Boeing's decision to build the 737MAX in Renton is great news for Washington State. Earlier today in a press conference at Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI), GSI, elected officials, the airport, county and city officials and higher education representatives announced their work to identify and analyze sites in Spokane County that will be ideal for manufacturing, component integration or supply chain network investments in order to grow the aerospace industry in our region. The project, called the Aerospace Initiative for Recruitment (AIR) Spokane is about getting our region ready for the possible expansion of local, national or global aircraft suppliers.

"There was no Spokane bid for the manufacturing plant, but as the demand exceeds capacity in Renton, our region will be ready to support overflow," said Rich Hadley, President and CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated. "Our region's 80-plus aerospace supply companies will benefit from this decision, and could see increases in business by between 30 percent and 50 percent based on 737MAX ramp-up schedules."

For more information about local aerospace companies and suppliers, visit www.inwac.com.