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NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Boeing South Carolina plans to increase production with a facility expansion.

Officials with Boeing South Carolina broke ground on a facility expansion in North Charleston on Friday afternoon.

The company produces the 787 Dreamliner across South Carolina campuses. The new 1.2 million-square-foot site will work as a final assembly building for airplane production, production support and office space.

The more than $1 billion expansion will increase production to a rate of 10 airplanes per month in 2026.

Governor Henry McMaster, along with U.S. Representatives Jim Clyburn and Nancy Mace and Joe Wilson, attended the groundbreaking.

U.S. Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent calls the expansion a testament to President Donald Trump’s economic agenda.

“I think South Carolina and this Boeing plant is the model for President Trump’s economic agenda in terms of reindustrializing America,” Bessent says. “We have gotten out of the business of building things, manufacturing, and we are bringing that back home.”

Boeing leader of 787 Final Assembly Caroline Hilton McDougal says this expansion is an opportunity for the company to reach former production heights.

“During COVID, we went from the program being at rate 14 all the way down to basically being at 1 or 2 airplanes a month, and now we’re on our way back up,” McDougal says. “When we roll out, get back up to the rates that we previously been at, this is going to be the best place in the world that builds wide-body airplanes.”

The facility is designed to support the increasing market demand of more than 2,500 orders from 90 customers worldwide. The company already has more than 300 orders this year. Officials expect a future demand of 7,800 widebody airplanes over the next 20 years.

An estimated 1,000 new jobs will be created over the next five years from the development.

An additional 2,500 jobs are expected to be filled for the site’s construction. Over 6.2 million construction hours will be completed through HITT Contracting and BE&K Building Group.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Boeing on Friday celebrated the groundbreaking of a $1 billion expansion at its Boeing South Carolina campus, marking a major milestone for the 787 Dreamliner program and the state’s growing aerospace industry.

The expansion will add more than one million square feet to Boeing’s footprint in North Charleston, supporting plans to increase 787 Dreamliner production to 10 airplanes per month by 2026. Company officials said the project will create more than 1,000 new jobs in the Lowcountry.

“We are proud to work alongside American businesses to build the world’s greatest products," said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, "create high-paying jobs, and safeguard our nation’s economic and industrial strength.”

Boeing first announced the expansion plans in late 2024, outlining a series of upgrades to its South Carolina operations near Charleston International Airport and a second campus in North Charleston. The project includes a new final assembly building, new parts preparation and vertical fin paint facilities, expanded flight line stalls, and additions to the Interiors Responsibility Center.

Construction is led by a joint venture and is expected to employ 2,500 workers and totaling over 6.2 million construction hours, company officials said.

"The new South Carolina, it's the New South and it's the wave of states where it's easy to do business, have great workforces, or you know, there're states where people are fleeing," Bessent said.

Gov. Henry McMaster called the investment “a tremendous vote of confidence in our state’s people and business climate.”

“This $1 billion expansion and 1,000 new jobs will strengthen our position as a global leader in aerospace and advanced manufacturing,” McMaster added.

U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, along with U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, also praised Boeing’s continued commitment to South Carolina, citing the company’s role in job creation and innovation.

Since opening in 2009, Boeing South Carolina has grown into one of the state’s largest manufacturing centers, employing more than 8,200 people across its North Charleston and Orangeburg campuses.

Workers there fabricate, assemble, and deliver the 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 Dreamliners to customers worldwide. With more than 1,200 Dreamliners delivered and nearly 1,000 aircraft in backlog, including 300 new orders this year, the 787 remains the best-selling widebody passenger jet in history.

Boeing’s latest market outlook projects airlines will need 7,800 new widebody airplanes globally over the next 20 years.

Officials said the expansion reaffirms Boeing’s long-term commitment to South Carolina and its role in shaping the state’s future as a hub for advanced aerospace manufacturing.

In late 2024, Boeing announced plans to expand and upgrade its site near Charleston International Airport and a second campus. The company is investing more than $1 billion in this infrastructure program and plans to create more than 1,000 new jobs over the next five years. The expansion will include:

The construction effort will employ more than 2,500 people with over 6.2 million construction hours from the joint venture of HITT Contracting and BE&K Building Group.

Ninety customers from around the world have placed more than 2,250 orders for the 787 Dreamliner family, making it the best-selling widebody passenger airplane of all time.

After more than 1,200 deliveries, the 787 backlog stands at nearly 1,000 airplanes, including more than 300 orders added just this year. In all, the commercial aviation industry is expected to need more than 7,800 new widebody airplanes over the next two decades, according to Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook.

"We continue to see strong demand for the 787 Dreamliner family and its market-leading efficiency and versatility. We are making this significant investment today to ensure Boeing is ready to meet our customer's needs in the years and decades ahead, said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "This site expansion is a testament to the incredible work of our Boeing teammates and deepens our commitment to them, to South Carolina, and to American manufacturing."

For more than a decade, BSC has been the home of the full 787 Dreamliner production cycle. Teammates fabricate, assemble and deliver the three Dreamliner models – 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 – to customers around the world. The company established operations in South Carolina in 2009 and currently employs more than 8,200 people across its campuses in North Charleston and in Orangeburg.

"With visionary leadership, President Trump is restoring America's industrial base and breathing life back into our great manufacturing states, including the great state of South Carolina," said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. "We are proud to work alongside American businesses to build the world's greatest products, create high-paying jobs, and safeguard the economic and national security of our nation."

