SEATTLE – The aerospace giant Boeing Co. stunned Seattle on Wednesday with the news that it will move its headquarters from its only home during the past 85 years to either Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth or Denver.
Boeing said the new headquarters would have fewer than half the 1,000 employees currently working at the company’s Seattle corporate center. The company’s massive commercial jet manufacturing plants will remain in the Seattle area, as will much of its research and development.
Boeing employs 78,400 people in the Seattle area and is the state’s largest private employer. Worldwide, it has 198,900 workers, with major operations also in St. Louis and Southern California.
Washington Gov. Gary Locke said he was blindsided by the decision, but did not know what else the state could have done.
“I don’t really believe there’s anything we can do financially to entice (Boeing chairman Phil) Condit to have his office here in Seattle,” Locke said. “The tax breaks we’ve offered are benefiting Boeing, and I think that’s why they’re keeping their manufacturing facilities here.”
Brokers said the fact that Boeing has narrowed its search to three areas — all with huge airports — indicated that company representatives or consultants have probably also winnowed down sites within each region. Where they will go, however, remains a mystery.
Money will be one factor: Condit, who is also Boeing’s chief executive, said the company will consider taxes and other economic considerations the candidate cities might offer.
