SEATTLE (AP) — Gov. Chris Gregoire has announced the creation of a team that will begin working to keep Boeing’s 737 manufacturing line in the state.
Gregoire says the aerospace giant is due to announce later this year whether to put a new engine on the 737, or make an all-new plane that would be sold around the end of this decade.
The Democratic governor says that she wants the state to be ready to make the bid necessary to keep the 737 here and is dubbing the efforts “Project Pegasus.”
Greogire says that the state has already taken steps to address Boeing’s concerns, including making changes to the state’s workers compensation system, a priority for the Chicago-based company during this past legislative session.
Greogire has tapped Seattle attorney Tayloe Washburn to lead the team. Washburn co-chaired lobbying efforts to land the Air Force tanker contract that went to Boeing.
