Sebelius signs Cessna Bill in Wichita
Investment in aviation industry has positive economic impact across the state

To encourage continued growth in the Kansas economy, Governor Kathleen Sebelius today signed a bill expanding the Economic Revitalization and Reinvestment Act to provide new resources for the aviation industry.

“There is a reason Cessna has stayed – and expanded – in Kansas. We have a great business climate with our skilled workers, low taxes and safe communities,” Sebelius said. “This bill continues our commitment to recruit and retain impressive companies like Cessna Aircraft.”

While in Wichita today, the governor signed HB 2006 which provides $33 million in bonds for Cessna to build the new Citation Columbus Business Jet. HB 2006 applies only to aircraft companies with average salaries of at least $50,000 and a payroll of at least $300 million. The bill provides that the Kansas Development Finance Authority will issue up to $33 million per project and $150 million total in cash incentives for large aircraft companies.

Nearly 100 years ago Clyde Cessna and Walter Beech came to Kansas, joined a fledgling industry, and made history. Today, over 50 percent of the airplanes flown in the world are made in Kansas. Cessna is Kansas’ second largest private employer. This latest project is expected to create 1,010 jobs at an average salary of $73,000.

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* Correction note: In yesterday’s press release on bills signed by the Governor, a bill number was listed incorrectly: the Military Service Scholarship Program should be listed as SB 437. The online version has been corrected. We apologize for the error.