Tue, Jul 27, 2010
Wichita Leads U.S. Cities In Exports
The Brookings Institution released
a study Monday pointing to Wichita, the home of Bombardier Learjet,
Cessna Aircraft Company, and Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, as the
leading U.S. city with respect to exports driving Gross
Metropolitan Product (GMP).
The report recognizes Wichita's "aviation cluster" as its main
source of exports and points to Cessna's growth in exports of 166
percent between 2005 and 2008 to developing regions such as Latin
America, Asia and the Middle East. Hawker Beechcraft Corporation
experienced an increase in exports by more than 390 percent between
2004 and 2009 and accounted for approximately half of the company's
sales in 2008 and 2009.
"This report underscores the critical role that general aviation
airplane manufacturing needs to play if the Administration is to
meet its goal of boosting exports," said Pete Bunce, GAMA's
president and CEO. "We have lost a significant portion of our
workforce during this economic downturn. Our recovery depends on an
evermore robust export market for US manufacturers. It is essential
that the Administration more fully embrace the general aviation
industry and actively promote it as a significant contributor to
economic prosperity and quality jobs in this country."
Bunce (pictured, right) added,
"We call on the Administration to publicly recognize the value of
this industry by advancing policies and regulations that support
general aviation manufacturing's recovery and continued growth,
which include eliminating barriers to entering new markets and
ensuring a level playing field worldwide for the sale and
maintenance of general aviation aircraft."
In his State of the Union address, President Obama called for a
new National Export Initiative (NEI) to double U.S. exports over
the next five years. The Brookings report points to only four
metropolitan areas, including Wichita, which have doubled their
exports during the preceding five years. "We would welcome a
visit from President Obama to Wichita to emphasize the importance
of general aviation to the nation's economy and to promote export
growth strategies for the future that will put more Americans to
work," said Bunce.
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