March 10, 2010

It may be hard to see the connection between "Walt's" restaurant, and the Air Force tanker deal, but Walt's employee Theresa Ice knows it's there.

"A lot of our customers are Spirit employees and we get in a lot of call-in orders from them too," said Ice.

Walt's is just down the street from Boeing and Spirit facilities, so it's a hot spot for workers to take a lunch break.

"They're very loyal customers," said Ice.

But as aviation workers have continued to lose their jobs, Walt's has continued to lose its customers.

"I've heard about how it used to be a lot busier during the afternoon, and how it's half as busy as it used to be," said Ice.

But soon, business could be picking up, if Boeing wins the $35 billion tanker contract. A new study shows Boeing could create up to 70,000 U.S. jobs if it wins the bid. The study also estimates Northrop Grumman would only create up to around 7,000 U.S. jobs. This comes just days after Northrop Grumman pulled out of the race.

"It's literally, a ten times better deal to have an American tanker made by American workers at an American company," said U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt.

Some of those 70,000 jobs could come to Wichita. Lawmakers estimate the contract would create around 1,000 direct aviation positions in the air capital, which could make an impact on the local economy.

"They're going to go out to eat, they're going to buy cars, they're going to buy homes, and so it's good for our whole economy," said Tiahrt.

It could also be good for restaurants like Walt's.

"I think it helps everybody in the long run," said Ice.

Congressman Tiahrt attended a hearing with top leaders in the Air Force Wednesday. He says there's not currently another company, besides Boeing, that says it will try to win the tanker contract. But the Air Force will be accepting any other proposals for the next couple of months.