Aerospace Manufacturing Day celebrates key Idaho industry

In response to the expansion and growing importance of aerospace manufacturing in the state, including Bonner County, Gov. C.L “Butch” Otter has designated June 1 as Aerospace Manufacturing Day in Idaho.

Otter’s proclamation recognizes that manufacturing is the single largest employer in Idaho’s aerospace industry, which is forecast to increase by 20 percent over the next 10 years, with sustained growth for another 20 years. “Idaho aerospace companies have developed innovative products for commercial aviation and unmanned aircraft systems,” Otter said.

Those companies are among some three dozen manufacturers located in northern Idaho, as well as 41 Idaho companies statewide that provide more than $13 million in products annually to Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company.

Special recognition was also afforded to North Idaho College’s Aerospace Center of Excellence, which offers programs of study in advanced manufacturing and airframe maintenance. Governor Otter also cited that Idaho has “…a business friendly climate and Tax Reimbursement Incentive” that is “… energizing the growth of existing aerospace manufacturing businesses and attracting new aerospace manufacturing businesses.”

Idaho’s Aerospace Manufacturing Day falls during The I-90 Aerospace Corridor Expo and Spring Conference, which will be held at the Coeur d’ Alene Resort, May 31 through June 2 in Coeur d’ Alene. The event is being organized and promoted cooperatively by the American Manufacturer Network of Lewiston, the Idaho Aerospace Alliance of Hayden, and the Inland Northwest Aerospace Consortium based in Spokane, Wash.

More information about the conference and expo is available at https://amnsolutions.regfox.com/i-90-aerospace or by contacting Bob Didocha, Executive Director of the American Manufacturing Network via email at bdidocha@amn-usa.org or by calling 208-503-6313. For more information about Aerospace Manufacturing Day contact the Idaho Governor’s office via email at governor@gov.idaho.gov or by calling 208-334-2100.