Boeing announced today that it would close its facility in Wichita by the end of 2013. This plant employs 2,160 workers, the majority of these hold high paying technical jobs in engineering. The Aviation industry is the largest industry in Wichita, so this is especially difficult at a time of high unemployment. The bottom line is that Kansas needs jobs, and this decision is very disappointing.
The State of Kansas, at all levels, has been committed to the aviation industry to ensure the success of Boeing for the good of the state and of the nation. State legislators and local government officials have been very involved in providing the industry and Boeing a lot of support. We have passed a bill that provided 500 million in bonds to expand the Boeing facilities, supported the National Institute for Aviation Research (NAIR), provided additional funding for universities to increase the number of engineering students, exempted modification and repairs from state sales taxes, provided Industrial Revenue Bonds and exempted from property taxes the expansion of facilities, and facilitated the training of aircraft workers. As a result, Wichita has numerous supplier companies and the best trained workforce in the aviation industry.
The saddest part is the lack of consideration to the commitment, dedication and hard work of many generations of Kansans going all the way back to 1929 and World War II. The Kansas’ workers contributed to the success that Boeing enjoys worldwide. I hope Boeing reconsiders this decision.
http://chumly.com/n/f2b458
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