A Cincinnati-area company has been selected to make the engine that will power a regional jet that's being developed in China.

Evendale-based General Electric Engines says the engine represents a potential market of $3 billion over 20 years.

The engines will be made at GE's plant in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Company officials are calling the deal "a breath of fresh air," but they say it's too soon to tell whether the new business will prevent planned layoffs.

Last month, GE's jet engine division said it will eliminate 1,000 jobs this year and as many as 1,800 jobs next year because of airline industry struggles.

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