State Officials 'Aggressively Pursuing' A Deal With Boeing

The State of Kansas is "aggressively pursuing" a deal with Boeing to build the planemaker's newest airliner in the state. Boeing is actively looking outside the Puget Sound region for a place to build its 777X airplane after the machinists union declined a contract offer that included a promise to build the airplane in the Pacific northwest.

The Wichita Eagle reports that Governor Sam Brownback (R) wants Boeing back in Kansas after the company decided to disburse its Wichita operation to San Antonio, Oklahoma City, and Washington State last year.

The 777X work will bring 7,000 to 10,000 jobs to what ever location that eventually is selected. Kansas has an existing economic incentive program in place that could allow the state to offer Boeing help in new equipment purchases over several years.

Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer said that he would welcome the planemaker's return to his city.

But Kansas has a lot of competition. Washington State and Missouri have both passed legislation to offer large incentive packages to Boeing in an effort to attract the business, and the planemaker is reportedly looking at several other states. Analyst Richard Aboulafia of the Teal Group said that Charleston, SC and Long Beach, CA likely have the best chance at landing the deal.

(Boeing image)

FMI: www.kansas.gov, www.boeing.com