EDITORIAL: Leatherman deserves praise for Boeing work

State Sen. Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, deserves lavish praise for the prominent role he played in convincing Boeing to bring at least 3,800 jobs and millions in economic development to South Carolina, starting in 2011.

The leadership and expertise Leatherman demonstrated during seven weeks of touchy, high-stakes negotiations clearly showed why Pee Dee voters have been sending the crafty legislator to Columbia for more than 29 years.

The Senate Finance Committee chairman, 78, was one of the first leaders Boeing asked to meet in September when it started finalizing a decision on whether to locate its second assembly line for 787 Dreamliner aircraft in Everett, Wash., or North Charleston.

The aerospace giant asked for dialogue immediately with Leatherman and Senate Majority Leader Glenn McConnell, not Gov. Mark Sanford or hard-working state Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor,

because the company needed legislative approval for tax incentives. Also, it regards the two as straightforward policymakers who will stand by their promises. Sanford and Taylor will be out of office after 2010 elections.

“This deal is the height of my career in the legislature without question,” Leatherman said in an interview with the Morning News. “This changes the landscape of our state forever.

“The message it sends about South Carolina is remarkable,” he said. “By attracting a top-notching, blue-chip company like Boeing, it puts us on the map worldwide. It tells everyone South Carolina is a great place to do business.”

Leatherman was in Japan last week on a state economic development trip when word of a possible deal intensified. He cancelled plans to visit China, returned to the state capitol and wrote legislation for tax incentives to present legislators in a two-day special session that started Tuesday.

Without Leatherman’s aggressiveness and quick action, the deal might have fallen apart. Leatherman, working in concert with his colleagues and economic development experts, crafted a deal with about $450 million in incentives for Boeing. It’s the largest single investment South Carolina has made in a company.

Boeing will have to create at 3,800 jobs and invest more than $750 million within seven years to take advantage of the various inducements. They include tax exemptions for fuel burned during aviation test flights, computer purchases and no sales tax on construction materials.

“We worked late into Monday night crafting and drafting legislation ... so we’d have it ready for the full Senate on Tuesday,” Leatherman said.

Boeing will bring a huge payroll and a trail of suppliers. The company keeps its inventory to a minimum, so auxiliary enterprises will have to follow the company to South Carolina and set up operations to feed Boeing.

“The trail of suppliers and related enterprises will be very long,” Leatherman said.

Sanford’s role in the Boeing deal was essential, though not as vital as Leatherman’s. But as the governor looks to shore up his reputation and legacy in 2010, he will point to Boeing as one of his achievements.

“Boeing wanted to know promises from South Carolina would be fulfilled,” Leatherman said. “And they will be.”

Boeing’s flight to South Carolina ranks as one of the top business developments in state history. It would not have happened without Leatherman’s determination and vision.

— Unsigned editorials represent the views of this newspaper. Editorial Board members are Mark Laskowski (regional publisher), James Bennett (regional editor), Sam Bundy (sports editor), Kimberly Ginfrida (news editor), David Johnson (regional circulation director), Charles Tomlinson (Lake City News & Post editor) and Jackie Torok (metro editor).