03.21.01

Senator Cantwell's Statement on Boeing's Decision to Move Corporate Headquarters From Seattle

Statement of Senator Maria Cantwell on Boeing's Announcement:

I was surprised and disappointed to learn that The Boeing Company intends to move its Corporate Headquarters from the State of Washington. It is an unfortunate end to an 84-year relationship in which corporate leaders at Boeing have played an integral role in our communities as residents of Washington state. I intend to gain a better understanding from Boeing officials as to why they feel compelled to move their corporate leadership from Seattle and whether any Washington state workers will lose jobs as a result of this proposed relocation.

Since Boeing was founded in Seattle in1916, it has been an industrial anchor in a state that has become a leader in innovation and technology. As Boeing and many other global corporations know firsthand, Seattle is a prime location for both domestic and international trade. Puget Sound provides a commercial gateway to the world – the region is equal distance by air from both Europe and Asia, and its ports are among the busiest in the nation. The quality of life in the Seattle area is unmatched by any other city in the United States, and its prosperous hi-tech sector provides many business opportunities and a well-trained workforce.

I look forward to a continued relationship between Boeing and the Northwest. Nearly 80,000 workers will continue to be employed at Boeing’s Renton and Everett plants, and the company will remain the single largest private employer in the state. I will continue to remain focused on ensuring that quality jobs are available for Washingtonians and that Boeing will continue to be a large part of that equation.