Why the Charleston Region Is Becoming an Aerospace Powerhouse

Every Boeing 787 Dreamliner is built in Charleston, South Carolina, where Boeing employs more than 9,000 people and is investing $1 billion to expand production. That growth, combined with suppliers such as Safran, Eaton, TIGHITCO, and Parker, global logistics connections, and specialized workforce training through Trident Technical College and readySC, has established the Charleston region as a competitive aerospace manufacturing hub. 

For aerospace executives evaluating their next location, the Charleston region offers proximity to 787 production, an established supplier network, multimodal infrastructure, and training resources built to support new and expanding operations. 

Is Charleston, SC a Good Location for an Aerospace Company?

Charleston, SC, is a strong location for aerospace companies because it offers proximity to the world’s only 787 production site, global supply chain infrastructure, and state-supported workforce training. 

Choosing Charleston puts businesses next to Boeing and the only production site in the world where it fabricates, assembles, and delivers all three 787 models in its North Charleston and Orangeburg campuses. For suppliers, being close to Boeing’s production site means faster delivery and more direct relationships. 

Companies like Boeing know the Charleston region has the right infrastructure to ensure success. The Port of Charleston offers the deepest harbor in the Southeast, with a 52-foot main shipping channel, and serves more than 150 countries, providing aerospace companies with global access for moving parts, materials, and finished products.  

Charleston International Airport offers nonstop access to over 50 cities, while daily express rail service from CSX and Norfolk Southern, along with three major interstates, helps companies reach most U.S. markets within 48 hours. 

More than just its logistics, Charleston boasts state-supported workforce training and accolades that fuel a strong talent pipeline. SmartAsset ranked the region as a top ten best place to work in manufacturing, in large part due to substantial increases in average income. 

The region’s three counties work together to support business investment and economic growth across Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties. 

Why Are Aerospace Companies Expanding in South Carolina?

Aerospace companies are expanding in South Carolina because of Boeing’s growing investment in its 787 Dreamliner production, spurring suppliers to keep pace.  

The demand signals are clear, presenting an opportunity for aerospace innovators and companies to create sustainable growth in the region. Higher production rates and a long backlog for Boeing’s products mean strains on the supply chain that new companies can help alleviate by relocating in South Carolina. As of January 2026, Boeing was building eight 787s per month, up from five a year earlier, targeting a move to 10 per month. But Boeing’s 787 backlog stood at 1,026 aircraft at that time, equating to years of production.  

To help clear that backlog, Boeing broke ground on its $1 billion expansion expected to create 1,000 jobs through 2030. The project adds a second final assembly building similar in size to the current one, roughly 1.2 million square feet.  

Suppliers are following the demand. In September 2025, Eaton announced a $46 million expansion of its North Charleston aerospace operations, expected to create more than 50 jobs and begin operations in 2028. The new facility will produce complex hydraulic pumps and motors for U.S. commercial and defense aerospace platforms. 

Which Aerospace Suppliers Operate in the Charleston Region?

Charleston’s aerospace ecosystem extends well beyond Boeing, with global suppliers and manufacturers such as Safran, TIGHITCO, and Eaton operating in the region. Their continued investment reflects the strength of Charleston’s aerospace cluster and the advantages it offers companies looking to establish or expand operations: 

• Safran has operated in the Charleston region since 2008, providing landing and braking systems, electrical wiring, and aerospace engineering services for Boeing’s 787s. Safran’s continued presence and investment reflect the strength of the region’s established aerospace supply chain

• TIGHITCO is an aerospace subsidiary of Charleston-based P4G Capital located in Palmetto Commerce Park. Its North Charleston facility manufactures composite components and is NADCAP accredited. Recent investments in 2026 boosted its expertise in composite manufacturing. 

• Eaton supplies hydraulic, fuel, and motion control systems for commercial and military aircraft from North Charleston. Its 2025 expansion is just the latest example of companies doubling down on their investment in the region. 

This established supplier base means a company locating to South Carolina joins a working aerospace ecosystem from day one. But there is still ample room for companies to join the region and thrive. 

Is There a Skilled Aerospace Workforce in the Charleston Region? 

The Charleston region has a skilled aerospace workforce, including machinists, technicians, and other specialized manufacturing talent, supported by dedicated aerospace training at Trident Technical College’s S.C. Aeronautical Training Center and state-funded recruiting and training through readySC for qualifying companies creating new jobs. 

By locating in the Charleston region, a company can tap into South Carolina’s specialized career and technical education infrastructure and find customized workforce support: 

• The S.C. Aeronautical Training Center opened in November 2019 as an $80 million facility housing all of Trident Tech’s Aeronautical Studies programs. Its core tracks include aircraft maintenance, avionics maintenance, and aircraft assembly technology. Facilities include two high-bay hangars and two flight simulators

• Additionally, readySC provides training for new and expanding companies by partnering with South Carolina’s 16 technical colleges. Together, they build training tailored to a company’s workforce needs at no cost to qualifying companies that are creating new jobs. Its Boeing Training Center is located inside the S.C. Aeronautical Training Center, where it handles pre-employment and skill enhancement training for Boeing South Carolina. This model demonstrates South Carolina’s ability to support aerospace manufacturing at scale and provides companies locating in the Charleston region access to established recruiting and customized training resources. 

Plenty of college graduates and new workers are available to tap into these training programs. Charleston’s labor force has grown three times faster than the U.S. average since 2010. Over 49,000 students are enrolled across the region’s universities and colleges, creating a strong pipeline of potential talent for aerospace employers. 

Looking Ahead: Charleston’s Growing Role in Aerospace

The Charleston region offers proximity to the world’s only 787 production site, a growing aerospace supplier base, and workforce training support built for aerospace operations. As investment and production across the aerospace sector grow, companies have an opportunity to become part of an established ecosystem where major employers and suppliers continue to invest. 

Evaluating locations for your next aerospace operation? Learn more about the Charleston region’s aerospace industry and connect with the Charleston Regional Development Alliance to explore available sites, regional data, and business support.