South Carolina Participates in 47th Farnborough International Airshow

Gov. Sanford, Sen. Graham and S.C. delegation joinaerospace leaders at iconic global aviation event

CHARLESTON, SC – July 16, 2010 – Gov. Mark Sanford, U.S. Sen. LindseyGraham, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and local economicdevelopers from across the state will join aerospace companies fromaround the globe next week at the 2010 Farnborough InternationalAirshow.  Accompanying Gov. Sanford will be Jack Ellenberg, Commerce’sDeputy Secretary for New Investment; Retired Brigadier General USAF HankTaylor, Commerce senior project manager; Wayne Fritz, Commerce seniorproject manager; and staff from Commerce’s office in Europe.  SouthCarolina officials will be among the nearly 1,400 exhibitors featured atthis year’s event.

“With the success our state has had over the last year in attractingaerospace investment, I wanted to maximize my time left as governor inworking with the Department of Commerce to make this the beginning of anew era in South Carolina’s economic history,” Gov. Sanford said.  “Whatwe’re witnessing, I believe, is South Carolina taking the lead inattracting investment in an industry that’s only going to grow inimportance around the globe.  Indeed it’s our vision to make our statethe international aerospace market’s leading competitor in theSoutheastern United States.

South Carolina will host a booth located in the U.S. Pavilion in Hall 3(booth B3) for the duration of the show, which will run from July 19 -25.  In addition to Gov. Sanford and the Department of Commerce, theSouth Carolina delegation will include representatives from CharlestonCounty Economic Development, the Charleston Regional DevelopmentAlliance, the Chester County Economic Development Corporation, theLancaster County Economic Development Office, the Lowcountry EconomicNetwork, the South Carolina Power Team, the North Eastern StrategicAlliance and York County Economic Development.  U.S. Senator LindseyGraham will also join the delegation in Farnborough.

“South Carolina has become a leader in the aerospace industry.  In fact,our state is home to more than 160 aerospace related companies whichemploy more than 18,000 workers.  South Carolina has proven that we havethe capabilities and skills necessary to compete on a global scale.  And as a result, our reputation around the world is exceptional,” saidU.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.

The Farnborough International Airshow 2010 will mark the 47th time thelandmark event has been held.  Boasting a vast showground at theFarnborough Aerodrome in Hampshire, England, the Airshow featuresexhibits from the nearly 1,400 companies in the aerospace industry.

Last year, South Carolina’s reputation in the aerospace industry waselevated when The Boeing Co. announced that it would locate in the stateits second final assembly facility and delivery center to supportproduction of the 787 Dreamliner. Construction of this facility iscurrently underway.

Other aviation and aerospace companies with a South Carolina presenceinclude: AAI Corp., BAE Systems, Cytec Carbon Fibers LLC, Eaton Corp.,GE Aviation, Lockheed Martin, Honeywell International Inc., MichelinAircraft Tire Co., Venture Aerobearings (a joint venture between GEAviation and the SKF Group) and many more. There are more than 160aerospace related companies operating in South Carolina and employingmore than 18,000 workers in this industry. 

For more information about the state’s activity at the FarnboroughAirshow visit: www.sccommerce.com/farnborough or www.sccommerce.com/farnborough2010. 

The S.C. Department of Commerce works closely with economic developmentprofessionals throughout the state to recruit new jobs and investmentsand help existing businesses grow. Commerce has been recognized for itssuccess in the areas of job creation and economic impact by AreaDevelopment and Business Facilities magazines. The S.C. Department ofCommerce was one of 10 state economic development organizations toreceive Area Development’s Silver Shovel Award in 2009 and Commercereceived the 2009 Deal of the Year award from Business Facilitiesmagazine. Commerce received the top prize for Boeing’s selection ofNorth Charleston for the company’s second final assembly plant for the787 Dreamliner program.  In addition to job and investment recruitment,the agency provides a range of business support services, offers grantsfor community development and infrastructure improvements, and providestools to enhance workforce skills. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.