Aerospace manufacturer and defense contracting giant Boeing announced Thursday that it would abandon its Chicago headquarters and move to Arlington, Va.
"We are excited to build on our foundation here in Northern Virginia. The region makes strategic sense for our global headquarters given its proximity to our customers and stakeholders, and its access to world-class engineering and technical talent," Boeing CEO and President Dave Calhoun said of the move.
The firm's new Arlington headquarters would put in close proximity to Washington, D.C., and, consequentially, some of the largest customers of the defense contractor.
Illinois politicians were predictably sour on the decision. The state's two Democratic Senators, Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, called the move "incredibly disappointing," per the Epoch Times. “We are working together to ensure Boeing leadership both understands how harmful this move will be and does everything possible to protect Illinois’s workers and jobs,” they continued.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, whose tenure has seen a marked rise in violent crime in Chicago, emphasized that the company intended to keep some of its business in the city. She further asserted that Chicago would remain "a major hub for global corporations that recognize our diverse workforce, expansive infrastructure, and thriving economy."
Along with the new headquarters, Boeing announced its plan to open a research and development hub in the area. "The hub will focus on developing innovations in the areas of cyber security, autonomous operations, quantum sciences and software and systems engineering," the company said in a press release.
Move Officers from the West and Southsides back into Downtown before more businesses leave!
ReplyDeleteHigh taxes, diversity requirements for corporate boards, extended lockdowns, excessive rules and regulations on businesses, take your pick the, list of reasons to not base your business in Illinois are endless. Is it any surprise that CEO’s and industry experts rate Illinois as one of the least business friendly states in the nation.
ReplyDeleteHahahahahhahha! Leaving "Chi Town" for VA. ... I often wondered why they even moved to Chi Town?? Dig it, I usedta' work for DOUGAS... "McDonnell-Douglas back n the 70's during the DC-9, DC-10 Daze!!.on the ACES II program (Look it up in yer Funk and Wagnall's!!) and after Boeing "AQUIRED" Douglas (When I worked there, NONE of the oldtimers called it McDonnell-Douglas.. It was just "DOUGAS!!") They shut the place down and now what.... L.A. had a Wealth of AERO-SPACE Tallent not just from McD but also Rockwell, Northrup and more as well as Support services!!!!.... Jeeez!!
ReplyDeleteThink this calls for a fresh "Hi-Ball!!!!"
skybill
When will this clueless shitty bitch mayor leave?
ReplyDeleteDC-10 , what shut down Douglass.
ReplyDeleteHi MOUSE!!
DeleteThe "10" did not shut down "DOUGLAS"... No, Sandy gave him the $$$$ to build it... providing Don put "McDonnell" on the logo!!!!
skybill
There's probably a more compelling reason for the move. Arlington is close to the Pentagon and thus moving there makes a lot of sense if your are in the aerospace/defense industry.
ReplyDelete