JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Gov. Charlie Crist toured the Boeing's Cecil Commerce Center repair facility Wednesday morning, which modifies and maintains FA-18 Hornet jets for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

The Boeing facility is relocating the facility and workforce to Jacksonville, expected to result in a $3.3 million annual impact on the local economy.

Crist thanked the 180 Boeing employees who work at Cecil -- a number that should increase to 215 by December.

“Boeing’s success in Florida demonstrates the strength of our aviation sector and the state’s highly-skilled workforce,” Crist said. “Florida continues to emerge as a leader in the American aviation industry, and Boeing’s innovative and dedicated workers are playing a significant role in that development.”

The facilities has retooled 600 jets and returned them to service, including the next generation of Hornets for the Blue Angels flight demonstration team.

Boeing is expected to complete the relocation of a structural repair facility from Arizona to Cecil Commerce Center by the end of the year.