Boeing is launching a new jet, and the North Carolina Global TransPark is again in the discussion as a home for a potential facility.
The GTP already missed out on two Boeing projects in the past, most notably the recent 787 Dreamliner that went to Charleston, S.C. The Carolinas are attractive to the aerospace company because of low taxes and lack of unionization — Boeing was having a problem with a union contract in Washington State at the time.
GTP spokeswoman Alanna King said in 2009 that “we’re going to continue to foster a relationship between ourselves and Boeing and the (state) Department of Commerce.”
That effort has kept the GTP on Boeing's radar.
As it stands, the Associated Press reported the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers turned down Boeing’s 777X contract plan, so the aircraft manufacturer is looking elsewhere from its Everett, Wash., base.
Missouri made a public overture to the company, and the Washington state government believes it can keep Boeing at home. But reportedly, North Carolina is in the mix, and local representatives from Charlotte and Greensboro are actively campaigning for the jet.
All comments at the GTP have been referred to the state Department of Commerce, which is keeping mum on specifics.
“We are always looking for opportunities to recruit companies to North Carolina, but as the North Carolina Department of Commerce, we don’t discuss whether we are or are not working with any companies in any capacity,” DOC spokeswoman Beth Gargan said. “And so, we are happy to provide that information when we are ready to announce a project, but not any time before that.”
Newly elected chairman of the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners, Craig Hill, said he wasn’t aware of anything.
“I don’t have any information at any of that right now,” Hill said. “I haven’t heard anything at all at this point in time.”
He added, “If I had it, I probably couldn’t tell you.”
Lenoir County Commissioner J. Mac Daughety said that unlike 2003 and 2009, the GTP will have everything Boeing is looking for, and Gov. Pat McCrory’s staff is considering it, should the state land the 777X.
“If you look at that article, it specifies the things Boeing’s looking for, which are very similar to what most manufacturers are looking for in a new site — a skilled workforce, which we have that they can draw from, particularly military bases at Seymour Johnson and Cherry Point,” Daughety said. “It also was talking about access to the ports and we have that or are getting that. And, one key piece we didn’t have the last time Boeing came here, we did not have connectivity to the interstate.”
With the Goldsboro bypass and the Harvey Parkway connector’s expected completion coming at the same time as the end of construction of a Boeing facility, the interstate connectivity would be in place.
Wes Wolfe can be reached at 252-559-1075 and Wes.Wolfe@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @WolfeReports.