CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina has
spoken informally to Georgia about operating a steamship terminal in
Jasper County under a collaborative agreement, the head of the State
Ports Authority said.
"However, if these discussions do not bear fruit, South Carolina must
be prepared to move ahead on its own," Bernard Groseclose, the agency's
president and chief executive told a maritime industry gathering this
week.
Groseclose said the agency is committed to making a major investment
on the Savannah River in Jasper County.
"Make no mistake: This project is not a substitute for Charleston
expansion," Groseclose told the Propeller Club of the Port of
Charleston. "With careful planning, the projects can be complementary."
The agency and Jasper County are battling over the proposed terminal
in a case that has gone to the South Carolina Supreme Court.
The county wants to develop a privately financed $500 million
terminal on the South Carolina side of the river just downstream from
Savannah, Ga. The State Ports Authority argues it has the exclusive
right to develop ports in the state.
"If the court rules in our favor, we'll quickly move ahead on this
vital project," Groseclose said.
Groseclose said the agency is working on three fronts to make sure it
has enough space.
The state's ability to move cargo quickly requires completion of a
new container terminal on the former Navy base in North Charleston.
Before then, the agency hopes to get some additional space by
developing 50 acres at its Wando Welch terminal in Mount Pleasant, he
said. It's the port's last large piece of undeveloped land there.
The agency also will "pursue development in Jasper County for even
longer-term opportunities," Groseclose said.
The authority wants to build a three-berth, 288-acre terminal in
North Charleston, the first phase of which is expected to be completed
in six years.
Groseclose urged about 40 lawmakers at the meeting to push for public
money to build an access road linking the new terminal with Interstate
26. The road financing is not the authority's responsibility, he said.
"For both traffic and community reasons, it is absolutely essential
that this connection is made," he said.
---
Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.charleston.net/
