Gov. Chris Gregoire allocated $1.5 million of federal funds to aerospace training in Washington state.
The governor spoke Thursday morning at Everett Community College’s aviation school at Paine Field. Her announcement comes as the Boeing Co. makes up its mind where to put a second production line for its 787 Dreamlner jet.
“We are investing in our people, but we are also investing in our future,” Gregoire said.
Gregoire used discretionary Workforce Investment Act funds from the federal government for the one-time $1.5 million allocation.
About $600,000 of that will be alloted to the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center, which encompasses training sites in Spokane and here in Snohomish County.
That money will be used for coordinated training programs at the centers.
About $500,000 will be used to buy equipment for the centers and state’s community college programs, said Linda Lanham, who directs the Aerospace Futures Alliance, an industry based group.
“We’re really happy to see this moving forward,” Lanham said.
The governor’s decision was applauded by industry, education and government representatives alike.
“I thank Gov. Gregoire for supporting our efforts and stepping forward to help us maintain our competitive edge when it comes to building commercial airplanes,” said Aaron Reardon, Snohomish County executive, in a statement. “We know we make the best commercial airplanes in the world, and we want to protect those thousands of jobs at all costs.”
The state has about 80,000 people working in the aerospace industry, including roughly 35,000 in Snohomish County, the location for Boeing’s widebody jet factory.
Boeing has been considering other locations for its second 787 line, beside Everett where the first assembly line remains. The company took “procedural” steps in applying for permits to expand its South Carolina 787 parts factory but says no decision has been made.
Boeing is expected to name the second line’s site by year’s end.
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