Boeing has officially broken ground on a major expansion of its Boeing South Carolina (BSC) site, the exclusive production home of the 787 Dreamliner. This strategic investment, totaling more than $1 billion, is a direct response to strong market demand and is designed to increase 787 Dreamliner production rates. The expansion will significantly boost manufacturing capacity, with a goal of reaching a production rate of 10 airplanes per month by 2026.
The infrastructure program, set to unfold over the next five years, is a substantial commitment to American manufacturing and the South Carolina economy. It is projected to create more than 1,000 new jobs, further solidifying Boeing’s long-term presence in the region. The physical expansion will be comprehensive, featuring a new final assembly building that mirrors the size of the existing one at approximately 1.2 million square feet. This new facility will house airplane production positions, production support, and office space. Additionally, the project includes a new parts preparation area, a vertical fin paint facility, and more Flight Line stalls at the Airport Campus. There will also be additions to the Interiors Responsibility Center, where many of the 787’s interior components are manufactured.
The construction effort itself will be a significant economic driver, employing a joint venture of HITT Contracting and BE&K Building Group. This team will utilize more than 2,500 people and over 6.2 million construction hours to complete the project. The investment is backed by a robust order book, as the 787 Dreamliner family is the best-selling widebody passenger airplane of all time. With over 2,250 orders from 90 global customers, the current backlog stands at nearly 1,000 airplanes, including more than 300 orders added this year alone. This aligns with Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook, which forecasts a need for more than 7,800 new widebody airplanes over the next two decades.
Company leadership, including Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, emphasized that this expansion is a testament to the work of Boeing teammates and ensures the company is ready to meet customer needs for decades to come. The announcement was met with strong support from government officials, including U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, and U.S. Congressman Jim Clyburn. They praised the decision as a vote of confidence in the South Carolina workforce, the state’s pro-business environment, and American industrial base, highlighting the creation of high-paying jobs and unprecedented economic opportunity for the Lowcountry and beyond.
