Boeing-Wichita is one of the companies which will participate in the design and manufacture of some sub-assemblies for the 7E7 Dreamliner. "Basically, what this means is we've made the cut. So we're one step closer to being on that final list to have significant, meaningful work on the program," said Boeing spokesman Fred Solis.

While hundreds of other U-S cities are competing to land the 7E7 final assembly, Boeing-Wichita is competing in its strong suit of building large sub-assemblies.

Boeing Wichita has a hand in building sections of Boeing's other airliners except the 717. That includes some composite work on the 777. The 7E7 will have more composite material than Boeing's other planes.

Boeing will announce which companies will build particular parts for the 7E7 Dreamliner later this year.