Charleston Named One of ‘Best Performing Cities”

The Milken Institute, an independent economic think tank focused on creating broad-based economic prosperity in the United States, the three-county Charleston region ranked #19 (up from #30 in 2009) among “large cities” in its 2010 “Best Performing Cities” index.

The annual “Best Performing Cities” index was designed to measure objectively which U.S. metropolitan areas are most successful in terms of job creation and retention, the quality of jobs being produced, and overall economic performance.

Here’s what it said about Charleston:

Charleston–North Charleston, South Carolina, climbed to 19th from 30th last year. The metro’s well-balanced industry mix helped carry it through much of the downturn… Its emerging aerospace industry added more than 1,000 jobs from 2004 to 2009, contributing to Charleston’s coming in 19th in high-tech output for that period. Boeing recently decided to build an assembly plant for its 787 Dreamliner that is expected to employ 3,800 workers in the area.

As the economy rebounds, increased inbound cargo activity at the Port of Charleston should help sustain long-term growth. A $98 million grant awarded to Clemson University to build a wind turbine drivetrain testing facility in North Charleston underscores the metro’s attractiveness as a destination for clean tech.

Other South Carolina cities that made the index include:

Large Cities

  • #65- Columbia
  • #125- Myrtle Beach-Conway- North Myrtle Beach
  • #136- Greenville-Mauldin-Easley
  • #162- Spartanburg

Small Cities

  • #132- Florence
  • #163- Anderson
  • #178- Sumter
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