The closer you look, the more astonishing Suffolk is becoming.

That’s what came to our mind Tuesday during the annual State of the City program in the Bridgeway Technology Center II, located in the northern neck of the town. Just outside, as Mayor E. Dana Dickens III pointed out to the audience, you truly can see the future – the Lockheed Martin’s futuristic-looking Global Vision Integration Center.

And, of course, the building where the event took place was another example of how the city’s business-friendly reputation is drawing industry near and far. Last year, the mayor pointed out, there were nine major local expansions and 18 new businesses. These 25 companies are to invest more than $120 million in new capital investment and created 1,000 new jobs.

Then of course, there’s still downtown. The Fairgrounds Initiative on East Washington Street, and the Hilton hotel and conference center at Constant’s Wharf immediately come to mind.

All this makes it understandable why Suffolk has been recently ranked the 43rd fastest growing community in America.

Vital to all this has been the Suffolk City Council’s focus on six priorities: economic development; education; downtown, neighborhood and village revitalization; quality of life; and smart growth.

By carefully following these, the city can continue looking forward and enjoying a brighter and better future.