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The Washington Aerospace Partnership supports several bills still under consideration. These bills address several different areas related to Washington's Aerospace Competitiveness.
State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SB 5976)
The SBCTC established the Center of Excellence and provides funding for core services. Funding for additional coordination activities has been secured through a federal grant for Air Washington. Legislation would direct the Center of Excellence, with input from an industry-led advisory board, to coordinate aerospace manufacturing training to meet industry demand for workers in Washington and implement outcomes based evaluation of results.
Advance Research & Development (SB 5982, HB 2155)
Create a Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation at UW and WSU to advance research on new technologies for products in aviation, aerospace and defense. The $1.5 million investment in start-up funds would form the Center and help the universities and industry to recruit additional support. Companies will provide additional support on a project basis where appropriate.
Extend Tax Credit Expiration (SB 5983)
The current B&O tax credit is equal to 1.5 percent of aerospace product development costs, including research, design and engineering activities performed in Washington. Extending the credit will ensure Washington remains a stable and predictable business environment for future aerospace development projects. The credit was enacted Dec. 1, 2003, and is set to expire July 1, 2024. This legislation proposes to extend the expiration date to July 1, 2034.
Produce More Engineering Degrees (Operating Budget)
Increasing the number of engineering degrees produced at Washington universities is critical to meeting the growing need for highly skilled aerospace workers. This proposal will expand capacity at the UW and WSU to graduate 775 more engineering students. The $7.6 million Investment would support the high cost portion of additional engineering student enrollments at the UW and WSU.
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