Boeing breaks ground for new facility

Boeing has broken ground in Oklahoma on a new headquarters for its Aircraft Modernization and Sustainment division.

The new facility, on the company's existing campus in Oklahoma City, will be 290,000 square feet and accommodate 800 employees working in the areas of engineering and research and development.

It is scheduled to open next summer.

"We see a bright horizon for the aircraft sustainment business because of the highly trained and motivated workforce we have in Oklahoma City," said Global Services & Support President Leanne Caret . "Expanding our presence and bringing AM&S headquarters here continues a trend of combining Oklahoma's home-grown talent with the best of the enterprise to support some of our customers' most critical missions."

Boeing's Aircraft Modernization and Sustainment division is part of Global Services & Support. It provides support and modernization services for U.S. and coalition lift aircraft, executive transport, airborne refueling, airborne command-and-control platforms, and global strike capabilities.

The ground breaking on Wednesday was attended by Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, who said the new facility helps "will help solidify our [Oklahoma's] position as a premiere destination for the aerospace industry."

Boeing did not disclose the estimated cost of the new facility.