(CHESTERFIELD, Mo., AP) — Gov. Jay Nixon is heading to St. Louis County to publicly pitch his plan to lure a new Boeing Co. aircraft plant to Missouri.

Nixon was scheduled to deliver a luncheon speech Wednesday to St. Louis business and civic leaders hosted by Progress 64 West, a group that promotes development along the Interstate 64 corridor.

The Democratic governor met privately with Boeing executives last week as Missouri competes with at least five other states to produce the Boeing 777X commercial airplane.

Republican state Senate Majority Leader Ron Richard subsequently said he supports special tax incentives to try to land the plant. Nixon has yet to offer a specific proposal.

A new plant would likely mean thousands of new jobs. Boeing says it expects to choose a location by early 2014.