WICHITA — Gov. Sam Brownback announced a $16 million incentive package today to help expand Bombardier’s Learjet plant and develop the Learjet 85 midsize jet in Wichita. The expansion could create 450 new jobs over the next seven to 10 years, Brownback said. The company said it will invest $600 million to develop the Learjet 85.
The announcement comes a week after Boeing announced it will leave Wichita, eliminating nearly 2,200 jobs. The state is also pushing the Air Force to reverse a decision that disqualified Hawker Beechcraft from a contract for an advanced trainer and light attack plane. Hawker Beechcraft says that could cost Wichita another 800 jobs. Last month, the Air Force ordered Sierra Nevada, the American partner to the Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer, which was the sole company to qualify, to stop working on the contract.
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 3 p.m.
