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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has given her appointee as chairman of the Department of Health and Environmental Control's board credit for speeding up permits so Boeing Co. could open up its North Charleston plant in June, six months ahead of schedule.

But no one involved in handling Boeing's permits recalls Allen Amsler doing anything at DHEC to speed up the process after he was confirmed in April.

Haley said Monday at a town hall in Rock Hill that Amsler is in the construction business and understands the need to move permits quickly, giving him credit for Boeing's early opening.

But DHEC says none of Haley's commission members took any action to expedite Boeing permits.

State Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt couldn't recall Boeing having permit problems that threatened its schedule.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)