Charleston named one of the best places to live and work

Take a walk down one of Charleston’s many historic streets. The quiet charm of this city makes it a great choice for professionals to live and work. The metropolitan area stretches from central to southern South Carolina and some 50 miles inland, with 90 miles of oceanfront. This city’s appeal makes it quite the tourist attraction. Actually, tourism is one of this city’s strongest industries. Its economic impact is at $3.2 billion annually, resulting in an estimated 58,000 direct and indirect jobs for the local economy. However, tourism is just one of many industries that has helped this metropolis thrive.

The Port of Charleston is the fourth-largest container cargo port in the United States, ranked behind the combined ports of New York and New Jersey on the entire East Coast. From Charleston, 50 ocean carriers serve more than 130 countries around the world. The Port is responsible for more than 15,000 local jobs, $346 million in income and $41 million in local and state taxes. By 2015, there will be an estimated 10,100 new Port-related jobs.

The healthcare industry is alive and well here, too. It contributes significantly to the local economy, employing more than 25,000 professionals throughout the region. The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) employs nearly 8,000 people. Each year its six colleges educate more than 2,200 physicians, nurses, dentists and pharmacists as well as other healthcare specialists.

The military has approximately 12,000 active duty and civilian personnel in different Department of Defense facilities on its payroll. An estimated 5,700 Navy personnel are located in this area, at such facilities as the Naval Weapons Station and Naval Hospital.

Charleston is in the midst of experiencing excellent economic expansion. According to the Center for Business Research statistics, more than 116 new businesses chose Charleston as their home in 1999, and more than 20 existing firms expanded. In total, these businesses invested over $530 million in capital investment and created more than 3,100 jobs for the area. Companies in such industries as telecommunications, banking and finance, retail and wholesale trade, and manufacturing can be found here.

Aside from employment, Charleston has plenty to offer business professionals. Residents can enjoy a day at the beach, a game of golf or an evening at the opera. Charleston’s charming lifestyle, low cost of living and economic stability make it an ideal place to live and work.