By Kyra Morris, contributing editor  | There are four key issues at the heart of every community.  These are jobs, housing, education and infrastructure. Charleston is very fortunate to have a diverse foundation of businesses and a plethora of jobs.  This is in large part due to many local business leaders, our local and state government, and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, an association put together after we lost the Charleston Naval Shipyard in the early 1990s.

When the naval shipyard, our largest employer, closed, our community heard the need and came together at a critical point in time.  Leadership from all parts of the Tri-county area worked tirelessly to solve the jobs problem. We wanted strong, sustainable employment for our citizens.  This effort paid off over time. Charleston is now known all over the world, and people are coming by the thousands both as tourists and new residents. We have jobs.

The other three issues though are still in the “need” stage.  We are struggling with the availability of affordable workforce housing.  …