Boeing is planning to have its new 787 Dreamliner production plant running in South Carolina in 2011, but state Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor says the plant will start having an effect on the state’s job situation in a matter of weeks, because Boeing plans to break ground in November. WJBF News Channel 6’s SC Capitol reporter, Robert Kittle, has more.

According to a press release from Governor Mark Sanford’s office, the Governor, on Wednesday, issued a statement on Boeing Company’s announcement of its plan to establish a second production line for the 787 Dreamliner adjacent to the company’s existing facilities in North Charleston.

A proposed coal-fired power plant could be heading to Sandersville, GA in Washington County. Tuesday night, Savannah Riverkeepers held a hearing at Augusta’s Boat House for folks to voice their concerns. WJBF News Channel 6’s Barclay Bishop was there, and has more on the hearing.

Some jobs are hanging by a thread in a local community. One of the oldest continuously run mobile home factories could be closing. All of this is happening at Cavalier Homes in Millen, Georgia. That’s in Jenkins County. The plant is being bought out, and now some heavy rumors are spreading that it could be closing its doors on the more than 100 who work there. WJBF News Channel 6’s Barclay Bishop picks up the story.

Celgard, a developer of materials for use in lithium-ion batteries, is one of the big winners among firms selected to receive $2.4 billion in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy. Celgard, which operates a manufacturing facility in Charlotte, will receive $49 million to be used for expansion of its batter separator product. The company also will open a plant in Aiken, S.C.

According to our newspaper partner, the “News and Farmer,“ jobs will soon be lost in Wrens, Georgia. Mestek, Inc., the paper reports, is closing its plant on August 1st. Just under 100 people will be out of work.

A federal safety agency says the natural gas blamed for the fatal explosion at a North Carolina Slim Jim factory was likely vented into the building during a water heater installation.

Club Car has announced that the company will furlough several employees at its Augusta, GA plant.

Authorities say they have found a third body inside a Slim Jim factory in North Carolina a day after an explosion wrecked the building. Garner Police Sgt. Chris Clayton said crews found the remains of a missing worker Wednesday morning. He said teams were preparing to enter the facility through the roof as part of recovery efforts.

Officials say three people are missing and 20 have been taken to hospitals after an explosion at a Slim Jim meat products plant in North Carolina.

An attorney representing victims of the salmonella outbreak is set to tour the Peanut Corp. of America processing plant in southwest Georgia, Thursday, linked to the nationwide salmonella outbreak.

There’s some good news for the local job market. An old brick plant is re-opening and bringing back old employees. Boral Bricks announced one of their Augusta Factory’s is set to re-open the first week in May. Count on WJBF News Channel 6’s Fraendy Clervaud. He has the story.

In a WJBF News Channel 6 Wall Street to your Wallet Report…a glimmer of hope for Augusta’s economy. Boral Bricks, which had laid off workers, is getting set to reopen their plant on Laney-Walker Boulevard. Some former employees are being asked to come back. Is this an indication that the local housing market is rebounding? WJBF News Channel 6’s Fraendy Clervaud is checking it out. He’ll have the full story, Monday night, during our evening newscasts.

Officials at FPL Foods, LLC say layoffs were necessary to align the business with the current economic situation. The workforce will be reduced by 5 to 10%. Count on WJBF News Channel 6’s Renita Crawford for the story.

Attorneys for U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss are heading to court in Savannah to fight a subpoena by an attorney suing Imperial Sugar. Chatham County Superior Court Judge Herman W. Coolidge is scheduled to hear arguments from attorneys Tuesday.