Too soon to tell on Rolls Royce plant

State spokesperson says Grant County would top list of possible locations

MOSES LAKE — Reports that Rolls Royce is considering Washington as a possible site for a 787 engine manufacturing facility are a mite premature.

Published reports from earlier this week on KIROTV.com and the Herald of Snohomish County indicated that the British company was considering locating a facility to manufacture engines for Boeing's 787. The reports indicated Washington made a list of possible sites, which also included Ohio and Indiana, and state officials planned to suggest Everett, Spokane and Moses Lake.

"Reporters in western Washington get a little overexcited," said Michelle Zahrly, spokesperson for the Department of Community Trade and Economic Development, with a laugh. "All the company has said is it is interested in having a North American facility for engine manufacturing, specifically as it relates to the 787."

Zahrly said Gov. Christine Gregoire and her delegation met with executives from Rolls Royce and 11 other aerospace suppliers at the Paris Air Show in June.

"She wanted to go specifically because of the 787 project and encourage suppliers either to expand facilities that they already have (in the state), or consider coming to Washington to set up design shops or manufacturing facilities," Zahrly explained.

Since June, CTED staff members have focused on different industries and stayed in touch with local representatives, Zahrly said.

Rolls Royce has announced that it is interested in a North American site, Zahrly said, but has not issued a request for proposals (RFP) to specific sites.

"They've indicated they're not at that point where they're looking for specific things," she said.

If an RFP comes out, Zahrly said CTED would look at the qualifications, talk with economic development councils and move forward.

"Should one come out, the governor is ready to jump in and lend her support too," Zahrly said. "With the success we had with the 787, we feel very competitive. We have multiple locations that we think could be attractive to aerospace suppliers, and Grant County is right at the top of the list."