Boeing 787 plant will have $6 billion annual impact in S.C.

Published 8:46 am Thursday, May 20, 2010

The South Carolina economy will see an economic benefit of about $6 billion annually from the Boeing Co.’s 787 factory there.

A new study released today by an economist found that state will benefit more from Boeing’s 787 final assembly factory than initially expected.

Last year, Boeing selected Charleston, S.C., as the site of its second 787 final assembly line. The original line is here in Everett.

Boeing CEO Jim McNerney talked briefly about the South Carolina factory during an investors conference today.

Ultimately, the South Carolina “facility will be self-sufficient” and be able to continue producing 787s in the event of a labor strike in the Puget Sound region, McNerney said.