Today, Snohomish County, in Washington State, is home to roughly 160 aerospace companies. The state has more than 650. But the future of the industry in the county and region is uncertain.

Will aerospace continue to grow here?

Roughly a year ago, Boeing Co. officials met secretly with representatives of the company's Machinists union to try to negotiate a long-term labor contract. Boeing had a decision to make: where to put a second 787 production line. In October, the company picked South Carolina over Washington.

"Boeing sent a huge statement when they picked South Carolina," said Deborah Knutson, executive director with the Economic Development Council of Snohomish County. And it wasn't one many suppliers in Washington wanted to hear.

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