Boeing site advisor visits Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - To keep Boeing's 737 made in Washington state, Gov. Chris Gregoire's advisor visited Moses Lake.

Seattle attorney Tayloe Washburn spoke to community leaders during a private meeting held recently at the Port of Moses Lake. He also visited Spokane.

He is Gregoire's advisor for the push, dubbed "Project Pegasus."

"What we're doing now, is supporting the statewide effort of all things related to that project, in anyway we can, as the state team determines what needs attention, what needs to be worked on," said Terry Brewer, executive director of the Grant County Economic Development Council (EDC), on Friday.

The issues could be related to taxation, transportation, or education/workforce training, he said.

Moses Lake was a contender for the Boeing 737 assembly site in 2003, but Everett was chosen for the project.

During the past few years, Moses Lake experienced successes with the construction of BMW/SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers' new plant and REC Silicon's expansion.

Moses Lake also received recognition as a possible Boeing site in two reports from 2009.

One report, titled "The Business Case for Consolidating Boeing 787 Assembly in Washington," was released by Gregoire's office in 2009.

Other sites besides Moses Lake named in the report were Everett, Charleston, S.C., Wichita, Kan., Kingston, N.C., San Antonio, Texas, and Long Beach, Calif.

Another report, done by Deloitte Consulting, referenced Moses Lake as a contender for a second Boeing site.

Even so, Boeing went out of state and picked South Carolina for a second 787 line in 2009.

As part of the statewide team, Brewer said he imagines Grant County might have the opportunity to compete for the future 737 site.

He knows corporations do not want a "free for all" of proposals at the mailbox and will develop their own "acute process"  that will perhaps be initiated with a "distinct request for proposal," he said.

In 2003, Boeing asked states to submit proposals.

But Boeing has new leadership now and may have a different process, he said.

Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, is a member of the Washington Council on Aerospace, and also attended the meeting.

"I'm optimistic and pleased they're looking at Moses Lake," she said. "We have a lot to offer, with the runway, the workforce and Big Bend Community College."

Several years ago, it was said by a Boeing executive that Moses Lake offers space, more than anything, she said.

"They're running out of space on the West side," she said. "He was talking mainly of our runway and developable land at the airport."

She doesn't believe there will be a decision made in the immediate future. It appears there will be a proposal made in the next six to eight months.

Grant County is already well-positioned for Boeing, because the company does flight testing here, she said.

Moses Lake Mayor Jon Lane said it will be a "vigorous competition" to bring Boeing to a community.

In Washington state, the union issue has to be resolved, he said.

When the time comes, Lane said his role would be to work with the surrounding communities to provide all the things Boeing wants.

"I'm kind of excited about the prospect of working together and really do some long range planning for our area," Lane said.

Port of Moses Lake Commission President Kent Jones said there is discussion apparently within Boeing about building a new airplane. The type of aircraft hasn't been decided, he said.

Changes may be made to the 737, to make it more efficient or do whatever needed, Jones said.

"We, in Grant County, need to put someone in charge to take the lead, to do what we can," Jones commented about the push to keep Boeing in Washington.

The Port of Moses Lake would be the clearinghouse to do so, but port commissioners haven't taken official action on the matter, he said.

Brewer, of the Grant EDC, said he was going to call the port and suggest it be on point with this project.

"It's their airport and their facility," he said. "There are several others willing and engaged to help, whether it is the city council, college or railroad. All parties have a piece of the puzzle to work on. They'll recognize there is plenty of work to do, to get our ducks in a row and be prepared."