Boeing holds secret airport talks - Charleston Post Courier

[Joey]

Boeing holds secret airport talks - Charleston Post Courier

Boeing Co. has entered into secretive talks about land controlled by Charleston International Airport, where the aerospace giant already leases a large parcel for its 787 manufacturing campus.

A Charleston County Aviation Authority committee met behind closed doors in downtown Charleston on Friday with a local Boeing staff attorney to discuss contractual matters involving real estate.

The Development Committee meeting included Boeing lawyer Mark Fava and lasted about 45 minutes. No action was taken.

File

Chip Limehouse

State Rep. Chip Limehouse, who is chairman of the airport board, declined to say what the committee discussed with Fava. Airports director Sue Stevens also would not comment afterward.

The company said in a statement Friday that it does not "comment on potential pending or future transactions."

"Boeing continually reviews its real estate portfolio as part of our due diligence to ensure proper stewardship of company assets and maintain our competitiveness," it said. "As a result, we regularly develop scenarios and evaluate options for real property to ensure we maintain the right mix of office and manufacturing space to meet the needs of our commercial and military business."

The morning meeting was held at Limehouse's business office on Cumberland Street.

It was called by Aviation Authority member Elliott Summey, Limehouse said. Summey, who is a member of Charleston County Council, did not attend.

Summey said Friday that he and other airport board members are under a nondisclosure agreement with Boeing and could not discuss any of the company's plans.

Boeing assembles the 787 Dreamliner passenger jet at its sprawling campus at the airport, where it has about 5,000 employees.

The company has reviewed its


http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=...ort-talks/