The new organization, SC Free Market Ports, aims to raise money, lobby state government and raise public awareness on the proposed benefits of private participation in maritime cargo container ports, Stewart said Monday.

Stewart, who announced last week that he doesn't plan to run for re-election on the County Council, said the group will act as an information clearing house for port privatization and common banner for like-minded businesses. Television commercials, advertising, lobbying the General Assembly in Columbia and supporting political candidates are all possible modes of operation, he said.

The S.C. State Ports Authority, which operates ports in Charleston, Georgetown and Port Royal, controls all of the state's container port and is locked in a state Supreme Court lawsuit with Jasper County over who has the right to build a new port on the Savannah River.

"We're one of the nation's poorest states with the second highest unemployment rate, so we thought this was an issue our Republican leadership and regular business leadership would get behind, but they have not," Stewart said Monday. "Why are jobs and income not being invested in Jasper County when it doesn't require anything but stepping out of the way and letting private industry work?"

The State Ports Authority in August rejected a business model that allows private enterprise to finance and operate port facilities owned by an authority or other governmental entity. Jasper County's agreement with SSA Marine, one of the world's largest private port builders, is based on that model and would leave Jasper as the owner of the Savannah River land and facilities while SSA would pay rent and build the $600 million terminal.

After the Ports Authority filed suit against Jasper in January 2005, the agency turned down an offer to essentially split the annual income from the proposed port with Jasper and take control of the operation after 30 years.

The Ports Authority is seeking private dollars through cargo commitments to pay for expansions in North Charleston but has ruled out ceding operational control.

"A private investor wants to hand over $600 million to the state in 30 years," Stewart said Monday. "Who benefits from not accepting the money?"

The group's Web site, http://www.scfreemarketports.com/, lists examples of private partnerships in North Carolina, Virginia, Florida and Alabama that have led to major capacity expansions.

The examples aren't convincing, said Byron Miller, spokesman for the Ports Authority.

"As far as the model examples cited on the Web site, every one of them received millions in taxpayer dollars for capital projects," he said. "In South Carolina we don't do that. It's not a model the taxpayer in South Carolina wants."

Other groups have launched Web sites like Contain the Port and Hold the Port to Its Promises that have been critical or opposed to Ports Authority practices.

Stewart said he's put between $15,000 and $25,000 into the group and has hired Will Folks, former press secretary for Gov. Mark Sanford, to get the word out.

Stewart said there are other members of the nonprofit but wouldn't mention names Monday. Incorporation papers filed with the Secretary of State show Stewart created the group on Oct. 13 and is the sole contact. He also said he has no financial interest in the matter outside of being a South Carolina taxpayer.

Several members of the General Assembly have discussed the project with Stewart and stand in support of privatization.

"We're both singing off the same page," said state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, D-Ridgeland. "The bottom line is the State Ports Authority doesn't have the money or the capacity to invest in more terminals. Anyone who says otherwise is not dealing with reality."

Pinckney and other members of the General Assembly said they have legislation drafted directed at port privatization and Jasper County but are waiting for the right moment to file it.

Camps in Columbia, Charleston and Jasper are still awaiting the high court decision on the Savannah River proposal. The case was heard in September -- five months ago.

"The timing (of future legislation) is tied to the Supreme Court happening," said Rep. Bill Herbkersman, R-Bluffton. "I plan on contacting a couple members of the Supreme Court and reminding them that we're still waiting."

Jasper officials welcomed word of Stewart's group Monday.

"What he's proposing to do will provide an environment where individuals supportive of moving the state forward will have a venue," Jasper County Administrator Andy Fulghum said. "They can join a common group with a common goal."