Pence Confirms That Indiana Is Among 15 States Bidding To Land $10 Billion Boeing Plant

The Northwest Indiana Times' Dan Carden received confirmation from Gov. Mike Pence on our earlier speculation based on an "Indiana Legislative Insight" item about a rumored big economic development project in the works that Indiana is quietly competing with many other states to land a $10 billion proposed Boeing plant that would build the aviation company's new 400-seat, 777X plane and a site near the Gary airport is the preferred location. "We have had contact with them and discussions, but I won't comment further on those," Pence said. "I will tell you, every opportunity that we are given to tell Indiana's story and make the case for Indiana — we do." State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso), a retired airline pilot, makes the case for the Northwest Indiana site.

State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said Indiana is the most logical place for Boeing to build the plane, given the state's strong manufacturing workforce and Purdue University's aeronautics programs — and Northwest Indiana boasts all the road, rail, port and airport connections Boeing is seeking.

"I'm enthused about what it could do for the Northwest Indiana economy, and I'm hoping we're the ones in consideration, because I think it could be great for us," Soliday said. "I could build you a good case for a Gary-area location."

Soliday, a pilot and former United Airlines executive, said the soon-to-be completed 8,900-foot runway at Gary/Chicago International Airport, which is already home to Boeing's Midwest corporate jet fleet, "is as good as 9,000."

Indianapolis, Terre Haute and Fort Wayne all have airport runways exceeding 9,000 feet, though none have the same road, rail and port connections as Northwest Indiana.