Florence ranks among the top for jobs in the U.S.

USA TODAY has Florence at No. 7 on its list of U.S. cities with the top job markets for 2018.

The rankings are based on local wage increases, unemployment decreases and jobless rates. The list shows Florence with 84,850 people employed, a jobless rate of 3.2 percent and an annual average wage of $41,010.

"Florence is a growing community. Not only is it growing, it's growing good jobs, paying jobs," Mayor Stephen Wukela said.

Wukela said while the city's infrastructure reels the companies in, it's the growing livability that seals the deal.

"Having an attractive downtown, having parks and recreational resources are the types of things that help land those jobs,” Wukela said.

"I think that's what the U.S. is starting to see, that this is a good place not only to live, but it's a great place to raise a family," economic development chairman Frank Brand said.

Aside from a better quality of life is a better quality of workers, which is something Brand said Florence does a great job at producing.

"I think the workforce development through Francis Marion and Tech allows these different companies to get the people they need and to train them," Brand said.

Not only are businesses flocking to Florence, but current businesses like McCall Farms and Ruiz Foods continue to invest in the area through expansions.

"That's a testament to the fact that existing industries are happy,” Wukela said. “Them expanding paints a perfect picture that other industries are looking at."

But most importantly, officials say they don't plan on slowing down anytime soon.

"We all feel a very urgent need to continue that recruitment effort and build higher paying and better jobs for the people in our community," Wukela said.

Charleston was the only other South Carolina city that made the top 10 list, coming in at No. 5.

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