When you think of aerospace in Washington State, you often think of the Seattle and Puget Sound area where more than 1200 companies are currently building and supplying parts to The Boeing Company. What you might not know is that Spokane is home to more than 100 companies involved in the aerospace industry.
More than 8,000 people are employed in this industry in the Spokane region, and that number is growing with recent expansion announcements at several local manufacturers. Read more to find out why Spokane is an Ideal Site For Aerospace Investment.
Associated Painters Expands in Spokane
Greater Spokane Incorporated was one of several parties involved in a successful pitch to Associated Painters to build a second paint facility at Spokane International Airport. The company needed additional space to meet customer demand and was looking at several sites in the U.S.
According to Associated Painters CFO Alan McKee, "GSI played an important role with our decision to construct the second hangar in Spokane. They were able to quickly assist with bringing the right community leaders to the table to make the project work."
Associated Painters Expansion Underway - Garco Construction
Parker Aerospace Wins Jet Missile Contract
Parker Aerospace, which includes the former Liberty Lake-based SprayCool Data Systems Inc. operations, was awarded a project last month to provide cooling components and systems for missiles made by Norwegian defense contractor Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS.
Proto Technologies Inc., a Liberty Lake prototype manufacturer, has experienced growth this year in revenues and its client base, says Rory Nay, the company's president. The company expects its AS91000 certification to increase the amount of work it receives.
Airway Heights-based Wemco Inc., a light industrial equipment manufacturer, is starting a $6 million project to build a new production facility on a 10-acre parcel on the West Plains, says John Rouse, the company's vice president. The project is among about half a dozen separate development projects planned or under way on the West Plains with a combined value of about $40 million.
