North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess will present his annual State of the City address Thursday night, outlining his administration’s priorities for sustainable growth and economic development in the state’s third-largest city.

Burgess plans to focus on four key areas during the address: livability and quality of life initiatives, sustainable growth and resiliency, economic opportunity, and mobility and connectivity, according to city officials.

The address comes as North Charleston faces mounting pressure to balance rapid development with infrastructure needs and public safety concerns that have dominated Politics & Government discussions across the region.

“The mayor will present a comprehensive overview of where we’ve been and where we’re headed as a city,” said North Charleston Communications Director Jessica Williams.

North Charleston has experienced significant population growth over the past decade, adding nearly 15,000 residents since 2010 to reach approximately 114,000 people. The growth has strained city services while boosting the tax base through new residential and commercial development.

Burgess, who took office in 2016, has championed economic development projects including the expansion of the former Charleston Naval Base into a mixed-use development hub. The city has attracted major employers including Boeing, which operates a 787 Dreamliner assembly facility, and Volvo Cars, which opened a manufacturing plant in 2018.

The mobility and connectivity portion of Thursday’s address likely will address ongoing transportation challenges. North Charleston sits at the intersection of Interstate 26 and Interstate 526, creating traffic bottlenecks that affect commuters throughout the Charleston metropolitan area.

City Council approved a $2.3 million contract in September for traffic signal improvements along Rivers Avenue, one of the city’s main commercial corridors. The project aims to reduce congestion and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Sustainable growth and resiliency have become pressing issues as North Charleston grapples with flooding and sea-level rise. The city received $15.6 million in federal disaster recovery funds following Hurricane Florence in 2018, with much of that money designated for drainage improvements and flood mitigation projects.

Burgess has pushed for green infrastructure solutions, including permeable pavement and expanded tree canopy coverage, to address stormwater runoff. The city allocated $8.4 million in the current fiscal year budget for drainage projects.

Economic opportunity initiatives under Burgess have included workforce development partnerships with Trident Technical College and the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. The city established a $500,000 small business loan program in 2019 to support minority-owned and women-owned enterprises.

Unemployment in North Charleston dropped to 3.2 percent in August, below the statewide average of 3.8 percent, according to the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce.

The livability and quality of life focus comes amid ongoing concerns about public safety in certain neighborhoods. North Charleston Police reported 15 homicides through October, compared to 12 for all of 2022.

City Council approved a $78.2 million budget for the police department this fiscal year, representing nearly 30 percent of the city’s general fund spending. The department has 179 sworn officers, up from 165 in 2020.

Burgess faces reelection in 2024, though he has not yet announced whether he will seek a third term. He won reelection in 2020 with 67 percent of the vote, defeating three challengers.

Thursday’s address will take place at 7 p.m. at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

City officials said the address will be livestreamed on the city’s website and social media platforms for residents who cannot attend in person. A Spanish-language translation will be available.

The State of the City address traditionally serves as Burgess’ major policy speech of the year, often including announcements of new initiatives or budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

Last year’s address highlighted the completion of the Riverfront Park phase one development and announced plans for expanded youth programming through the Parks and Recreation Department.

City Council will hold its next regular meeting on November 28, where members are expected to discuss priorities outlined in Thursday’s address.