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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 17, 2004

SCHUMER WELCOMES HUNDREDS OF NEW LOCKHEED JOBS TO SYRACUSE AREA

Lockheed Martin announces 500 new engineering jobs headed to Syracuse area

Schumer: This gives Central NY economy the shot in the arm it sorely needs

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today said that the announcement that Lockheed Martin will bring up to 500 new engineers to the Syracuse area in 2005 is a huge boon for the local economy. Schumer, who attended the announcement today, said that the influx of new high-paying jobs are in addition to 750 high tech positions Lockheed Martin previously announced it will need to fill in Owego should the US101 helicopter win several near-term competitions.

"This will give the local economy a huge shot in the arm at a time when we need it so sorely," Schumer said. "We've still working to bring back as many jobs to the old Nestle plant as we can – and we're hoping that the Destiny project will eventually mean lots more jobs too. Today's announcement that hundreds of high-paying jobs are on the way brings a new wave of hope and excitement to the area and now we need to build off of it."

Lockheed's Syracuse business announced last October that it had won a $625 million contract for the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) and, as a result, would hire 40 additional employees by the end of the year, as well as another 260 by 2007. According to Lockheed, new hires planned for 2005 will also support a $413 million contract for the Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) radar program won in 2003, as well as several other programs.

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