LONG BEACH : Hughes’ $100-Million Center Brings 1,500 Jobs

Hughes Electronics Corp. will bring nearly 1,500 jobs to the city--hard-hit by defense industry cuts--by building a new satellite center and relocating company staff from outlying areas.

Plans for the $100-million satellite broadcasting center were revealed during a groundbreaking ceremony last week. The facility will create about 100 new jobs.

About 400 staff members from Hughes Communications Inc. will be moved to Long Beach from their El Segundo offices about 40 miles away, said Kevin McGrath, president and chief executive officer of Hughes Communications.

“We need room to expand, and we’d like to have everyone closer together,” said Steven R. Schoen, director of material and administration.

About 1,000 workers will be transferred to Long Beach from Fullerton. Those employees are part of Hughes Aircraft Co.’s naval and maritime ventures.

Hughes already employs nearly 1,000 people in Long Beach.

Aircraft Firm Agrees to $1-Million Settlement

McDonnell Douglas Corp. will pay more than $1 million to settle a lawsuit over a Christmas Eve fuel spill that sent 12,000 gallons of chemicals into the Los Cerritos flood control channel, killing some marine animals.

The agreement reached Monday in Long Beach Superior Court requires the company to pay $962,300 in costs, environmental restoration, civil penalties and other compensation.

Douglas also agreed to make improvements at the Douglas Aircraft plant where the spill occurred and install new equipment at a cost of about $70,000.

The company has ongoing plans to install a $1.8-million spill monitoring and containment system by Jan. 1.