OKLAHOMA CITY
(AP) 2002
—
In 1991, Oklahoma City lost a United Airlines maintenance center and a promise of 7,500 jobs to Indianapolis.
More than 10 years later, only about 1,500 work at the facility and the world's second-largest airline has filed the largest bankruptcy in aviation history.
Former Oklahoma City Mayor Ron Norick said missing out on the United maintenance facility was disappointing, but he noted that it led to a long-reaching taxpayer investment in the city.
``You wouldn't have had MAPS because the United deal would have tied up that tax money,'' Norick said. ``Take away the canal, the ballpark, the Ford Center, the library. Scratch it all, and just see where we'd be.''
Even though Indianapolis won the maintenance center, United Airlines hasn't fulfilled all its promises.
Last year, officials threatened to impose fines because less than half the 7,500 positions were filled. United also had not come through with a promise of an $800 million investment in the city.