As state and local officials await a South Carolina Supreme Court decision affirming who has the authority to build a port in Jasper County, they should not abandon the idea of a cooperative agreement.

A battle of words over the proposed port has continued to escalate, and both sides bring up important issues that must be resolved. As they continue the verbal fisticuffs, Georgia remains several steps ahead of the Palmetto State in the battle to cash in on a projected surge in cargo shipping for the area.

The history of the port project covers more than a decade. The battle started years ago when Jasper County set out to improve its economic base by partnering with one of the nation's largest shipping companies, Seattle-based SSA Marine, to build a port on the Savannah River. Jasper County's plan was crippled by a S.C. Supreme Court decision in 2003 that said its deal with the private shipping company didn't show a compelling public interest to condemn the land needed for the port, but it left the door open for the county to revise its plan. Jasper has revised its plan.

During the decade, the South Carolina State Ports Authority barely would give Jasper County the time of day, much less hold earnest discussions. Jasper officials have become distrustful of the State Ports Authority, which has developed a reputation as a big, gruff bureaucracy hell-bent on doing business its own way.

Two-state communication on a port started a year ago when Gov. Mark Sanford and Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue discussed the issue, but nothing was made public. After a year of waiting, Jasper County officials moved ahead with their plan.

Today Jasper and the Ports Authority still are battling. This time, though, the Ports Authority has a list of former governors saying that the state, not individual counties, should be the entity to build and negotiate a port.

Jasper officials contend that the state doesn't have a plan to begin port development. They are distrustful of the Ports Authority, saying it has an allegiance to the Port of Charleston, where expansion already is planned, and wants to leave the Jasper property undeveloped.

Gov. Sanford last month left the door open for an agreement with Jasper officials. He said the state should control the development, but that doesn't mean the state has to build the terminal by itself. Sanford said possibilities include partnerships with private companies or with Georgia.

Jasper officials have maintained for more than a year that they are willing to work with the Ports Authority -- but only if the authority is committed to following through with building the Jasper terminal.

Jasper officials seem to have the right idea -- move ahead. And they rightly think that others are usurping their power and their franchise to provide economic growth for the poor, rural county.

Jasper has earned a spot at the negotiating table. Jasper officials have done a yeoman service for the county and the state.

An examination of Georgia action in recent months shows that six of the 12 top U.S. importers have distribution centers near Savannah. The Sierra Club of Georgia predicts others will arrive. Savannah Economic Development Authority has bought several hundred acres between Georgia Hwy. 21 and the Savannah River to make way for anticipated growth from shipping from Asia.

Georgia port activity shows that the Ports Authority, the S.C. Department of Commerce and Jasper County should be cooperating instead of creating diversions.

If the governor means what he said about a partnership with Jasper County and private enterprise, a contract outlining Jasper's role and a timetable for action should be all that is needed.

Of course, nothing is ever that simple, but it should be. It doesn't make sense for people who want the same thing to fight each other, when the battle with a competing state will be difficult enough.