Posted on January 9, 2019
The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) has received a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support the expansion of its 50-acre inland port in Spartanburg County.
Once complete, the expansion of Inland Port Greer will increase terminal capacity, allow for additional storage and processing tracks inside the terminal which will improve rail capacity, efficiency and flexibility, and expand on-terminal support facilities, according to a news release.
The expansion includes an extension of the port’s lead track and rail line to approximately 15,100 feet, the acquisition of additional equipment for the handling, loading, and unloading of containers, and the paving of up to 40 acres, the release said.
“As S.C. Ports continues to see record growth, this funding is critical for the expansion efforts at Inland Port Greer,” said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO, in the release. “This project will support local manufacturing, increase capacity for logistics growth, and improve transportation networks supporting traffic flows for imports and exports throughout the state and region.”
Located at 100 International Commerce Blvd., the inland port in Greer opened in 2013 and is linked to the Port of Charleston by the Norfolk Southern main rail line, which provides overnight service between Charleston and the Upstate.
During its most recent fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2018, the inland port in Greer handled a record 117,812 containers — 28.5 percent better than fiscal year 2016. It has seen a 10 percent increase in cargo during the first quarter of this fiscal year.
The SCPA partnered with the S.C. Department of Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and BMW Manufacturing Co. on the grant application. The funds will be administered through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development program.
“This grant enhances the multimodal transportation infrastructure in our state significantly,” said Secretary of Transportation Christy Hall. “Our overall transportation system serves as the infrastructure for economic development on a scale that improves the lives of all South Carolinians.”
BMW Manufacturing spokeswoman Sky Foster said “the inland port has been essential for our day-to-day logistics operations and in our ability to expand production and add new models. We appreciate the support of the state and federal Departments of Transportation, the South Carolina Ports Authority, and other partners that worked diligently to secure this funding.”
Source: UBJ
