Job stability and growth in our region has outpaced national and statewide averages for nearly a full decade. Employment in each of our economic hub counties (Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester) rank in the state's top 10, higher than any other three-county region in South Carolina. New and expanding jobs in the aerospace, technology and clean industry sectors have helped draw more than 4,700 jobs from 2007 to 2012. More than 25,000 new jobs will be created over the next five years, according to analysts; that's almost seven times the growth rate over the previous five years and 50-percent better than the national average. But local jobs do not exist in a vacuum. They rely on a healthy economic heartbeat, connected to a myriad of key issues discussed here.

Boeing's location to North Charleston in 2007 has been a catalyst for economic growth and will have a long-term influence on our prosperity. Boeing is the world's leading aircraft manufacturer and its North Charleston operation continues to bring jobs and new manufacturing businesses to our region. Boeing expects to add 2,000 additional workers through 2020, from engineers to IT specialists to production workers. The company has also become one of our region's foremost community stewards, donating millions of dollars in grants and sponsorships to help education, environment, healthcare and numerous causes.

Job growth is the key to every dynamic, forward-moving community. And jobs are intricately linked to every other economic component: education, infrastructure, a clean environment to assure quality of life, government services, rail transportation, cultural diversity, business opportunities and much more.