Tucson-based Raytheon Missile Systems plans to expand its Southern Arizona operations by adding nearly 2,000 jobs over a five year period, the company announced Friday morning.
Raytheon, already the region's biggest private employer, said it plans to hire workers at all skill levels with an emphasis on engineering and other higher-wage, technical positions.
Job creation, facilities expansion and operational output is expected to result in billions of dollars of economic impact for Arizona over 10 years.
City officials are working on a tax-incentive deal to help Raytheon expand.
In the deal, the company could spend $400 million in new construction on city-owned land near Tucson International Airport, Mayor Jonathan Rothschild said.
“These rewarding, high technology jobs will support Raytheon’s growth and bring even more top talent to this region,” said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. “The strong support we receive from state and local organizations is essential to our expansion plans, and will help provide Raytheon with the workforce and infrastructure to meet the growing demand we are seeing from our customers.”
Partners in the expansion initiative include the state of Arizona, Arizona Commerce Authority, Pima County, City of Tucson, Sun Corridor Inc., Tucson Electric Power and the Tucson Airport Authority.
