MLM Counties News. Notices. Need-to-know Information.
When you turn on your radio don’t be surprised to hear your mayor or chamber of commerce president talking with the program host about the importance of getting Congress to fund two military programs important to Boeing Co.’s operations in the area.
A representative of the defense contractor was in St. Charles Friday trying to build public support for its effort to get Congress to fund the company’s C-17 cargo plane and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet programs. Failure to fund the two programs would mean the loss of thousands of jobs. Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently proposed stopping more orders for the C-17 and reducing orders for the Super Hornet.
Jeffrey T. Sweet, a government relations representative for Boeing’s St. Louis-based Integrated Defense Systems, suggested that local officials and representatives of Boeing’s suppliers appear on various talk radio shows to argue that these programs are critical to the company’s future in this area.
“We think these public expressions of support are extremely important,” he said during his presentation to the Economic Development Committee of the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce. The presentation took place at Pio’s Restaurant in St. Charles.
Sweet also asked the chamber to send out news releases and encourage its members to write letters of support to Missouri’s congressional delegation. Specifically, Boeing wants Congress to fund the production of 15 more C-17s, fund the production of between 10 and 15 Super Hornets in fiscal 2010, and authorize a multiyear contract for the production of fighter plane, Sweet said.
Scott Tate, president of the St. Charles chamber, indicated that the organization would move quickly to help Boeing.
If funding is cut or eliminated, Boeing would be under “tremendous pressure” to consolidate its operations in the St. Louis area, Sweet said. About 5,000 employees work on the Super Hornet, which is built in St. Louis. While the C-17 is assembled in California, some 900 employees here work on the program, according to the company.
Boeing says 191 Missouri companies participate in the Super Hornet program, which created 23,426 direct and indirect jobs and has an estimated economic impact of $1 billion. Forty-five Missouri companies participate in the C-17 program, which created 5,874 direct and indirect jobs and has an estimated impact of $980 million, according to the company.
“When Boeing shrinks, a lot of other companies shrink,” Sweet said.
Boeing’s operations in St. Charles are small compared to its facilities in St. Louis County. The company operates a missile plant in St. Charles that employs approximately 1,100 people, while some 15,000 employees work on the other side of the Missouri River.
Still, St. Charles has a considerable stake in the company’s well-being. Sweet said approximately 5,000 employees make their home in St. Charles County. More employees live here than in any other county in the region, he added.
Just how much the funding for the two programs is in jeopardy is unclear at this point. In response to a reporter’s question, Sweet acknowledged that it is not unusual for Congress to fund programs the Defense Department doesn’t want.
