Will Open New Manufacturing Facility At MidAmerica Airport
Boeing intends to expand its St. Louis-area operations with the
planned opening of a new manufacturing facility at MidAmerica
Airport in Mascoutah (KBLV), the planemaker announced Thursday. The
facility, tentatively scheduled to open in late 2010 or early 2011,
will use leased space in an existing building to house assembly and
subassembly work. It is expected to initially bring approximately
75 new manufacturing jobs to Illinois.
Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) President and CEO
Dennis Muilenburg addressed U.S., state and local officials, Boeing
employees, and the media at a ceremony today in Mascoutah.
“This facility’s proximity to BDS headquarters, the
presence of an established, skilled work force, and the
infrastructure at MidAmerica Airport make it an ideal choice as
Boeing looks for opportunities to expand our core business and
ensure our St. Louis site remains competitive as we meet the
high-value, low-cost needs of our customers,” said
Muilenburg.
Muilenburg was joined by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, U.S. Sen. Dick
Durbin (D-Ill.), U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), U.S. Rep. John
Shimkus (R-Ill.), and St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern at
the official announcement. “I’m happy to support
Boeing’s investment in America’s work force and the
State of Illinois. In this economy, every single job counts, and
Boeing’s facility will bring skilled manufacturing jobs that
pay wages capable of supporting families,” said Durbin.
“It’s exactly the kind of investment in Illinois we
need to spur our nation’s economic recovery.”
“Today marks the beginning of what I expect will be a
long-term relationship with Boeing, and I expect we will be back
here to announce more good news and more jobs in the future,”
said Costello.
“This is the best news Southwestern Illinois has received
in some time. We have had a great relationship with Boeing through
the years and look forward to welcoming our new neighbors,”
said Shimkus.
Boeing and St. Clair County are entering into a long-term lease
for the existing 50,000-square-foot facility, which is the first
Boeing manufacturing center in Illinois. “We are ecstatic
that Boeing has chosen MidAmerica Airport for this expansion. Their
presence here brings a much-needed boost to the entire local
economy,” said Kern.
Home to BDS headquarters, the Boeing St. Louis site employs
approximately 16,000 employees and is Missouri’s largest
manufacturer and second-largest employer. Key products manufactured
at the site include F/A-18s, F-15s, C-17s and weapons.