Boeing announces land purchase, expansion in N. Charleston

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Boeing strengthened its commitment to building planes in North Charleston Friday, as officials announced the acquisition of over 450 acres of land and future plans to build new facilities on its campus.

According to a press release, the airplane manufacturer has acquired 468 acres of land in North Charleston. Officials say the additional land will protect the company for potential future growth.

In addition to the land acquisition, Boeing also announced plans to build a 230,000 square-foot paint facility on its main campus, with construction set to begin in the second half of 2014.

The new facility will allow for 787 Dreamliners built at the North Charleston campus to be painted on site. The company currently sends it's 787s to Forth Worth Texas for final paint before they are flown back to South Carolina for delivery.

Officials say the paint facility is expected to be completed by mid-2016.

"This expansion makes future growth in North Charleston possible," said Jack Jones, vice president and general manager of Boeing South Carolina. "While we expect to being the permitting process immediately for this property, we have no specific plans for the land other than where we will locate the new paint facility."

Officials say the site expansion will also allow for the construction of a 10,000 square-foot fire station. The fully-equipped fire station is expected to be operational by late 2014.

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