MASCOUTAH, Ill., Aug. 19, 2010 -- The Boeing Company
[NYSE: BA] announced today that it is expanding its St. Louis-area
operations with the planned opening of a new manufacturing facility
at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah.
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.
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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.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space &
Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and
security businesses specializing in innovative and
capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s
largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft.
Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with
68,000 employees worldwide.
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Contact:
Lisa Maull
Boeing Communications
Office: 314-233-5004
Mobile: 314-614-4583
lisa.a.maull@boeing.com
Dan Beck
Boeing Communications
Office: 703-414-6447
Mobile: 562-243-7082
daniel.c.beck@boeing.com