WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsLawmakers thrilled about Boeing plant in Charleston

Lawmakers thrilled about Boeing plant in Charleston

By Chandi Lowry - bio | email

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Lawmakers and residents in South Carolina are thrilled about a new Boeing 787 Dreamliner plant coming to the Palmetto State.

Boeing Co. had to choose whether to build their Dreamliner plant in North Charleston or in the state of Washington. The battle, however, was lost between Boeing and the International Association of Machinists Union.

Some workers in Washington are not happy that the company picked North Charleston. Because of the problems between Boeing and the union, South Carolina became more attractive.

State Representative Alan Clemmons said  the state's infrastructure, climate and workforce helped seal the deal, and now lawmakers are now looking forward to the benefits that the plant may bring.

"We're projecting within the next seven years, you'll see the industries ramp up," Clemmons commented. "Just think of how that's going to help us sell South Carolina to other businesses.  We've said for years that South Carolina is the best place to do business.  We've been trying to sell that message.  The message just became a little easier to sell."

There are only two places in the world where the large planes are made.  Boeing makes them in Washington state, Airbus makes the airliner in France and North Charleston will be the location of the third plant.

Leighton Lord, who works for the firm that represents Boeings, said the decision could attract people to South Carolina from around the world.

Construction on the new Boeing plant  could begin as early as November.

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