OLYMPIA – Creation of a statewide training and education center for the aerospace industry cleared a legislative hurdle today.
A bill establishing the Washington Institute of Aerospace Technology and Advanced Manufacturing passed the House Higher Education Committee with strong though not unanimous bipartisan support.
Such a campus could become a key part of state efforts to ensure the Boeing Co. remains a fixture in Washington. Company officials are said to be considering opening a second line of production of its 787 aircraft and Washington lawmakers want the expansion to occur here.
A study released today concludes that, for a host of reasons, “Washington is not keeping its competitive edge in attracting and retaining the commercial aircraft industry.”
One recommendation is for the state to centralize worker training and research and development efforts – which the proposed institute would accomplish.
“Whether we like it or not we are in a heavily competitive environment,” Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett, said in today’s hearing. Sells is the prime sponsor of the bill.
“This is about more than one company. It is about those 600 companies all around the state,” he said.
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