Governor Tom Corbett announced The Boeing Company will expand its site in Smithfield, Fayette County where the company manufactures complex electronic assemblies. Boeing is projecting to double its employment at the site with the addition of up to 168 new jobs over the next three years.
“We are building a stronger Pennsylvania by supporting businesses that demonstrate a commitment to innovation and bold invention,” said Gov. Corbett. “We are proud to partner with Boeing to bring new jobs to Fayette County.”
Boeing is planning a significant capital investment to expand its current 65,000 square-foot site in Smithfield where many of the employees are part of Argon ST, a non-integrated subsidiary of The Boeing Company. Argon ST received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development that includes $336,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to support this expansion based on current and pending new business contracts.
“This is an exciting time for Boeing. Our focus on expanding market opportunities has led to considerable growth at our Smithfield facility,” said George Smith, senior operations manager at Boeing’s Smithfield site. “We appreciate the outstanding support we’ve received from Fay-Penn Economic Development Council and the Governor’s Action Team of the Department of Community and Economic Development.”
The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the Governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania. Fay-Penn Economic Development also collaborated on this project.
“We would like to congratulate Argon ST/Boeing on its expansion project and thank them for their continued commitment to Fayette County. They could have expanded their operations anywhere, but chose to do so in the Fayette Business Park,” said Dana Kendrick, Economic Development Department Manager, Fay-Penn Economic Development Council. “This company will continue its efforts to help invent the future in Pennsylvania by providing high-paying employment opportunities that are crucial to retaining the best and brightest of our region.”
Boeing’s Smithfield facility is part of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $33 billion business with 56,000 employees worldwide.
In 2012, Gov. Tom Corbett launched JOBS1st PA as a comprehensive roadmap to economic recovery that harnessed the state’s resources and talents to prioritize private-sector job creation and retention. Today, Pennsylvania's unemployment rate is below the national rate and jobs have been growing on a consistent basis for four years.
For more information about Gov. Corbett’s commitment to job creation, visit www.pa.gov.