ST. LOUIS, Mo.—Gov. Jay Nixon today applauded the official opening of Boeing’s new research and technology center. The 197,000 square-foot facility will employ more than 700 engineers, technicians and staff and serve as Boeing’s regional hub for the creation and development of technologies for use in current and future aerospace products and solutions.
“Today marks another exciting chapter in Boeing’s continued growth in St. Louis,” Gov. Nixon said. “Already the headquarters of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, the company’s St. Louis campus continues to grow and diversify, creating hundreds of high-tech jobs and strengthening our economy. This state-of-the-art research and technology center is a great testament to our enduring partnership with Boeing, the dedicated men and women who work there, and the strong bipartisan effort to position Missouri to compete for next-generation aerospace jobs.”
In addition, last year, Boeing announced plans to expand its current composite facility and create up to 700 jobs in St. Louis to produce parts for the 777X, work that is currently being done by contractors or performed overseas. The facility is slated to be completed next year, with work on the 777X wing and empennage parts starting in 2017. Construction of the 367,000-square-foot expanded facility will also provide up to 250 full-time construction jobs. The expanded composites facility marks the first time Boeing has brought commercial aircraft production work to St. Louis. Boeing’s St. Louis campus has traditionally manufactured military, rather than commercial, aircraft.
Boeing, Missouri’s largest manufacturer, is among the largest global aircraft manufacturers and the second-largest aerospace and defense contractor in the world. Home to Boeing Defense, Space & Security division, St. Louis County campus produces military aircraft and weapons systems, employs about 17,000 workers in the area, and is supported by more than 600 suppliers and vendors throughout the state.
