— With a vote by Seattle machinists to accept a plan to reduce long-term retirement benefits, The Boeing Company announced early Saturday morning that it was forgoing its national search for a location to base production of its new 777x commercial aircraft and will instead keep it at its Washington plant.

Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, the leading proponent of an effort to lure the company to the state, praised local stakeholders for making Missouri one of the states that became a finalist for the project, but did not acknowledge the Missouri’s loss. Nixon in December called a special session of the General Assembly that cost the state $75,000 where lawmakers approved a $1.2 billion tax credit package for the company

“I want to thank the members of the General Assembly, our community colleges, and our local partners in business, labor and government for putting together a nationally-recognized proposal that made Missouri one of the finalists for production of the Boeing 777X,” Gov. Nixon said. “These efforts have demonstrated once again that with an outstanding business climate, strong schools and a highly-skilled workforce, Missouri is ready to compete in the 21st century global economy.”

The company had touted nearly $100 billion in pre-sale commitments and a potential of 8,000 jobs for wherever ultimately landed the production line.

The issue was a divisive one for Seattle workers, where only 51 percent of the machinist union members voted in favor of the contract. International Association of Machinists President Tom Buffenbarger said he believes Friday night’s vote was in the best interest of his members.

“Despite individual differences, I believe this vote preserves thousands of good-paying IAM jobs, while assuring the success of the 777X program,” he said.

With the company’s reduction in military aircraft production at its St. Louis facility, Boeing’s long-term future in the state is not incredibly clear. Nixon did tout Boeing’s decision in June to locate some 700 research and technology jobs in the region as proof that “Missouri is a top destination for high-tech jobs and investment.”