On October 28, 2009, South Carolina's aerospace industry took flight as Boeing announced plans to establish its 787 Dreamliner assembly and delivery facility in North Charleston. Nearly nine years and more than 700 Dreamliners later, it's clear that the Palmetto State has elevated itself, becoming a leader in the aerospace industry.
Over the last few months, South Carolina's aerospace sector has soared to even greater heights. In June, Lockheed Martin announced that its F-16 Block 70 aircraft production will be locating to Greenville, creating hundreds of new job opportunities. And, just last week, ACL Airshop, an air cargo equipment manufacturer, broke ground on its new $7.2 million plant in the Upstate.
To celebrate this thriving sector and discuss its future, the fifth annual S.C. Aerospace Conference and Expo will take place in Columbia on October 9-10. A perfect venue to convene state, community and industry leaders, the two-day event will include a B2B matchmaking session, a technical symposium, keynote addresses, panel discussions, exhibition opportunities and more. For additional event and registration information, click here.
After what's been another successful year for the state's aerospace industry, I know that we'll have a lot to discuss in October. By coming together to promote and advance this important sector, we'll be able to build on its recent success, ensuring a prosperous, high-flying economy for years to come. And, so we say for South Carolina, the sky is not the limit; it is only the beginning.