Boeing 777-9x

Boeing 777-9x

Boeing executives were joined today by Governor Jay Nixon, members of Missouri’s Congressional delegation and state and local elected officials to break ground on the company’s expansion in St. Louis to make parts for its 777X commercial aircraft.

Boeing announced in October it would expand its current composite facility and create up to 700 jobs in St. Louis to make parts for the plane. The facility is scheduled to be completed in 2016, with work on the parts for the plane to begin in 2017.

The project marks the first time Boeing has brought commercial aircraft production to St. Louis. Boeing’s St. Louis facilities have manufactured military aircraft.

Construction of the 367-thousand square-foot expanded facility will also provide up to 250 full-time construction jobs.