Northwest region assess Paris

EVERETT, Wash. – Companies and organizations are taking inventory of leads developed at the Paris Air Show. The Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance, Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development and Aerospace Futures Alliance organized a state aerospace pavilion at the show. Eleven Northwest aerospace companies participated. Organizers estimate there were about 80 meetings. (Source: Everett Herald, 06/29/09) Gulf Coast note: The Gulf Coast region also had representatives at the show. A common tie between the Northwest and Gulf Coast is competition between Boeing and Northrop Grumman for the Air Force tanker project. Boeing wants to build the planes in Washington, and Northrop and partner EADS want to build them in Mobile, Ala.