration – Everett and Moses Lake in Eastern Washington.
“This is a huge victory for all of Washington state,” Locke said today at a rally with the Action Washington team in Seattle. “Washington has competed nationally and won. This should be a sign to companies all over the world that we are open for business in a way we have never been before.”
“This has always been about more than just a few thousand jobs,” Locke said. “It’s about ensuring the future of Boeing commercial airplane production in our state for decades to come.”
The governor praised the Everett team for its winning bid. “It was a united effort from the start,” he said. “We’d like to thank the many members of our unprecedented Action Washington team – Democrats and Republicans, business and labor, urban and rural, civic groups and non-profits. They have been invaluable in this effort and have helped showcase the innovation and global competitiveness of Washington state.”
Martha Choe, director of the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), spearheaded the state’s proposal. “We knew we had the most creative, compelling and economical proposal for Boeing,” Choe said. “With this great news, Washington state pledges to work together with The Boeing Company to build the most efficient, cost-effective airplane ever, to compete successfully against Airbus.”
“We poured our heart and souls into winning this final assembly bid and all of our collective work has paid off,” Choe said. “It’s been an honor to lead this terrific team for Governor Locke and be entrusted with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Joining Locke and Choe at the rally today were U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.; Charles Bofferding, executive director of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA); Mark Blondin, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751 (IAM 751); Linda Lanham with IAM 751; U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen; U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee; U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks; U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt; House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle; Senate Majority Leader Bill Finkbeiner, R-Kirkland; Sen. Luke Esser, R-Bellevue; Sen. Joyce Mulliken, R-Ephrata; Judy Runstad, co-chair of the Washington Competitiveness Council; Bob Drewel, Snohomish County Executive; Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson; Paul Roberts, director of planning for the city of Everett; John Mohr, executive director of the Port of Everett; Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels; dozens of members of IAM 751 and SPEEA; and several business leaders and members of the Competitiveness Council.
Cantwell said, “From the days of William Boeing’s little red barn to the new 7E7 plant, Washington workers have helped the first century of aviation take flight. Today’s announcement is a resounding validation that our state’s aerospace workforce is second to none.”
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said, “One hundred years ago this week, the Wright Brothers launched the Age of Flight. Today, we proved that Washington has the ‘right stuff’ to lead the next century of aviation. The world’s best apples, coffee and software all say ‘Made in Washington.’ Now the best new airplane will too.”
Bofferding of SPEEA said, “This is an exciting time. We have the right plane, the right people and the right place to begin the turnaround we all want to be a part of.”
Blondin of the Machinists said, “This is the right decision for our members, The Boeing Company and the state of Washington. First and foremost, I’d like to thank our members for rallying so hard for the state’s proposal. I’d also like to thank the governor and the Legislature crafting an incentives package to make sure that our state’s proposal was the most compelling for Boeing. But most of all I’d like to thank the generations of Boeing workers that have made Boeing the greatest aerospace company in the world.”
Larsen, whose district includes Everett, said, “I am pleased that we were able to come together as a state. Governor Locke, state legislators, the congressional delegation, county and city officials all worked with our local communities to land this deal. The 7E7 project will fly in Everett thanks to the proven quality of the region, its workers and our combined efforts.”
Inslee said, “Boeing made the right decision in choosing Everett. I am encouraged that its new leadership recognizes the value of this community to Boeing, since the community still recognizes the value of Boeing to our region.”
Dicks also applauded the Boeing decision, saying, “The next generation of commercial airliners will be manufactured here in the Puget Sound area today and well into the future, providing good jobs for the next generation of Boeing workers. Today’s news is a ringing endorsement of the capabilities of our workforce, as well as the commitment of the governor, the Legislature and the local officials who joined the team effort to assure that the best planes in the world will continue to have a ‘Made in Washington’ label.”
Nethercutt said, “Boeing is a key anchor for Washington’s economic future, and the tremendous announcement today guarantees that we will have a strong foundation to build upon as we move forward. Today is a day for celebration. Tomorrow we must look ahead and continue our task of securing a strong economic future for our state.”
Chopp said, “For more than half a century, Boeing has been an economic engine that helped power our state. We are pleased and honored that Boeing has recognized that Washington is a great place to do business.”
Finkbeiner said, “We are thrilled our hard work to win the Boeing 7E7 final assembly has paid off. While this is tremendous news for our state’s economy, it doesn’t diminish the need to continue working to make Washington an even more attractive place to do business – for all kinds of businesses. We’ve proven we can win Boeing, and now we need to keep that winning momentum going to get all of Washington back to work.”
Drewel said, “The Boeing Company has sent a wonderful message of confidence in our region with its decision today. In Snohomish County, we are as proud and pleased as we can be. This is important for our region and the state, and we thank the governor and the Legislature for their leadership in creating the best proposal to make this all possible.”
Stephanson said, “Boeing leaders had a critical business decision to make, and we are honored they have made this key future investment in our city and in our workers.”
Roberts, who spearheaded Everett’s portion of the Action Washington bid, said, “The state and Boeing have shown once again that we know how to get things done and build airplanes. I hope this is the beginning of a renaissance in recognizing that we are part of a global economy.”
Runstad, who is also chair of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, praised the state’s efforts and The Boeing Company’s decision. “The members of the Competitiveness Council believe the state is on a strong road to recovery, and we congratulate the governor and all those involved in bringing this to fruition,” she said. “We look forward to working with Boeing, business and labor as we enter this new phase in our state’s history.”
The state’s proposal to Boeing included:
· An estimated $3 billion in tax incentives for the aerospace industry during the next 20 years;
· A $4.2 billion transportation-improvement package to help ease congestion and improve traffic safety across the state;
· Reforms to the state’s unemployment insurance and injured workers’ compensation systems;
· Establishment of an Aerospace Futures Board to comprise Boeing, its suppliers, and public partners to design and implement a plan for an end-to-end workforce training program;
· Recruitment, screening, assessment, training and employment life cycle services for Boeing and its suppliers to implement the plan designed by the Aerospace Futures Board;
· An Employment Resource Center with state-of-the-art equipment to house the workforce development programs for the Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner and its suppliers located close to the assembly site;
· An Aerospace Manufacturing Degree Program that will be established by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges in consultation with Boeing (Boeing will consider the graduates of this program for the 7E7 Dreamliner workforce);
· $15.5 million for improvements at the Port of Everett Satellite Rail Barge Facility;
· Offer to facilitate development of a Large Cargo Freighter (LCF) program to ensure that Boeing can efficiently transport by air the large subassemblies that will comprise the 7E7;
· Pledge to work side-by-side with Boeing to ensure that the 7E7 Dreamliner project is executed on schedule; and
· Pledge to provide more detailed facilitation services in the areas of taxing and incentives, permitting, workforce training, the LCF program and transportation.
Locke today also praised Moses Lake and Grant County for an exceptional proposal. “There are a lot of exciting things happening in Moses Lake, and this experience has put them on the world’s radar as a great place to do business,” he said. “We thank the economic development and government leaders in Moses Lake and Grant County for their tireless work as part of our Action Washington team.”
Grant County Economic Development Chair Terry Brewer, who spearheaded Moses Lake’s portion of the bid, said, “We have competitive advantages in Grant County for manufacturing and other industries which first led Moses Lake to be considered for the 7E7. We are proud to have been part of this Action Washington team and will apply the same fervor to other potential projects in our community.”
Everett will also be home to the 7E7 program headquarters as well as the development and design integration center. The Boeing facility in Frederickson in Pierce County will manufacture the 7E7’s vertical fin.
Related Links:
- Action Washington Web site
- Governor's Web site
- Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
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