Haley's UK Trip Could Lead to More Aerospace Biz

In the sales business, managers tell their staff that the key to landing the big deal is activity, meaning that you can’t close a sale at a desk and getting out in front of potential customers is critical. If Nikki Haley were a salesperson — and she clearly views herself as South Carolina’s Closer in Chief — she would be on her sales manager’s good side.

During a Tuesday teleconference from the Farnborough International Air Show in the suburbs of London, England, Haley said she had met with 15 businesses in the two days she had been there. Between herself and the Commerce Department contingency traveling with her, 50 meetings were conducted with companies who are already in South Carolina or are considering it as a place to do business.

The governor said that since landing Boeing and GKN, South Carolina has become the “it state” for the aerospace industry. Over $100 million from the aerospace sector was invested in the Palmetto State in the last year, creating hundreds of jobs.

But competition has increased. According to Haley, the aerospace industry is thriving, and the southeastern United States is an attractive place for manufacturing, confirmed by the fact that Airbus — Boeing’s chief rival — recently announced plans to expand to Mobile, Ala. South Carolina’s proximity to the two largest manufacturers — Boeing and Airbus — as well as existing high-profile suppliers like GKN, positions the state to bring in even more business.

Haley said the southeast is attractive because costs are low, it has a friendly tax structure and labor is mostly non-union.

“When companies look at our state they know we have trained workers who will conform to their needs, rather than the other way around,” Haley said.

Haley returned to South Carolina on Wednesday and will have to deal with the , particularly with .

In addressing the vetoes briefly during Tuesday’s session with the media, Haley reiterated the fact that she is a supporter of the arts but believes it to be a non-governmental function.

“The private sector can pick up the slack,” she said.

The legislature will vote on whether to overturn her vetoes next Tuesday.