Let’s take a look at what’s in store for the Charleston region this year. After an amazing year for business and investment in 2013, positive economic growth continues to build in 2014.

Here are some predictions from our region’s thought leaders:

• “Economists project Charleston-area jobs, income growth in 2014” reads the headline of the Post and Courier’s piece on the 33rd annual Economic Outlook Conference at University of South Carolina. At the event, economists projected increased construction activity, new jobs and higher wages within the Charleston region in 2014. Business school economist Joseph Von Nessen remarked, “Charleston has been, over the last couple of years, a leader in the post-recession economic recovery.”
• “Outlook for 2014: Business forecast calls for year of growth and change.” Similarly, the Post and Courier predicted in its Outlook for 2014 that Charleston can expect to see additional growth from Boeing (which plans to triple its footprint at Charleston International Airport), robust gains in Charleston’s residential real estate market and a new level of success for Charleston-based tech companies, like Blackbaud.
• “The year 2040 is suddenly not so far off” is just one of the ten stories featured in a Charleston Magazine’s “Fast Forward” series. The series spotlights expert opinions and data on Charleston’s future growth in a variety of areas—including innovation, community development, talent attraction, economic growth and more.

With positive outlooks from economists, the media, community leaders and more, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance also expects strong business development activity to contribute to a prosperous 2014 and beyond.