Economic Report: The Charleston Tri-county area continues to show solid growth. Tourism tops our economic impact at $5.4 billion. Our military which includes the Space & Warfare Systems Center, Charleston Air Force Base, Naval Nuclear Power Training Command and the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center creates a $3.5 billion impact. Not included is the U.S. Coast Guard Base, Cutters and the new U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Center established in 2004. Rounding out the top three is the Port of Charleston with a $3.3 billion impact.
Vought Aircrafts has sold it's existing $560 million aircraft plant to Boeing for assembly of the new Boeing Company 787 Dreamliner. The Boeing company recently announced it was building a second 584,000 square foot assembly plant in North Charleston South Carolina. The new plant will create at least 3,800 new jobs and they expect to break ground in just a few weeks. At least 43 top-tier 787 suppliers are expected to locate in Charleston. Thus Charleston has a new love affair with Boeing.
Daimler Chrysler has invested $35 million in an existing plant to produce the Sprinter Van product. Other aircraft and vehicle supporting contractors are emerging in the low country. Recent names include Global Aeronautica, Alenia North America, AAI Engineering Support, Cummins Turbo, SKF USA and Shimano American just to mention a few. Google recently made operational it's $600 million investment in Berkeley County near Goose Creek. We also have Cabela's, the outdoor outfitter giant looking at placing one of it's outdoor Meccas in North Charleston.
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