Surprise contender for 7E7: Moses Lake

Boeing is now considering two sites in Washington state for final assembly of its proposed 7E7: Everett, where it currently builds widebody jets, and Moses Lake, the small town east of the Cascades where Boeing has tested planes since the 1950s.

Boeing's surprising interest in Moses Lake was confirmed by several people familiar with the state's efforts to win the 7E7 final assembly site.

Boeing executives first expressed interest in Moses Lake last month, sources said, when they briefed state and local leaders on the criteria the company would use to choose a site to build its next new airplane.

Moses Lake was also discussed as a possible 7E7 assembly site during a conference call Tuesday between Gov. Gary Locke and local business leaders.

A Boeing spokeswoman declined comment. "We're not going to engage in speculation on which sites may or may not be considered," said Mary Hanson.

Locke's office declined to comment but issued a statement:

"Wherever the 7E7 is assembled in Washington, the whole state benefits. We've pulled together the best statewide team to make the best business case to Boeing to build the 7E7 in Washington."

Moses Lake, 176 miles east of Seattle on Interstate 90, is a town of about 15,000. Nearby Grant County International Airport has a 13,500-foot runway, one of the country's longest.

The mammoth airfield was expanded in the 1950s to support a squadron of B-52 bombers, and Boeing has used it to test airplanes ever since.

Boeing still owns 150 acres and an airplane hangar adjacent to the airport, but it primarily uses the airport for touch-and-go operations and takeoff and landings.

Moses Lake does not have a deep-water port, which is one of Boeing's criteria. But the area is reachable by rail and highway. Pasco, 71 miles away, is on the Columbia River.

ASPI Group, a real-estate developer that owns roughly 800 acres of land adjacent to Grant County airport, has been asked to supply data in support of the state's response to Boeing.

Kim Foster, ASPI general counsel, said he was contacted by Terry Brewer, executive director of the Grant County Economic Development Council, which encompasses Moses Lake.

Brewer, in turn, said he had been asked for data on Moses Lake by Sharon Wallace, communications director for the state economic-development office.

"The 7E7 is a big project and the state is working hard to bring that project to Washington," Brewer said. "I'm providing some support data to the state."

"I think Moses Lake is a wonderful site and should be considered," said Republican state Sen. Joyce Mulliken, who represents Grant County.

She cited, among other attractions, available land, attractive flying weather and a lack of traffic congestion. "The whole goal is to keep Boeing in Washington state," she added.

Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Pasco, who represents Washington's 4th Congressional District, also has weighed in on the community's behalf, said Jessica Gleason, Hastings' press secretary.

David Bowermaster: 206-464-2724 or dbowermaster@seattletimes.com

Correction: This article incorrectly stated that Terry Brewer, executive director of the Grant County Economic Development Council, received a request for data about Moses Lake from Sharon Wallace, communications director for Washingtons economic-development office, to support the states bid to win final assembly of Boeings proposed 7E7. The Office of Community, Trade and Economic Development, led by director Martha Choe, is the point of contact for the states response to Boeings request for proposals.