College of Charleston President P. George Benson spoke at the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Economic Outlook Conference on March 23.

President Benson’s speech, “Moving South Carolina Forward,” discussed South Carolina’s isolated economy and aerospace giant Boeing’s plans to build an assembly plant for the 787 Dreamliner in North Charleston.

“Boeing is the external force that can break the isolationist cast that has constrained our region for centuries,” President Benson said in the speech. “Its presence will reverberate across our region, forcing us to improve our schools, take better care of our roads and bridges, and to cooperate across city, county, and state lines for the benefit of the entire region.”

Read President Benson’s full speech.