COLUMBIA, S.C. – July 15, 2010 – Gov. Mark Sanford, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, State Senator Hugh Leatherman and Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor today praised Boeing’s announcement that it will locate its new 787 Dreamliner interiors fabrication facility in N. Charleston, South Carolina.

“Since Boeing announced it would put down roots in South Carolina last fall, we’ve had continual reminders of just how momentous that decision was for our state’s economy,” Gov. Sanford said. “Since last October we’ve seen a number of aerospace-related companies choose South Carolina for new locations and expansions. The ‘ripple effect’ isn’t just rhetoric it has real-world implications with regard to jobs and capital investment. The news that Boeing will use a North Charleston facility to construct the interiors of the new Dreamliner, adding 150 new jobs, is the just the latest installment in a larger narrative of great economic news. Once again we’d thank the leadership at Boeing and say how much we value their presence in our state.”

“This is great news,” said U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. “I truly appreciate Boeing’s continued investment in South Carolina. Our citizens have made a strong commitment to Boeing and they have in turn made a strong commitment to South Carolina. We realize that the company’s success will reap benefits for the whole state. I look forward to continuing to work with Boeing in the years ahead.”

The new fabrication facility will be 10 miles (16 km) from Boeing’s 787 final assembly and delivery site in North Charleston. The close proximity of the two facilities will help improve the efficiency of the final assembly and delivery process in South Carolina.

“Today’s announcement related to Boeing interiors is another example of the strong relationship between Boeing and the State of South Carolina. When our team sealed the deal with Boeing last fall, we knew that the spin-off effects would be monumental. And, I anticipate there will be other announcements to follow,” said Sen. Hugh Leatherman, chairman Senate Finance Committee.

The interiors fabrication facility is expected to create more than 150 new jobs.

“This investment marks another step forward for the state’s growing aerospace industry. By locating an interiors facility in South Carolina, Boeing is committing to invest and create additional jobs in our state. The company’s announcement last fall to locate final assembly here continues to produce exciting results for N. Charleston and for the entire state. As investments by Boeing in South Carolina send a powerful message to the global marketplace that we have the strengths and capabilities to produce world-class products,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

At the new facility, the Interiors Responsibility Center South Carolina team will manufacture 787 interior parts, including stowbins, closets, partitions, class dividers, floor-mounted stowbins used by flight attendants, overhead flight-crew rests, overhead flight attendant crew rests, video-control stations and attendant modules. Construction of the facility is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2010.

More information: www.boeing.com

In an effort to further grow South Carolina’s role in the aerospace industry, an economic development team, led by the Department of Commerce, will be at the 2010 Farnborough International Airshow next week. For more information, please click here now!