Welcome to town, Boeing

It never fails.

Anytime something good happens to you, there's always somebody trying to put it down.

Right now, people in Seattle are upset that Boeing's second Dreamliner assembly line is coming to North Charleston, a $750 million investment that is supposed to create 3,800 jobs. Their ire is understandable. For that kind of investment, any state would kill, pledge their undying love, or cough up $450 million.

Washington figured, being an aerospace hub and all, it was entitled. But since the runway was pulled out from under them, they've said some nasty things about South Carolina. Such as:

• People in Washington don't come as cheap as people in South Carolina.

• The parts currently made here for Boeing are often defective, requiring folks in Washington to fix them.

• A lot of our restaurants serve food on Styrofoam plates.

Mad yet? How about this: Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire gave the state this subtle slap:

"Washington will continue to remain the home of the best workers building the best airplanes for the next 100 years."

To paraphrase the classic film "Animal House:" They can't say that about our state; only we can say that about our state.

Easy targets

While all the subterfuge and mystery were unravelling, nobody in South Carolina was bad-mouthing Seattle.

When they joked about the Appalachian Trail, Miss Teen South Carolina and Strom Thurmond (unfunny, cliche targets), you didn't hear the Lowcountry running down flannel, coffee and rain (their obvious, easy targets).

There's a reason we were voted Most Mannerly City in the United States for more than a decade before politely stepping aside.

Bottom line is, South Carolina looked attractive to Boeing. It's a right-to-fire state (whoops, that's right-to-work), so they don't have to worry about pesky labor problems. They have an unlimited supply of business-happy Republicans always willing to assist.

And they don't have to worry about getting home by 5 p.m. to see the World Series.

Southern living

So welcome to South Carolina (again), Boeing.

Put your flannel in storage and enjoy the year-round warmth, both the weather and the hospitality. Visit the local beaches, where the water is never too cold, and take in a fine meal at Magnolia's, Hank's or Peninsula Grill -- just a few local restaurants lauded by Conde' Nast and Gourmet magazine.

This state will give you workers eager to do a good job for a decent paycheck. Despite what you may have read, not everyone here is illiterate, stupid and racist. When's the last time you heard a BMW owner complain? Well, about his car.

And don't worry about missing out on your favorite frappuccino; we have one of those on every corner too.

So buy a relatively affordable house and stay a while. You'll be glad you did.

In return for your big investment and all those jobs, South Carolina will make some fine airplanes. And some day, maybe major carriers will fly Dreamliners in and out of here every day.

OK, so Seattle has us there.

Reach Brian Hicks at 937-5561 or bhicks@postandcourier.com. Read more columns by Brian Hicks here.