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Senator Baucus Announces General Electric Looking to Expand Business in Montana

Senator Announces GE Aviation Symposium Coming to Montana during APEC Breakfast for Montana Businesses

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus announced today at the APEC meetings in Big Sky that General Electric will create new opportunities for Montana businesses by holding a GE Aviation Small Business Supplier Symposium in Billings August 8th. The symposium is designed to increase the business GE Aviation does with Montana by coaching and mentoring local companies on doing business with GE Aviation through panel discussions and one-on-one sessions.

"My hat goes off to the Montana business men and women representing our state at APEC. Montana businesses are really shining on the global stage and showing the world what amazing things can be done when you combine smart innovation and a good, old-fashioned Montana work ethic," Baucus said. "GE knows firsthand just how great Montana is to do business with from the partnerships they’ve made at our Economic Development Summits. I can’t wait for Montana business owners to bring their skills to the table to create even more good-paying jobs at the GE Aviation symposium later this year."

"We are thrilled with the opportunity to learn more about Montana small businesses and what they have to offer in this time of growth," said Melissa Twiningdavis, GE Aviation Sourcing Leader.

Baucus made the announcement with representatives of GE today during a breakfast to thank the Montana businesses participating in APEC. The APEC meetings Baucus brought to Big Sky this year have yielded unprecedented private-sector involvement.

GE will send invitations to the August symposium in June to those Montana businesses that match GE Aviation commodities. As a result of past symposiums, generally 40 percent of the participating companies moved on to the next phase of potentially doing business with GE, meaning they were able to submit price quotes to GE for aerospace parts and services on a study basis. Other companies will be provided valuable feedback on the next steps toward doing business with GE and connected with state resources to help move them to the next level.

Following an invitation to Baucus’ Montana Economic Development Summit in 2007, GE built its Center of Excellence in Billings, which currently employs 170 Montanans and is looking to expand and add nearly 100 more jobs. Baucus brought GE Chairman and CEO, Jeff Immelt, to tour the Billings facility and participate in his Economic Development Summit in Butte in September. As a direct result, GE connected with Butte-based foundry and titanium castings company, SeaCast to create good paying jobs for Montanans.

Additional Background on GE Aviation

GE Aviation employs approximately 37,000 employees and operates more than 50 manufacturing and service facilities around the world. The company invests $1 billion annually in jet propulsion R&D programs. This long tradition of commitment to new technology has helped GE establish its leadership position in the industry with a proud list of "firsts" in both the military and commercial jet propulsion, tracing back to 1942 with America’s first jet engine.

GE Aviation, a GE operating unit based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft.

Contact: Kate Downen (406) 224-5056/Jennifer Donohue (202) 224-2651/Kathy Weber (406) 698-1477

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