Boeing: In their own words

"It paid off, keeping the right attitude. To show what we can offer instead of saying what the other people couldn't."

- North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey

"This is a transformational day for South Carolina. It's history. We now launch ourselves into the aerospace industry."

- Senate leader Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston

"For the people of Charleston, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event."

- U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

"This is truly transformational. To think that little children from South Carolina will soon point to the sky and say, 'Daddy made that.' "

- State Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau

"We were able to convince Boeing that we have all the elements they need to be successful and we're equal to or better than any other state. We've got the workforce, the technical system to train employees; we've got the skill level. If we have the opportunity, and Boeing has given us the opportunity, we will make them successful."

- State Sen. Paul Campbell, R-Goose Creek

"Today's announcement declares to the global business community that South Carolina is back in the game and open for business. We want you to come to our state."

- House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston

"Boeing's decision to expand their presence in our state with an infusion of jobs and capital investment -- the largest announcement in South Carolina history -- represents not only enormously good news for our state's economy, but also a telling dividend from our state's continued efforts to better our business climate. For us, that means lowering taxes, easing regulatory burdens in our state's tort and workers' compensation systems, and keeping South Carolina a right-to-work state."

- Gov. Mark Sanford

"The 787 will provide airlines with unprecedented operating economics and efficiencies. It also will take passengers where they want to go, when they want to go, and do it more comfortably and affordably than ever before."

- Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes

"We are astounded that Boeing has chosen to compound the problems of the 787 program by further fragmenting the supply chain. There is no credible business case for this decision."

- Ray Goforth, executive director of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, IFPTE Local 2001

"We have the skill and manpower here in Everett to produce the second line, but we haven't been given that chance."

- Zen Jenne, a union member who has been with Boeing for three years, as quoted by a Seattle newspaper

"The fear is that if you are successful in Charleston with the plant and Boeing sees a real advantage to moving production out of Puget Sound, then this move right now is probably the first step in the process of them moving out of Puget Sound. And I share that fear."

- Dick Conway, Seattle economist and publisher of The Puget Sound Economic Forecaster

"When you attract that caliber of company, that sends a message to other companies and businesses around the world. It makes this community much more inviting and attractive."

- Jennifer DeWitt, executive director, Lowcountry Manufacturers Council

"This is exciting news, and it shows that South Carolina continues to be one of the best places in the world to do business. Boeing will continue to 'deliver the dream' to South Carolina and their customers as they create hundreds of highly skilled, highly paid manufacturing jobs in our region."

- U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C.

"This will trickle down to every element of the economy from housing to retail to just everything."

- Charleston Mayor Joe Riley

IN CHARLESTON: What people are saying

A couple of miles up International Boulevard from the Boeing plant, in the Walmart Supercenter parking lot, reaction to the promise of 3,800 new jobs ranged from cautiously optimistic to openly skeptical.

Mark Brown of North Charleston remembered when he applied at the nearby Vought aircraft plant. He said the company hired too many out-of-town workers.

"I wish they would hire me," he said of Boeing. "It (the expansion) could do a whole lot. You know the situation here, with people out of work. I just hope they don't bring in a bunch of people from out of town."

Eddie Toomer of Walterboro, who came into town to buy medicine, was unsure of the benefits.

"I'm very skeptical," Toomer said. "I think it will benefit the politicians who signed the bill to give them the tax break. Why don't they give tax breaks to the mom-and-pop stores who are going out of business?"

Suzanne Peters of Ladson, who was picking up her daughter who worked at the store, was more optimistic.

"I think it's going to make a big difference," Peters said.