Boeing's opens new SC propulsion plant and immediately announces additional work for facility

Even as Boeing opened a new propulsion plant in South Carolina, the aeronautics giant announced it is already assigning additional work to the plant.

When Boeing broke ground on the plant in North Charleston 15 months ago, it said the facility would make jet engine air inlets for the 737 MAX, a new generation of Boeing's workhorse 737.

But on Wednesday, as Gov. Nikki Haley, company officials and local leaders gathered to cut the ribbon on the plant, Boeing said the plant would also design engine fan cowls for the 737 MAX and design air intakes for its new 777X.

Boeing did not say how many additional jobs are being added. But it said 7,500 people now work at Boeing in South Carolina, up from 6,700 a year ago.