NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - A $560 million aircraft complex announced Wednesday will transform South Carolina in much the same way as BMW's auto manufacturing plant has in the past decade, Gov. Mark Sanford said.

"This represents the start of an aviation cluster in this part of the world," Sanford said in announcing that Vought Aircraft Industries Inc. and Italy's Alenia Aeronautica are forming a joint venture to make fuselage sections for Boeing's new 7E7 Dreamliner.

They have chosen an 880-acre site near the Charleston International Airport for the project, which will create 645 jobs with an average yearly salary of $50,000.

"This announcement is a major step forward for South Carolina's economy and a major step forward in our efforts to raise income levels and improve the quality of life in our state," Sanford said.

Vought will build a 300,000-square-foot facility here to build the rear fuselage assemblies for the Dreamliner.

The center sections will be manufactured in Italy then brought to North Charleston where they will be joined with the aft sections at a similar-size plant being built jointly by Vought and Alenia North America Inc.

The companies are forming a new company, Global Aeronautica LLC to operate the second assembly plant. The assembled fuselages will then be flown to the Boeing assembly plant in Washington state.

Sanford noted that that in the decade since BMW came to South Carolina, the state's automotive cluster has grown to 232 auto suppliers with auto-related companies in almost every county. He predicted the same will happen in aeronautics.

"Buckle your seat belts. This is just the beginning. It's going to be a good ride," said Commerce Secretary Bob Faith.

"Charleston will never be the same after this announcement today," Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston sid. "What BMW was for the Upstate, this is for Charleston," he said. "It's a home run. Just an instant home run."

Groundbreaking for the plant is expected next year with production beginning in 2006. The first deliveries of fuselage assemblies to Boeing is expected in 2007.

"This will establish South Carolina as a key player in the creation of the next generation of commercial aircraft," said Tom Risley, the president and chief executive officer of Vought.

The Dreamliner will make extensive use of lightweight carbon graphite composites, which officials said can be applied in other manufacturing areas.

South Carolina had proposed the same site but lost out last year to Washington state in the competition for a $900 million Boeing final assembly plant for the Dreamliners.

South Carolina state lawmakers this year passed a bill providing up to $50 million in bonds for companies that invest in an air cargo facility.

Faith said that the area's quality of life, it's job training programs through its technical education system and cooperation from state and local governments played key roles in winning the new investment.

"Surely the Dreamliner brings a dream opportunity to Charleston," said Curtis Bostic, the acting chairman of the Charleston County Council. "This represents the leading edge of the aeronautics industry."

North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said the announcement means jobs for the future for South Carolina's children.

"There is limitless potential when it comes to building aerospace and composite clusters in South Carolina," McConnell said.