Boeing unlikely to set up a manufacturing plant at the Port of Bremerton, for now
By KAITLIN STROHSCHEIN
Port Orchard Independent Reporter
July 28, 2011 · Updated 11:04 AM
If Boeing decides to manufacture a version of the 737 at the South Kitsap Industrial Area, near the Bremerton National Airport, it won't be soon, according to leaders at the Port of Bremerton.
But port leaders haven't given up on the idea, entirely.
Port leaders expect Boeing to redesign the current 737 model to include more efficient engines, said Cary Bozeman, the Port of Bremerton’s chief executive officer, noting that newspapers have been his primary source of information on the issue.
“They can (manufacture the new version of the airplane) at their current (Renton) plant,” he said. “The board hasn’t voted on that, but it certainly looks like that’s where they’re going.”
The Port will, however, continue to participate in teleconferences with a statewide group trying to ensure that, if Boeing builds another plant, it will be in Washington.
“I believe that Boeing will, eventually, make the decision to make a new airplane,” said Bozeman. “That won’t be in the near future, that will be in the farther future, but you still have to stay on top of this, and when the opportunity comes, you need to be ready.
I don’t think you can turn your head or not pay attention any more.”
For now, Bozeman said, the port plans to focus on attracting industry clusters, interconnected businesses in a similar field, located nearby each other.
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