Image by Flickr user TeecNosPos Image by 20090327-port.jpg

A report from the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce's Center for Business Research says that economic recovery in Charleston won't begin until late 2009.

Read more stories on this subject in our economy topic page.The Charleston Regional Business Journal has the story (along with lots of fun charts) and reports that many economist point out that future prospects are tied heavily to the performance of Charleston's port -- which hasn't been doing so hot.

Meanwhile, the Journal also reports that College of Charleston president George Benson made a plea for state lawmakers to not abandon higher education, as it is key to long-term economic growth.