HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 4126CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION NO. 4126
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, EXPRESSING
APPRECIATION TO THE BOEING COMPANY FOR CHOOSING RENTON AS THE
LOCATION FOR PRODUCTION OF BOEING'S 737 MAX AIRPLANE.
WHEREAS, Renton has been proud to be a home of The Boeing Company ("Boeing") for
70 years and has shared in Boeing's long history of aviation innovation and excellence. The first
commercial jet, the Boeing 707, was made in Renton, and the best selling jets in history have
been assembled in Renton ever since; and
WHEREAS, the Boeing 737 is the world's most popular and reliable commercial jet
transport, with over 9,000 orders to date. Boeing is ramping up production in Renton to
historic levels and is hiring more than 1,200 people to work in Renton, on top of its estimated
workforce in Renton of approximately 14,000. Boeing forecasts global demand for more than
23,000 airplanes in the 737's single aisle market segment over the next 20 years at a value of
nearly $2 trillion; and
WHEREAS, Boeing has launched a new aircraft family, the 737 MAX, a new engine
variant of the market-leading 737 plane which will be technologically advanced and have the
best fuel efficiency and lowest operating costs in the single aisle jet market; and
WHEREAS, Boeing has recently announced it intends to build the new 737 MAX in
Renton, pending approval of an early contract extension with the International Association of
Machinists & Aerospace Workers (1AM); and
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RESOLUTION NO. 4126
WHEREAS, as the first city to join the Aerospace Futures Alliance, a founding member of
the Washington Aerospace Partnership (WAP), a founding member of the King County
Aerospace Alliance and as an investor in the Aerospace Competitiveness Study commissioned
by the WAP, Renton strongly supports and appreciates statewide and countywide efforts to
strengthen the aerospace industry across Washington and increase jobs in this important
economic sector; and
WHEREAS, the recently conducted WAP Aerospace Competitiveness Study concludes
that Boeing's highly experienced and seasoned workforce in Renton and the unrivaled network
of suppliers that support 737 production are advantages of the 737 MAX being sited at its
current 737 production location in Renton; and
WHEREAS, the City of Renton strongly supports statewide aerospace policy and funding
advocacy efforts that support expanding and strengthening workforce development, training
and education, including action items following the WAP's Aerospace Competitiveness Study
such as expanding the Launch Year program and increasing engineering and aerospace
mechanic training capacity; tax policies that encourage the growth and long-term health of the
industry, including the extension of the pre-production aerospace tax incentive; and improving
transportation infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, Renton's highest economic development priority is to make every effort, at
the local, regional, state and federal levels to ensure the 737 MAX is assembled in Renton.
Renton is already working with Boeing company leaders on a daily basis to ensure the
production ramp up goes smoothly. From monthly all-hands-on-deck project coordination
meetings to issuing some construction permits over-the-counter, Renton is demonstrating that
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RESOLUTION NO. 4126
it is the best place in the world to build commercial airplanes. The City is already working with
Boeing to enhance movement of freight and employees, including working toward the
extension of King County METRO'S planned "F Line" Bus Rapid Transit from the Renton Transit
Center to Boeing's Renton plant, and working to secure funding to increase capacity along the
State Route 167/1 nterstate 405 corridor. Through partnerships with the state Transportation
Improvement Board and the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, the City is moving
forward in 2012 on projects to improve freight mobility and traffic safety and movement at
Garden Avenue as well as the next phase of the Strander Boulevard/SW 27th Street project near
the headquarters of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Boeing is currently expanding its presence
at Renton Municipal Airport and the City is working with Boeing to address its additional needs
at the airport. The City is working with Boeing to address future employee parking needs, and is
eager to explore public-private partnerships to do so, including potential use of secured
infrastructure financing tools. The City also strongly supports the rapid expansion of aerospace
training programs at Renton Technical College and enhancing math and science education at
the Kindergarten-12th grade levels, as well as increasing capacity of engineering training at the
State's other higher institutions;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, DOES
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. The above recitals are found to be true and correct in all respects.
SECTION II. The Mayor and City Council congratulate Boeing and the International
Machinists & Aerospace Workers on their positive contract negotiations and express significant
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RESOLUTION NO. 4126
appreciation to Boeing for choosing Renton as the location for assembly of the 737 MAX. The
City confirms its commitment to surpassing the company's needs and expectations in Renton.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 5th day of December , 2011.
Bonnie I. Walton, City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 5th day of December , 2011.
e /
As
Denis Law, Mayor
Approved as to form:
Lawrence J. Warren, City Attorney VV/'f"
RES.1537:12/5/ll:scr
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