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Montana Senator Max Baucus Announces Open Registration for General Electric Symposium Unveiled at APEC

Senator Encourages Qualified Montana Businesses to Take Advantage of Opportunity to Expand Business, Create Jobs

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus announced open registration today for the General Electric Aviation Small Business Supplier Symposium to be held in Billings August 8th. Baucus is encouraging all qualified Montana businesses to register http://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/25161 for the symposium, which is designed to connect Montana manufacturers and suppliers who match GE Aviation’s commodities with opportunities to do businesses with GE. Baucus and GE first announced http://www.kulr8.com/news/local/Baucus-Unveils-Business-Opportunity-122275959.html the symposium as part of the APEC international trade meetings held in Big Sky in May.

"We’ve proven time and time again that when opportunity meets good, old fashioned Montana work ethic, the possibilities are endless," Baucus said. "I can’t wait to see how Montana businesses take advantage of the opportunities presented by the GE Aviation Symposium to create even more good-paying Montana jobs."

"We are very excited to learn more about what Montana small businesses have to offer in this time of growth. Capacity, technology and capability will be big themes for the upcoming event," said Susan Green, GE Aviation, Supplier Development.

The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, the Montana World Trade Center and Montana PTAC sent the attached invitation to their members today. Montana businesses can register and learn more about whether they qualify HERE http://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/25161 .

"This symposium will help GE Aviation explore new supplier possibilities with Montana companies that are recognized as some of the most entrepreneurial in the country," said Steve Holland, Director of the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC). "It’s a real opportunity for manufacturers interested in growing their business. MMEC staff stands ready to assist qualified firms to expand capacity and fine-tune quality systems for more success as suppliers to a world leader in the aviation industry."

"We are very excited about the opportunity that is being offered to Montana businesses. We are pleased to be their partner and are providing our full support to the process that will allow many more Montana businesses to work with GE Aviation," said Montana World Trade Center Executive Director Arnie Sherman.

"It isn’t often that a business like GE comes to Montana looking for business expertise. We are hopeful that this symposium will be the first of many meetings between GE Aviation and Montana firms. We have very capable companies in Montana, and quite often it is only an event such as this that allows those businesses to demonstrate their talents," said Jason Porch, Billings Director of Montana PTAC.

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 and Symposium Agenda

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. 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.

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

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