Boeing Breaks Ground on Major 787 Expansion in South Carolina

Boeing has officially broken ground on a major expansion of its Boeing South Carolina (BSC) campus, marking a significant milestone for the company’s 787 Dreamliner program. The expansion aims to support rapidly rising global demand for the widebody aircraft, enabling Boeing to increase production to 10 Dreamliners per month by 2026.

Initially announced in late 2024, the project includes over $1 billion in upgrades across two campuses located near Charleston International Airport. Boeing expects the investment to generate more than 1,000 new jobs over the next five years, reinforcing South Carolina’s growing role as an aerospace powerhouse.

What the Expansion Includes

The development includes several major facilities that will enhance production capabilities and streamline the manufacturing process. These new features include:

• A final assembly building comparable to the current 1.2-million-square-foot manufacturing facility
• A parts preparation facility to support supply chain demands
• A vertical fin paint building for specialized work
• Flight Line stalls to support aircraft readiness
• Expansions to the Interiors Responsibility Center

Construction will be managed by a joint venture between HITT Contracting and BE&K Building Group, and the project will involve more than 2,500 workers and 6.2 million labor hours, making it one of the region’s largest industrial construction efforts.

Aerospace Demand Driving Growth

The 787 Dreamliner remains Boeing’s most successful widebody model, with more than 2,250 orders from 90 customers worldwide. Despite more than 1,200 deliveries to date, the backlog stands near 1,000 additional orders, including over 300 ordered in 2025 alone. Boeing’s market outlook anticipates global demand for over 7,800 widebody aircraft over the next two decades, underscoring the need for new production capacity.

“We continue to see tremendous interest in the 787 Dreamliner and its category-leading efficiency. This investment ensures we can meet customer requirements well into the future,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The expansion is a testament to our team’s exceptional work and reinforces our commitment to South Carolina and American manufacturing.”

Strengthening U.S. Supply Chain & Local Jobs

Since its establishment in 2009, Boeing South Carolina has overseen the full manufacturing lifecycle of the 787 family—covering fabrication, assembly, and final delivery of the 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 models. The site currently employs more than 8,200 workers across North Charleston and Orangeburg facilities.

Government leaders praised the expansion as a win for both the local economy and national interests:

• U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “America’s industrial strength is being renewed, and South Carolina is benefiting from this resurgence.”
• Governor Henry McMaster emphasized that “Boeing’s $1 billion expansion and 1,000 new jobs reflect confidence in our state’s workforce and business climate.”
• Senator Lindsey Graham noted, “This expansion will ensure the company’s long-term presence and create meaningful job opportunities.”
• Senator Tim Scott highlighted the partnership, saying it “will bring more than a thousand high-quality jobs.”
• Congressman Jim Clyburn added that Boeing has been key in making South Carolina “a leader in aerospace manufacturing.”

Built by Industry Specialists

The construction effort will be delivered by HITT Contracting and BE&K Building Group, two major U.S. commercial builders with deep experience in aviation and aerospace projects. BRPH serves as the architect of record.

This expansion signals Boeing’s continued commitment to U.S. aerospace innovation, advanced manufacturing, and strengthening domestic supply chains—all while elevating South Carolina as a global center for widebody aircraft production.

Originally reported by MM Desk in The Machine Maker.