Lowcountry Economic Network - Beaufort, South Carolina

Boeing is frequent topic in the Lowcountry

As discussed in this morning's Island Packet/Beaufort Gazette, Boeing has become a popular topic among Lowcountry residents and officials. Over the past week or so economic development officials along with Nexsen Pruet, a key player in the Boeing deal, have been touring the Lowcountry talking about the deal and how it can translate into new opportunities for our region.

(from the Island Packet story)

Kim Statler, head of a public-private partnership that recruits businesses to the region, was slated to speak at another event Wednesday at Belfair in greater Bluffton.

The session -- titled "BOEING SC: Dreams Take Flight" -- was about how incentives can boost business in South Carolina.

Statler said Boeing's plant dovetails with fellow aircraft manufacturer Gulfstream's existing facility in Savannah and the arrival of the Joint Strike Fighter, a next-generation military jet. Some of the jets are expected to be based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort by 2014.

Network officials, who have identified the aerospace and defense industry as one of its four focus areas, are scouring supply chains to find businesses that serve one or more of those aircraft.

Such businesses "now might find South Carolina a very appealing location for (its) next manufacturing facility," Statler said. "That's the kind of thing we're looking at."

Statler said network officials "have some good ideas" about prospects, but declined to elaborate.

Statler plans to make the case that aviation businesses should consider the Lowcountry when she travels with state officials to England for a major trade show in July.

The region's advantages include proximity to military bases, Interstate 95 and rail lines, Statler said. CEOs also enjoy the coastal quality of life, she said.

Disadvantages include the high cost of property and "very limited" existing facilities available for light manufacturing.

Unlike Tapp, Statler said the area's workforce should be an asset because a steady rotation of people leave local military bases with aviation experience.

She cautioned the network's strategy might not bear fruit immediately, but she said the long-term outlook is promising because Boeing's arrival allows the region to seek businesses it couldn't before.

"Fifty percent of the battle is making it known what your emphasis is," Statler said.

You can read the rest of the Island Packet story by Josh McCann here.