Maine’s Second Most Valuable Export: Aerospace

Exports of civilian aircraft, aviation engines and parts jumped more than 30 percent last year, becoming Maine’s second-most valuable export industry after seafood.

The total dollar value of Maine’s aerospace exports was a record $312 million last year, about 11 percent of the state’s $2.8 billion in foreign exports jumping more than 700 percent, from $37.8 million in 2006 to last year’s record.

The increase in exports from the aerospace industry coincides with declining export value in electric machinery, paper and wood products.

Though it is unclear what company, or companies, are driving the export increase, industry observers suspect that the Pratt & Whitney manufacturing plant in North Berwick is responsible for a good portion of the growth.

pressherald.com