WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Bruce Braley (D-IA) and Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) today praised the announcement by Cobham, a global aerospace and defense company, that it will be expanding its Davenport facility.

Cobham specializes in developing air defense capabilities, including fighter and transport oxygen needs systems, external fuel tanks, and air refueling. It will be transferring some of its engineering and production operations from California to Davenport to form an aerial tanker refueling center of excellence.  The Davenport facility currently employs 365 people.  The move is expected to create over 80 new local jobs in the next year and an additional 200 jobs in the future.

"I'm excited that Cobham is making such a significant investment in its Davenport operations," Braley said. "Cobham's investment will strengthen the economy by immediately bringing at least 80 good-paying jobs to the Quad Cities.  This announcement means exciting things for the Quad Cities." 

"Cobham's decision to expand its Davenport facility is great news for my district," Hare said. "At a time when our economy is slumping, the value of new, good-paying jobs cannot be overstated."