The number of workers in the Snohomish County Manufacturing cluster totaled nearly 34,000 as of April 2010. Employment within the industry increased 26% from 2002 and 1% from 2009. Geographically, the industry and supplier network is concentrated in King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Spokane counties. Greater Seattle, including Everett, has one of the highest concentrations of aerospace workers and firms in the world. While all manufacturing industries are important and noteworthy, Blueprint 2015 emphasizes aerospace, as there is arguably no industry in the nation that is more global in scope than is Washington’s aerospace industry—and Snohomish County lies at its epicenter. In the words of United States Senator Patty Murray, “History shows that our work to support our aerospace industry in the nation’s capital and abroad must be backed up by a solid foundation at home. Only by standing as one will we have the strength to support this vital industry and the jobs it creates…Together, we can make sure that the aerospace industry keeps soaring.”

The Manufacturing cluster focuses on:

• Aircraft manufacturing
• Aircraft enging and engine parts manufacturing
• Other aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment manufacturing
• Boat building