MOSES LAKE - Boeing wants to extend its lease with the Port of Moses Lake until the end of the year.

The extension request is for Boeing's next flight test program, said Craig Baldwin, executive manager of the Port of Moses Lake, on Tuesday.

He told a group of Grant County port representatives that a Boeing representative called him last night to discuss the lease.

Boeing was leasing port space for $8,434 per month for its 747 flight test program.

The monthly lease was supposed to end March 7. Now the company is here until the end of the year.

Baldwin talked about the business Boeing provides to area hotels, restaurants and rental car businesses.

"They're definitely a partner at the port and in the community," Baldwin said. "It's good - good for our economy."

Last week, the Air Force announced it awarded a $35 billion contract, to build new refueling places, to Boeing, according to the Associated Press.

The contract is expected to bring about 50,000 jobs to the country.

Production occurs in Everett, Wichita, and many other states.

The Air Force is currently using KC-135s for refueling.

Some of the aircraft are landing at the Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake because Fairchild Air Force Base temporarily moved to Moses Lake while its runway is being repaired.