Governor Quinn Announces $2.3 Million Investment Package to Support Illinois Boeing Expansion

MASCOUTAH – August 19, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois is providing a $2.3 million business investment package to assist Boeing with its plans to locate a new facility at MidAmerica Airport in St. Clair County. The state’s investment will leverage a $7 million Boeing investment and is expected to bring 70 new jobs to the Metro East region, with the potential to create more jobs over the next few years. It will also boost manufacturing and spur economic growth throughout the state.

“Our top priority is to get people back to work and continue our economic recovery,” said Governor Quinn. “This investment is bringing dozens of good-paying, sustainable jobs to the region, boosting Illinois’ manufacturing industry and helping MidAmerica Airport reach its full potential. I want to thank Boeing for continuing to invest in the people of Illinois.”

The state’s investment package will support Phase I of a potential three-phase project by Boeing to expand its Defense, Space and Security Group operations and create a Strategic Manufacturing Center at MidAmerica Airport. The center will serve as the lead facility for manufacturing complex sub assemblies for Boeing products and will be the company’s first manufacturing facility in the state of Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will administer the state’s business investment package consisting of Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) corporate income tax credits, which are based on job creation; job training funds; and local benefits from being located within an enterprise zone.

"Our partnership with Boeing reinforces that Illinois has a quality workforce and the right resources to help any company succeed,” said DCEO Director Warren Ribley. “This is a great example of how – through our collaborative efforts – we are creating jobs, expanding our economy and helping Illinois businesses grow."

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial airplanes and defense, space and security systems. The company is headquartered in Chicago with 158,000 employees in more than 70 countries.

In 2010, Illinois’ manufacturing sector has surpassed the national average for job creation.

Governor Quinn was joined at the event today by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL), Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL), State Rep. Tom Holbrook (D-Belleville), State Rep. Dan Beiser (D-Alton), State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville), President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security Dennis Muilenburg, and other civic and business leaders.