With the governor committed to seeing the 777X built here (stories in the Seattle Times and Everett Herald) I thought it worthwhile to link to some of our previous work related to Boeing’s impact on the economy.

In 2009 we produced an economic impact report, What If Boeing Left Washington. Some findings:

• Since each Boeing job supports nearly three additional jobs in the state, the company’s departure would mean a permanent reduction of 285,000 jobs.
• Without the draw of aerospace employment, housing prices would fall by as much as 6.5 percent by 2030.
• Statewide personal income would decline by nearly 9 percent.

An earlier report, in 2003, we examined the legislation passed to secure the 787 (then 7E7). Our conclusion:

Washington entered the battle for the 7E7 with a state tax system that raises an unusually large share of its revenue through taxes on business and a state constitution that prohibits the sorts of business incentives that many other states will offer Boeing. …

It is important to recognize … that the state is constantly competing with other states for jobs and businesses. The 7E7 battle is unique only in its size and visibility. That it was necessary for the state to offer such a large package for Boeing indicates that Washington’s basic business climate requires continued improvement, building upon recent progress. And even then, sometimes the prize will justify an additional sweetener.

The Seattle Times quotes Seattle Chamber president Maud Daudon at yesterday’s announcement.

Maud Daudon, chief executive of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and vice president of the Washington Aerospace Partnership, who spoke after Inslee, said the state needs to send Boeing a signal that it is serious.

“We are the envy of the nation for those jobs,” Daudon said. “We’ve got to hang onto them.”

That’s the challenge.