Boeing planning $1 billion expansion in SC

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Gov. Nikki Haley says the Chicago-based Boeing Co. is planning to invest $1 billion at its North Charleston plant, creating 2,000 new jobs.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports (http://bit.ly/10OTwkW) Tuesday that Haley says the expansion at the 787 assembly facility will happen by 2020.

The paper reports the plans will be detailed in a bill being introduced Tuesday. House Speaker Bobby Harrell and state Sen. Hugh Leatherman said they will co-sponsor legislation providing $120 million to offset Boeing’s upfront expansion costs, like site preparation and utility expenses.

Lawmakers say they’ve been told the company will establish an information technology center that would create about 1,000 jobs. The rest would be made up of 787 engineers and production employees.

A Boeing spokeswoman didn’t return the paper’s messages seeking comment.