NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - Work has officially started on building Boeing's $750 million aircraft assembly plant in South Carolina - the largest industrial investment in state history.

Officials scooped ceremonial shovels full of dirt Friday at the site near the Charleston International Airport where Boeing will assemble its 787 jetliners.

"We will produce airplanes that will fly, stay in the air and make you proud," said North Charleston mayor Keith Summey. "God bless you for being a part of our state."

The North Charleston plant is expected to create 3,800 jobs within seven years and construction will mean another 2,000 jobs.

"I guess the first thing I want to say is, welcome to the Boeing company," said Jim Albaugh, President of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Boeing's decision not to build the second assembly line in Everett still feels like a knife in the back to Boeing's Machinist Union, which wanted those jobs to stay right here.

Albaugh sees it differently.

"I don't believe there are any losers in this at all," he said. "It's gonna be good for our company and I think it'll create jobs not just here in South Carolina but in Washington state."

Boeing received an incentive package from South Carolina of up to $170 million.