Gov. Sanford Commends GE Aviation Announcement, South Carolina’s Emergence as Aerospace Hub
Columbia, S.C. * September 1, 2009 * Gov. Sanford today applauded General Electric (GE) Aviation’s decision to expand in South Carolina, and also noted several recent developments in the state’s rapidly emerging aerospace industry.
“Our Commerce Department’s announcement today that General Electric Aviation will be expanding their Upstate facilities and adding jobs is a welcome sign in a very challenging economy,” Gov. Sanford said. “This multi-million dollar investment and the 100 new jobs it creates represent one small but important step to our state improving its competitiveness on a national and indeed global scale.
“With GE’s expansion announced today, last month’s decision by Boeing to put down long-term roots in North Charleston, and Cytec Industries’ groundbreaking in 2008 for a major Upstate facility, there seems to be the start of a growing aerospace hub in the Southeast. These announcements, among others, are a sign that the efforts at improving business soil conditions and attracting investment may indeed be starting to pay dividends, and I’d applaud the Department of Commerce for their continued efforts to invite capital investment even in this challenging national economy.”
* Today, the South Carolina Department of Commerce joined GE Aviation in announcing plans to boost production capabilities of high pressure turbine blades for commercial aircraft engines at GE’s Upstate facilities * adding 100 jobs over the next four years and increasing capital investment by millions of dollars.
* Last month, Boeing took over the Vought ownership of the Dreamliner production plant in North Charleston * solidifying a partnership between South Carolina and Boeing, with other potential opportunities to work together on the horizon. Notably, officials in Washington State, where Boeing is headquartered and is also considering expanding, recently referred to South Carolina as their state’s “Number One Competitor.”
* Cytec Industries, a specialty chemicals and materials technology company with close ties to the aerospace industry, is scheduled to complete the expansion of its Carbon Fiber facility in Greenville in early 2010.
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