Expects To Create An Additional 2,000 Jobs Over Eight Years

Saying "Boeing is now part of the fabric of South Carolina," the company on Tuesday announced that it will invest $1 billion in its North Charleston manufacturing facility, which it expects should create some 2,000 additional jobs over the next eight years.

The announcement came at an aerospace manufacturing conference held in the state this week. South Carolina officials said they will provide $120 million in incentives to the planemaker for upfront expansion costs.

The Associated Press reports that in a statement released by company spokeswoman Candy Eslinger, Boeing said the move reflects an "unprecedented demand for commercial airplanes, including a forecast of another 34,000 airplanes required over the next 20 years." She said that Boeing is positioned for "significant growth" in the coming years.

The plant currently rolls one Dreamliner per month off its assembly line, and is ramping up for a rate of two per month in the next six weeks, according to plant general manager Jack Jones.

The plant also fabricates mid- and aft-body fuselage sections for airplanes to be assembled both in South Carolina and Everett, WA.

The South Carolina House and Senate both introduced incentive bills Tuesday to facilitate the expansion.

(Image provided by Boeing)

FMI: www.boeing.com