Boeing Breaks Ground On S.C. 787 Plant

Planemaker is breaking ground in South Carolina on a $750 million plant for assembling its 787 jetliners; new plant expected to create 3,800 jobs within 7 years.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- Work has officially started on building Boeing's $750 million aircraft assembly plant in South Carolina -- the largest industrial investment in state history.

Multiple media outlets reported that officials scooped ceremonial shovels full of dirt Friday at the site near the Charleston International Airport where Boeing will assemble its 787 jetliners.

The company last month chose North Charleston over Everett, Wash., for the assembly plant, but Boeing's commercial airplane division president Jim Albaugh says the new plant should still more jobs to Washington, too.

The North Charleston plant is expected to create 3,800 jobs within seven years and construction will mean another 2,000 jobs.

Boeing received an incentive package from South Carolina of up to $170 million.

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