Over 150 People Gathered At State's First Economic Summit.
Focus Was On Aviation
Governor Sam Brownback was urged by the leaders of Wichita's
aviation manufacturing community to work towards job training and
incentives to help get their industry back on track. Brownback held
an economic summit with a focus on aviation Monday at the National
Center for Aviation Training. About 160 leaders from both the major
aviation manufacturers and smaller companies attended, saying that
the state need to step up to help keep aviation jobs in Kansas.
Governor Brownback
Business Week reports that Spirit Aerosystems CEO Jeff Turner
told the governor rarely a week goes by that he is not approached
by another state or country which will offer significant incentives
to move. "The want our jobs," Turner told Brownback.
Cessna CEO Jack Pelton suggested that Brownback cut the
corporate income tax to zero for aviation companies which spend
money in Kansas. But not everyone agreed that shifting the tax
burden would be a good, broad-based tax policy. Pelton also
suggested "Government getting the heck out of your way," and
streamlining state regulations to help businesses grow again,
according to a report in the Wichita Eagle.
In a news release following the summit, Brownback said Kansas
needs to adopt a more favorable tax policy and end unnecessary or
non-essential regulations to grow the aviation industry in the
state. He acknowledged that was one of the main messages delivered
to state officials at the event.
“Through our joint efforts, we can ensure Kansas remains
the premier location for the design and manufacture of general and
business aviation aircraft, military trainer aircraft, and large
commercial structures, as well as the modification and maintenance
of military aircraft,” Gov. Brownback said. “The
thoughts and ideas gathered from this summit will be the guiding
principles for improving the business climate in our state so
aviation-related businesses can grow and prosper.”
“Aviation is a critical economic engine of the Kansas
economy,” said Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, M.D.
“Governor Brownback and I are committed to fostering a
climate of innovation through state policies that allow Kansas
aviation companies to succeed.”
Kansas has a long, storied history in aviation manufacturing,
and summit participants discussed ways to enhance the state's
leadership position and keep Wichita the “Air Capital of the
World.”
“We have major aircraft manufacturers in Wichita like
Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, Cessna, Learjet and Hawker Beechcraft,
but we also have more than 200 other companies throughout Kansas
that serve the industry in one form or another,” said
Commerce Secretary Pat George. “Our foundation is strong, but
we need to work on expanding the state’s reach and attracting
more aviation business. We heard a lot of good ideas to do that
here today.”
National Center For Aviation Training
Tax and regulatory issues for the industry were a main
discussion topic, and industry representatives urged state
officials to continue their efforts on the federal level to reduce
burdensome regulations, and promote more growth, especially
supporting more aircraft exports and a more global approach. The
No. 1 export product from Kansas is aircraft.
Other topics of discussion included continued funding to the
National Center for Aviation Training, National Institute for
Aviation Research and other education institutions centered on the
industry. In addition, there was discussion on improving the
environment for the Kansas supplier base o that companies can
capture additional sourcing opportunities in both domestic and
international markets.