States woo aerospace companies at air show

Washington isn’t the only state at the Farnborough air show this week with a political contingent trying to pick up more aerospace business.

“Over the last two days, my staff and I have participated in nearly two dozen meetings with more than 50 aerospace company executives,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said in a statement Tuesday. “I’m pleased with the discussions we’ve had – and like past years, I am confident they will lead to future job growth in our state.”

On Monday, Gregoire announced a number of agreements that will benefit both Snohomish County and Washington state.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley didn’t have any deals to announce today. But “South Carolina continues to be the buzz because of Boeing,” Haley said in this Charleston Regional Business Journal story. Boeing has a second 787 assembly ling in North Charleston; the original line is in Everett. (Both are eyeing 787-9 work).

“It’s a great opportunity for CEOs to talk to CEOs,” Haley said of the visit. “And we are talking about the fact that South Carolina is the new ‘it’ state.”

Another southern state making waves at Farnborough is Alabama, where Airbus recently announced plans to locate an A320 assembly plant in Mobile.

Mobile Mayor Sam Jones, who is at the air show, told Local 15 News that he thinks the region could land more aerospace companies to support Airbus in the near future.

“We think we have the opportunity to land some other prospects in a very,very short period of time,” Jones told Local 15 News.

“Airbus has to come up with their construction schedule, their plan for when they really want to put everything on the ground. Most of the suppliers will be following with their plans after they see Airbus’ plans,” Jones said.

Kansas also sent political leaders who hope “to bring jobs back,” Gov. Sam Brownback told The Wichita Eagle. Boeing announced in January its plan to close the company’s defense site in Wichita.

Here’s the video Washington state is showing at Farnborough: