JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Gov. Jay Nixon says the incentive package Missouri offered Boeing showed the state is "ready to compete" in the global economy.
His statement came early Saturday morning, just after Boeing announced its new 777X airplane will be built in the Puget Sound region of Washington state. Boeing production workers agreed to concede some benefits in order for that to happen.
Nixon thanked the General Assembly, community colleges and local business and labor partners for the "nationally-recognized proposal," which had authorized up to $1.7 billion in tax incentives over two decades.
He also said that Boeing's decision last month to shift some research positions to Missouri is "proof positive" that the state is a "top destination for high-tech jobs and investment."