"Boeing's continued investment in South Carolina is a tremendous vote of confidence in our state's people and business climate," said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. "This $1 billion expansion and the creation of 1,000 new jobs will strengthen our position as a global leader in aerospace and advanced manufacturing. We are grateful for Boeing's partnership and commitment to the Lowcountry, which will bring new opportunities and economic prosperity across our state."

"Boeing's decision to dramatically increase production capability of the 787 in Charleston is the ultimate vote of confidence for the South Carolina workforce," said U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. "I'm so pleased that Boeing is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to South Carolina. The Boeing employees in our state have proven that they are worth the investment. This expanded production will create more jobs and ensure the viability of Boeing in South Carolina for decades to come."

"Today's groundbreaking represents a significant milestone not just for Boeing but for the state of South Carolina," said U.S. Senator Tim Scott. "This expansion will create more than a thousand quality jobs and reinforce our state's leadership in developing a strong workforce and pro-business environment. I look forward to the opportunities and prosperity this investment will bring to the Lowcountry and beyond."

"The expansion of the Boeing plant in North Charleston is welcome news," said U.S. Congressman Jim Clyburn. "Boeing has positioned South Carolina as a leader in the manufacturing and aerospace industry, and has created unprecedented opportunity for our workforce. This new expansion will create 1,000 new jobs. I'm thrilled for this next phase of growth, and look forward to our continuing partnership."

Imagery will be available on the Boeing Media Asset Portal following the event by 4:00 p.m. Eastern.

About Boeing:A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.

About BE&K | HITT Joint Venture:HITT Contracting, a top national commercial construction firm with offices in 14 U.S. markets, including Charleston, and BE&K Building Group, a leading national design-build and construction management firm specializing in aviation and aerospace construction, are partnering to deliver the infrastructure upgrade. BE&K | HITT will serve as the construction manager for the project, with BRPH as the architect of record.

SOURCE Boeing

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Around South Carolina, military bases that are no longer in use are being transformed into new projects for the whole community.

Those developments are getting a new tool to help that happen while creating more affordable places to live in some of South Carolina’s fastest-growing areas.

“This tax increment funding that our legislature has made available is opening a lot of doors,” Gov. Henry McMaster said Thursday.

McMaster joined state lawmakers and local leaders to mark the implementation of a new state law, gathering inside what used to be a storehouse aboard the former Charleston Naval Base in North Charleston. The military base was once South Carolina’s largest civilian employer, but since its closure in 1996, there has been work to give the area new life.

The former base site is part of a tax increment financing, or TIF, district, which local governments use to invest in infrastructure improvements in run-down or abandoned areas. Then they pay it off from increased property tax revenues that result from that redevelopment.

“The revenue that’s generated from taxes can be reinvested right in the same community, accelerate the expansion, accelerate the development, and help them achieve some of the long-term goals a little faster,” Sen. Sean Bennett, R – Dorchester, said.

This new law now allows the tax revenues in TIFs at old military base sites to be used to build affordable housing.

“This law sets the redevelopment of a former Navy base on a new path, one that strengthens our connection to the military, supports new infrastructure, and creates opportunities that will benefit families, businesses, and communities across South Carolina,” North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess said.

The change, which has been in effect since July 1, applies to the three former military base TIFs in South Carolina, two of which are in some of the state’s fastest-growing areas, at the Charleston Naval Base Complex and the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, along with the Savannah River Site Redevelopment Authority.

But state leaders said this change will also help South Carolina more broadly.

“Anytime the Charleston area grows, it generates more revenue, ultimately more tax revenue, growth, that’s always going to help the other communities. Hopefully spread out some concentration of tourism and housing and those sorts of things,” Bennett said.

The new law also allows defense operations that are still located at the former naval base site to be moved to a different, secure location in the Lowcountry.

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NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A former North Charleston City councilman, who is facing charges from a corruption probe, has entered a guilty plea.

Mike A. Brown was one of three North Charleston City councilmembers who were charged in a February corruption probe.

Brown, along with his attorney, state representative Todd Rutherford, appeared in federal court downtown on Monday. Brown withdrew his initial not guilty plea to guilty in pursuit of a plea agreement.

Brown agreed to partially appeal his right to oppose or appeal the plea agreement for post-conviction rights.

Brown pleaded guilty to one count of charges with conspiracy to commit bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud.

The maximum charge is imprisonment for up to five years. The ex-councilman will receive a sentencing at a later date.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI described the five others who were also charged as associates in the corruption investigation.

Court documents detail that Brown and former North Charleston Councilman Jerome Heyward, along with boat company lobbyist Aaron Hicks, were named for allegedly conspiring to solicit kickbacks in exchange for their influence on a critical rezoning vote.

Court Documents detail that the rezoning vote was related to a Berkeley County boating manufacturing company listed as ‘Company A’.

Documents detail the FBI’s interception of the phone calls of former councilmember Jerome Heyward’s cell phone communications starting on April 17.

Brown was involved in intercepted conversations of the company paying money to Brown. Brown received at least $1,000 in cash before April 18.

Documents also allege intercepted phone calls found Brown needed the money to help with his son’s wedding expenses.

Gov. Henry McMaster issued Executive Order 2025-09, suspending Brown from office until he is formally acquitted, convicted, or a successor is elected and qualifies as provided by law, whichever comes first.

Brown resigned from his seat on the city council on Oct. 16.