South Carolina Statehouse Blog

 RECORD INVESTMENT, JOBS ANNOUNCEMENT MOVES FORWARD IN LOWCOUNTRY

Columbia, S.C. - November 20, 2009 - Gov. Mark Sanford today joined
state and local leaders and existing Boeing employees in officially
breaking ground for Boeing Company’s new facility that will house the
second production line for the 787 Dreamliner.

“This groundbreaking sets into motion what we believe will be
revolutionary and indeed generational changes to our state’s economy,”
said Gov. Mark Sanford. “Not only for the thousands of jobs and
hundreds of millions in investment - in fact, the largest announcement
in South Carolina history - but also for the way Boeing’s expansion
will spur on an already growing aerospace hub in our state, this is
extremely good news. Yet it’s also a challenge: a challenge to not
rest on our laurels and instead redouble efforts to improve our
state’s business climate; a challenge to use this momentum to push
through tough economic headwinds; and a challenge to capitalize on
this renewed cooperation between political leadership in Columbia and
hard-working citizens across the state to make South Carolina a better
place to live, work and raise a family.

“I’d again express appreciation to existing Boeing employees in the
Lowcountry for their confidence in Boeing’s management, to the Boeing
Company for returning that confidence, to Commerce Secretary Joe
Taylor and his team for their tireless efforts, to U.S. Senator Graham
and S.C. Senator Leatherman and other legislators for their vital
role, and to the many local leaders and stakeholders for their help in
making this record-setting day possible.”

-###-