Week in Review

Melissa Haneline
The Post and Courier

A Boeing 787 fuselage section moves across the floor of Vought Aircraft Industries factory in North Charleston. Delays in Boeing's rollout of the new aircraft are forcing Vought to 'rebalance' its work force and make other adjustments.

Aircraft production slows

The postponed debut of Boeing Co.'s 787 airplane is slowing production at a North Charleston plant that makes sections of the new passenger jet. Vought Aircraft Industries Inc. said during its first-quarter earnings announcement that it "is implementing actions to rebalance its work force," its startup schedule and its spending plans at its factory at Charleston International Airport. Boeing last month pushed back the commercial launch of the 787 by six months.

Shareholders file lawsuit

Three shareholders of armored vehicle maker Force Protection Inc. are suing several current and former executives, alleging they caused the company's stock value to tumble and damaged the Ladson-based company's reputation. The lawsuit accuses nine executives and directors of breach of fiduciary duty, insider trading and misappropriation of information, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets and abuse of control. A Force Protection spokesman said the claims are baseless.

Moore: Tap energy assets

Financier and philanthropist Darla Moore urged Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce members to tap the county's energy resources to compete in the global marketplace. The Lake City native said the county's proximity to the Port of Charleston, its vast timber holdings and the resources of state-owned utility Santee Cooper to build coal and nuclear power plants are three huge assets that can help its economic well-being.

Home sales fall again

A total of 700 homes sold in April in the Charleston area, a nearly 30 percent decline compared to the same month last year, according to data from the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors' Multiple Listing Service. So far this year, local home sales have been down at least 25 percent every month compared with 2007.

Aquarium posts '07 loss

The S.C. Aquarium lost $225,886 in 2007, as some expensive fundraising initiatives swamped stronger admissions and sank the facility's plans for a third consecutive year in the black. The nonprofit swung to the loss from a $289,151 gain in 2006. Revenue rose 2.4 percent to $6.86 million, but expenses climbed 10.6 percent to slightly more than $7 million.