Sanford pitches S.C. in Europe

COLUMBIA -- Gov. Mark Sanford is on a trade mission to Europe to leverage Boeing Co.'s record-breaking investment in South Carolina and transform the state into an international aerospace hub.

The governor, in one of his last official acts, will attend the Farnborough International Airshow outside London next week with a cadre of South Carolina political and business leaders. The show runs Monday through July 25.

"With the success our state has had over the last year in attracting aerospace investment, I wanted to maximize my time left as governor in working with the Department of Commerce to make this the beginning of a new era in South Carolina's economic history," Sanford said in a statement. "What we're witnessing, I believe, is South Carolina taking the lead in attracting investment in an industry that's only going to grow in importance around the globe."

Farnborough is one the largest aerospace events at which to showcase the state. The 2008 air show resulted in $88.7 billion worth of business around the world, according to the governor's office.

Scheduled to join Sanford are U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Charleston Regional Development Alliance President David Ginn; and Charleston County economic development director Steven Dykes. Sanford is scheduled to meet with Boeing President Jim McNerney, GE Aviation President David Joyce and Michelin managing partner Michel Rollier.

The trade mission will take the governor and his commerce team to Vevey, Switzerland; Friedrichshafen, Germany; and Paris.

Boeing decided late last year that it would locate its second assembly line and delivery center for the 787 Dreamliner jet in North Charleston. Construction is under way.

To learn more about the airshow, log on to www.sccommerce.com/farnborough

Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-926-7855 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.