Snohomish County’s significant aerospace assets showcased for Governor’s Choose Washington NMA Council
Nearly half of Washington State’s world-leading aerospace workforce is in Snohomish County, where suppliers support Airbus, Bombardier, Comac, Embraer, Mitsubishi and Sukhoi in addition to Boeing.
EVERETT, WA – Leaders in the effort to win design, production and final assembly of Boeing’s potential new middle-of-the-market airplane (NMA) met in Snohomish County today, where Paine Field’s Aerospace Training Complex brings together Everett and Edmonds Community Colleges, the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee and the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center to serve more than 200 aerospace employers. The county employs 48 percent Washington State’s world-leading aerospace workforce, supporting Boeing and other major global OEMs Bombardier, Comac, Embraer, Mitsubishi and Sukhoi.
Gov. Jay Inslee’s Choose Washington NMA Council is traveling the state to explore and highlight the diverse industry assets that make up America’s #1 aerospace supercluster, as detailed in the recent state-by-state Teal Report on aerospace economic competitiveness. Both industry and community leaders throughout the state are working to make sure Washington is ready if, and when, the company decides to move forward on the NMA.
“Washington has an aerospace supercluster like none other in the country. The Teal report shows that by any measure, we are leading the way and offer the most competitive environment and workforce for companies seeking to build world-class planes,” Gov. Inslee said at a June 6 press conference announcing the results of the first independent, state-by-state analysis of its kind.
“I’m proud to host the Governor’s New Mid-Market Airplane Council in Snohomish County, the heart of the global aerospace industry,” said Dave Somers, Snohomish County Executive. “Snohomish County’s many assets play an important role in Boeing’s operations. Nearly half of the state’s aerospace workers are here, as well as over 200 aerospace firms. We have the Port of Everett, an integral link in Boeing’s supply chain; several higher education institutions with workforce training expertise; ample room for businesses to grow and expand near Paine Field and in the Manufacturing Innovation Center area of Arlington/Marysville; and a business friendly environment. Hosting the Council allows us to highlight the many reasons Boeing has been so successful when calling Snohomish County and Washington state home.”
T.M. Sell, Ph.D, professor of journalism and political economy at Highline College, provided an overview history of Boeing in Washington State, highlighting competitive advantages and support built over more than 100 years, including wealth, educational infrastructure, tax structure, legislative and public support and workforce.
“Even as we are buoyed by the findings of the Teal Group on locating the new plane, we know full well that continuous improvement is essential. We are identifying areas for improvement that will bolster our supply chain and our business case for Boeing and the entire industry,” said Rick Bender, NMA Council Co-chair.
Co-chaired by Bender and Dr. Noel Schulz, the 40-member, public-private NMA Council met in Spokane in April and Pierce County in May. Subscribe to email news and updates from the Governor’s Choose Washington NMA Council or contact us for more information by visiting www.nma.choosewashington.com.
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Contact: Penny Thomas, Commerce Communications, (206) 256-6106
