KPLU Local News
(2009-09-29)
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OLYMPIA, WA
(N3) -
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire is making the case for why Boeing should build its second 787 line in Washington and not South Carolina. But the 32-page report released Monday isn't winning any commitments from Boeing. KPLU's Austin Jenkins reports.
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A few weeks ago, Gregoire said in the fierce bid for the job-rich assembly line she'd put Washington up against South Carolina any day. Now she's published "The Business Case for Consolidating Boeing 787 Assembly in Washington." Highlights include: Washington's recent ranking by Forbes as the second best state in the country to do business. The report also notes that South Carolina's unemployment insurance trust fund is insolvent. Don Brunell with the Association of Washington Business calls the Governor's report helpful. But thinks Washington is resting on its laurels.
Don Brunell, AWB: "I don't think it's intentional complacency. But when you have something you tend to be a little bit more complacent than if you want something. Obviously South Carolina wants this very, very badly and are making a compelling case."
In a statement Boeing says it appreciates the Governor's report, but the company still has ongoing concerns about the cost of doing business in Washington and adds that what it calls repeated work stoppages have damaged its reputation with customers. I'm Austin Jenkins in Olympia. © Copyright 2012, N3
