More Than A Dozen Locations Reportedly In The Running

Boeing is actively seeking bids for a site to build its recently-announced 777X widebody airplane following a vote by the Machinists Union to reject a contract offer from the planemaker.

Boeing had said that acceptance of the contract would have kept the work in the Puget Sound region, but that argument was not enough to persuade the rank and file workers to agree to the deal.

So, the planemaker has put out the word that they're looking for a place to build the new airplane, and while Everett is not out of the running, there has been interest expressed from states such as Alabama, Missouri, South Carolina, Utah, Texas and California.

Spokesman Doug Alter told the Associated Press that "we'll look at what might best fit our needs."

David Postman, a spokesman for Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, said the state will be lobbying strongly to keep the work in the Pacific northwest. The Washington State Legislature recently passed a $9 billion incentive package it hopes will keep the work in the state.

Boeing received pre-production orders for 255 of the new widebody airliners from three airlines at the Dubai Air Show. The first aircraft is slated for delivery by the end of the decade.

FMI: www.boeing.com