Apr. 16 -- Calling the aviation industry vital to local prosperity, the Wichita City Council and Sedgwick County Commission on Tuesday approved a $10 million-plus incentive package to help Cessna Aircraft develop and build its biggest plane ever.

In response, the company said it will immediately hire 200 to 300 people, mostly in engineering, to begin planning the Citation Columbus, a large business jet with intercontinental capabilities.

It's expected to eventually bring about 1,000 jobs with a $73 million annual payroll to Wichita.

Cessna expects to hire line workers to begin building prototypes in 2010 and 2011, with full production by 2013, said Jim Walters, Cessna's senior vice president for human resources.

The council and commission met jointly at City Hall on Tuesday. In a show of intergovernmental unity, the motion to approve the package was made by Mayor Carl Brewer and seconded by commission Chairman Tom Winters.

One by one, officials expressed support for the package.

Commissioner Dave Unruh said the agreement shows a "universal understanding how important the aviation industry is to our economic vitality."

Several members echoed his remarks, while others used their time to thank Cessna representatives in the audience for their investment in the community.

"As the last person to speak, I think I will just say I agree," said Vice Mayor Sharon Fearey.

The company expects to invest about $780 million in the project, officials said.

The city and county will each provide $5 million to Cessna in the form of forgivable loans.

Cessna won't have to pay the money back as long it meets contract terms on number of employees and wage scales for workers on the Columbus project, said Allen Bell, city economic development director.

City and county staffs will bring the detailed agreements to their respective boards for public hearings and a final vote later.

In addition, the city has agreed to consolidate and renegotiate lease terms on the 11 properties that Cessna rents on city-owned airport land, Bell said.

The new plane factory will have 800,000 square feet under the roof on 80 acres near Cessna facilities at Mid-Continent Airport, Bell said.

The city and county incentive packages come on top of as much as $33 million in state incentives approved by the Legislature early this month.

Two state lawmakers were in the audience Tuesday.

Rep. Melody McCray Miller, D-Wichita, said the rapid action by the state, county and city shows that governments can work together to "enrich our community with jobs."

House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, said the Cessna investment in Wichita benefits the entire state.

He called aviation one of "four engines" that power the state economy along with oil and gas, agriculture and service businesses in the Johnson County area.

Several officials said the cooperation at all levels of government sends a strong message to other states that they won't be able to lure Kansas aviation jobs away.

County Manager William Buchanan said Tuesday's action should tell states such as Georgia, Alabama, Texas and North Carolina that when it comes to trying to lure industries away, "poaching is not acceptable in this community."

Reach Dion Lefler at 316-268-6527.

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