October 28, 2009 News+Opinion » News Shorts

Boeing picks Charleston 

Big catch in struggling economy

by Editorial Staff

Latest in News Shorts

Boeing will locate its second Dreamliner facility in Charleston. The company announced the move today after a last-minute incentives package approved by the state Senate and a reported breakdown in talks with union leaders in Washington, which was also competing for the site.

"This decision allows us to continue building on the synergies we have established in South Carolina with Boeing Charleston and Global Aeronautica," says Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, adding that this move will strengthen the company's competitiveness and sustainability and help it grow for the long term.

State House Speaker Bobby Harrell calls it the biggest economic development announcement in a decade.

"Today’s announcement declares to the global business community that South Carolina is back in the game and open for business," he says. "We want you to come to our state."

City Paper contributor Dan McCue wrote about what a Boeing facility would mean for Charleston earlier this month.

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Jason U., like I said in my previous comment: "for the record, I'm glad S.C. now has Boeing. I hope it works for Charleston. Just keep in mind all of the things brought up in these comments."
After all, all of us up here in the northwest can't be wrong about the union and all you down there can't be right about not having a union. It goes both ways, I guess and time will tell.
Good luck.

Posted by DM5228 on November 2, 2009 at 3:31 AM | Report this comment

DM, you make it sound like we should be scared that a major manufacturer is coming to Charleston. Do we look jaded yet over the fact that BMW has been here in SC for the past 17 years?

You simply don't understand that we don't need unions here. It's not part of our genetic makeup, if you will. We have high unemployment in this state, and our right-to-work laws help make us attractive to major employers. The BMW decision was one of the biggest, most positive economic developments ever for this state and the Boeing decision might be even bigger.

Believe me, we're happy.

Posted by Jason Usry on November 1, 2009 at 9:49 AM | Report this comment

As soon as big business arrives in your area --- the cost of living, in your neck of the woods, will skyrocket, but guess what? Your wages will stand still and sputter. Then you'll want to put your heads together and form a union!!
Big business will, in your area, cause prices of food, gas, homes, utilities to rise ... think about it --- your neighbors will want to cash in on the big picture, I think its called ...... GREED! The more people drawn to your area, (say because of Boeing and Microsoft), your demand for 'needs' will drive up the price of everything! That is, everything up, except your wages!
Hey, for the record, I'm glad S.C. now has Boeing. I hope it works for Charleston. Just keep in mind all of the things brought up in these comments.
By the way , I P Yuengling, thanks, but no thanks for your offer on the grits, biscuits and gravy --- sounds inviting and real healthy for your arteries! You might need to use your great medical plan to get them unplug!
I must say though.... I am a sucker for fried okra --- do you have that down there? (FYI -- I do have a great medical plan, thanks to the union).
Have a good day!

Posted by DM5228 on October 31, 2009 at 4:59 PM | Report this comment

Damn those corporate bean counters always trying to make a profit. It's not like there is any competition from Airbus to manufacture and sell planes on the world market. Don't those Boeing execs realize that the point of making billion dollar investments is to provide union jobs - profits must come second to that.

Don't worry about equipment manufactured in SC - we build armored humvees and BMW's here, and we'll build great airplanes here, too. As to the twelve hour work days - pay us time and a half and watch us smile and git 'er done......! I'll bet that in five years we will be running productivity rings around WA, and then there will be a migration of that states best and brightest Boeing employees to sunny SC, where the cost of living is manageable, great health care is available, and the ocean is warm and inviting. We'll keep the grits, biscuits and gravy warm in the mean time. See y'all soon!

Posted by I P Yuengling on October 31, 2009 at 3:41 PM | Report this comment

Sorry beamerbuilder1, but it's not so much that I am a sore loser as it is that I see a great company in a race to mediocrity in the name of stock prices and bigger executive compensation.

Boeing has built many great products. My father worked on developing the E3A AWACS, SATCOM, Minuteman ground systems, Boston Rapid Transit, and the E4B Command Post to name a few. I have worked on the 707, 727, 737, 757, and E6 (Navy version of the E3A AWACS) programs. In the Puget Sound area we have a history with Boeing that generates pride when we see the results of our efforts fly by.

In the effort to build the cheapest product possible, it is getting to the point where Boeing may lose its reputation for being the best product available. I DO hope the the workers in SC step up to the plate and build a top notch airplane - and can bring home a livable (non-union) wage that will allow them to get ahead in their lives and aspirations.

Posted by beeter on October 30, 2009 at 7:31 PM | Report this comment

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