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Mo. Senate OKs Bombardier lure

Eagle staff and news services

The Missouri Senate on Thursday approved a $240 million tax-credit program that state officials hope will lure Bombardier Aerospace to build an assembly plant in Kansas City.

After nearly five hours of debate, the Senate voted 24-8 to pass the bill, which has already won approval in the House. The bill will move back to the House to reconcile differences and then to the governor for final approval.

The legislation adds a new "mega-project" designation to a state's tax credit program that provides up to $240 million in tax credits over eight years to projects that invest $300 million in the state and guarantee creation of at least 1,000 jobs.

Bombardier is considering Kansas City International Airport as the site of a $400 million aircraft-assembly plant that could create 2,100 jobs.

Passage of the legislation does not commit Montreal-based Bombardier to build the plant at KCI. Missouri is said to be competition with Canada.

Bombardier is expected to make a decision on the site of the plant by this summer.

Boeing Co.

Boeing will have a technology demonstrator for its KC-767 tanker on display today at the Statehouse in Topeka.

The display is part of an ongoing effort by Boeing to show why the KC-767 is the best solution for the Air Force's aerial refueling program, the company said.

Boeing is appealing the Air Force's decision to award a contract replacing aerial refuelers to Northrop Grumman, which will use Airbus aircraft.

A trailer housing the demonstrator is open to the public and visitors can take part in hands-on activities.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is scheduled to tour the trailer at 10:30 a.m.

• Boeing began final assembly Thursday of its third 787 Dreamliner to be used in flight testing the new airliner. It's the fifth 787 to begin final assembly.

After assembly is completed on the aircraft, the plane will be fitted with an interior as part of the flight-test program and certification process.

There are 25 787s in various stages of production with suppliers around the world, the company said.

The first airplane is expected to have "power on" in June.