NORTH CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) -
The first Boeing 787 Dreamliner made in South Carolina has yet to be revealed publicly, but local businesses say they are already experiencing a boost with the airplane manufacturer in town.
Businesses hope for an even greater economic boost in the future, as the plane is rolled out for the first time Friday. On Dorchester Road, an apartment complex says "Welcome Boeing." On Ashley Phosphate Road, a vehicle service shop says "Boeing Employee Discount."
Since Boeing chose North Charleston for its second 787 Dreamliner Final Assembly Plant, the community has welcomed the company.
"On all ten of my reader boards I put it out there to let Boeing employees know we welcome them, we want them here and we'll give them 25 percent off anything they do any day," Jiffy Lube Regional Manager Ronald Dickey said.
Just six miles away from the plant, businesses in the Coosaw Pointe area say they've experienced the "Boeing Effect."
"We got excited because of all the employees they have. A lot of them are in this area, and we see quite a few of them. Definitely helping business. It's a great thing to have them in town," Dickey said.
Businesses say as the roll out of the 787 Dreamliner approaches, they're hoping more suppliers and related companies move in, bringing an even greater economic boost to the area.
At the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, the team helps recruit big companies and manufacturers to the region. They're hoping the roll out of the of the wide body plane will help bring more aerospace related companies to the area.
"We're very optimistic about what we're seeing from the Boeing effect in terms of aerospace companies interested in our area. Already a third of our prospects are aerospace related, and folks are looking at us in terms of talent as well as businesses directly related to Boeing," CRDA marketing director Claire Gibbons said.
Boeing currently employs about 6,000 people. General Manager Jack Jones say there is a multiplier effect, so for every one manufacturing job, there are three or four additional jobs created whether it's a gas station attendant, restaurant server or other similar job.
One manufacturer that has announced it will build a plant and bring hundreds of jobs to the area is TIGHitco. Boeing is a customer of the aerospace parts supplier.
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