Stress levels are high in Everett as the city braces for what the consequences could be if Boeing moves its 787 Dreamliner production to South Carolina.
While Boeing has yet to comment on the report from the Wall Street Journal, many in Everett are concerned.
With around 35,000 employees, Boeing is the largest employer in Everett. The 787 Dreamliner is just one of several Boeing jets built in Everett, though orders for new planes have been down dramatically since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Port of Everett is concerned about the implications of a possible Boeing move and released a prepared statement to KING 5:
“If today’s news reports on the 787 move proves true, this would be a devastating loss that will have far-reaching personal and economic impacts on this community,” Port of Everett CEO, Lisa Lefeber said in the statement. “The Boeing Company is the foundation and heartbeat of our city, county and state. COVID has hit our aerospace industry especially hard, and if a move of the line does occur, we will continue to advocate for its return to Everett once the aerospace industry and air travel resumes. Everett is the aerospace manufacturing capital of the world, and the Port of Everett will continue to do everything we can to help keep it that way. We still believe this is the best place, with the best workforce to build Boeing airplanes.”