October 28, 2009 Second 787 Line Goes To South Carolina

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By Russ Niles, Editor-in-Chief

Boeing confirmed months of speculation Wednesday by announcing a second 787 assembly plant will be built in North Charleston, S.C. instead of the traditional home of its commercial aircraft in Washington State. The Puget Sound Business Journal reported that ax breaks and $170 million in low-interest bonds were approved by the South Carolina legislature this week while politicians in Washington State tried to resurrect negotiations between Boeing and the Machinists Union, which had broken down and scuppered Washington's chances for the plant. Boeing was demanding a no-strike clause from the union. “This is obviously a very disappointing day for all Washingtonians,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said in a statement. The announcement caused some in Washington to wonder if enough had been done to keep the 787 a purely Evergreen State product.

State Sen. Mike Hewitt (R-Walla Walla) said the Washington legislature should have met in special session, like South Carolina's did, to try and keep the plant in Washington. Gregoire replied that Boeing officials had told her that there was nothing the State could have done to prevent the decision. Sen. Paddy Murray (D-Wash.) suggested Boeing would regret the decision. “Washington state has fought for Boeing from day one. The dedication and quality of product Washington state provides is not something you can build overnight," Murray said in a statement. "The passion and history of grandparents passing knowledge, know-how and skills to the next generation is not something that can be reflected on balance sheets."