Contact: Kendee Yamaguchi
Kendee.Yamaguchi@snoco.org
425-388-3952
Snohomish County
Executive Somers Launches Task Force for Landing Boeing’s New Plane
EVERETT, Wash., December 14, 2017—Today, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers announced the creation of an Aerospace Task Force uniting local governments, public sector groups, business, and labor to secure the design, production, and final assembly of Boeing's new midsize airplane, the “NMA,” and strengthen the aerospace supplier base in the county.
“Boeing and our world-class workforce are vital to the prosperity of Snohomish County,” said Dave Somers, Snohomish County Executive. “We face fierce global competition and need to maintain our position as the aerospace leader of the world. For continued success, we must aggressively work to retain and grow jobs. We cannot afford the risk of losing any business when it comes to our aerospace cluster.”
Executive
Somers is directing the Task Force to move swiftly to ensure everything is in
place for Boeing to launch the NMA program and assemble its next generation
aircraft in Snohomish County. The Task Force will assess preparations and work
with the State and other partners to land the NMA.
“As
President of the Puget Sound Regional Council, Executive Somers has made
bringing home the NMA a regional priority. This new task force will be
critical to regional and statewide efforts to secure this new jet.” said PSRC
Executive Director Josh Brown.
“Economic
development and supporting our aerospace industry will be some of my top
priorities as Everett’s new mayor,” said Cassie Franklin, Everett’s
Mayor-elect. “I’m proud to join efforts with Executive Somers on this important
issue.”
The
Task Force will hold its first meeting in January 2018. Organizations and
entities invited to participate include: Snohomish County Council, Snohomish
County Cities, Port of Everett, Economic Alliance of Snohomish County,
Washington State University, University of Washington, Everett Community
College, Edmonds Community College, Everett School District, Workforce
Snohomish County, International Association of Machinists Local 751, Society of
Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), and Snohomish County
Labor Council. Boeing is expected to announce
the launch of a new midsize airline sometime in 2018.
“We can’t afford to wait,” said Executive Somers. “We, as the leaders of Snohomish County, will use this time to make sure all is in place to make the decision where to build the NMA as easy as possible for Boeing.”
Snohomish
County is home to a thriving aerospace industry. With 41,000 workers spanning
200 firms, including Boeing, 48% of the State’s aerospace workforce is employed
in the county. The aerospace supply chain, with 600 suppliers statewide,
supports Boeing as well as Airbus, Bombardier, Comac, Embraer, Mitsubishi, and
Sukoi. Nowhere in the country is there a better concentration and alignment of
aerospace assets to drive forward innovation.