BOEING DEAL COULD HAVE SAVED SANFORD’S JOB

Gov. Mark Sanford Friday took the final step in solidifying what he called the “largest announcement in South Carolina history” by signing a legislative incentive package that will bring the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer to the state.

With state and local elected officials and economic developers by his side, the governor finalized a bill that will give Boeing — and any other company that brings more than 3,800 jobs and invests at least $750 million — major financial breaks including low-interest construction bonds and a sales tax exemption on fuel used in test flights.

“As we said on Wednesday, Boeing’s decision to land decisively in South Carolina is both a monumental shot in the arm to our state’s economy and indeed a revolutionary boost to our already growing aerospace hub,” Sanford said. “All in all, this enormous commitment from Boeing represents not only a dividend from our state’s continued efforts to better our business climate, but also a challenge to not let up with regard to lowering taxes, easing burdens put on business in our state’s tort and workers’ compensation systems, and keeping South Carolina a right-to-work state.”

Boeing chose North Charleston over its Everett, Wash. hub in large part because of the economic incentives, a deal Sanford called “a team effort” that the governor said included “Secretary Joe Taylor and his team at Commerce, as well as U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, and state legislators like Sens [Hugh] Leatherman and [Glenn] McConnell, and Speaker [Bobby] Harrell.”

Landing Boeing for South Carolina was no small feat. And it very well could have saved Sanford’s job.

The governor, who is being investigated for possible state ethics violations in the wake of his disappearance and admission of an extramarital affair, is being humble about his role in the deal. But Sanford told the Charleston Post and Courier Thursday that he had the ear of Boeing’s Chairman.

That behind-the-scenes work, coupled with Sanford’s cooperation with legislative leaders, could spare him when lawmakers consider Rep. Greg Delleney’s impending impeachment legislation in January.