The North County operation will build parts of the wing and tail of the 777X, Boeing’s 400-passenger, long-haul addition to its 777 line. Boeing has 300 orders for the plane and is hunting more for a project that should continue through the next decade.

Boeing, which employs about 15,000 locally, chose St. Louis “to leverage the skill of our employees,” said Christopher Chadwick, president of Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security division that is based here.

Boeing considered other sites, but St. Louis “became a real natural” for the work, he said.

The state and St. Louis County promised tax breaks and other incentives, although officials said the final amount will depend on what Boeing actually builds and how many it hires.

Engineering work on the 777X is already underway in St. Louis, Chadwick said. “Design will really kick into full force in the next few months,” he said.

Ground may be broken for the plant expansion by year end, a Boeing spokesman said. Boeing hasn’t released size or cost details project.

“This is the first time Boeing has brought commercial manufacturing here,” Gov. Jay Nixon noted at a news conference.

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