John Clayton
"There have been a lot of trains come and go on this track since that maiden trip 130 years ago, but none will be more significant than the first one to pull into and out of this port later this year."
Rick Danner, Mayor of Greer
Jim Fair
Almost 300 people made the trip to Greer Friday to attend the historic groundbreaking for the South Carolina Inland Port.
John Clayton
Norfolk Southern will service the inland port between Charleston and Greer. The 24-hour turnaround will have rail service hauling vehicles assembled in Greer at the BMW Manufacturing Co., to Charleston and unloaded for exporting before the return trip to Greer.
Jim Fair
The South Carolina Inland Port, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport and BMW Manufacturing Co. share Greer as its home headquarters.
“There have been a lot of trains come and go on this track since that maiden trip 130 years ago, but none will be more significant than the first one to pull into and out of this port later this year.”
Rick Danner
Mayor, Greer
“Sixty percent of in-state port business either originates from or is destined to the Upstate. I am happy that the inland port will provide greater access and efficiency for these imports and exports. This project will help upstate businesses grow and provide job opportunities in the area.”
Sen. Shane Martin
Chairman, Spartanburg County Legislative Delegation
“I am pleased with today’s groundbreaking on such an important project for the Upstate. Providing increased capacity will create industry growth and provide job opportunities that will be beneficial to the region and the state.”
Sen. Mike Fair
Chairman, Greenville County Legislative Delegation
“The Port of Charleston is the single largest driver of our state’s economy. The inland port will not only support the port and our local businesses, but will be a catalyst for further expansion and development in the area. I applaud what the Ports Authority is doing for our state and encourage them to continue investing in the people of South Carolina.”
Trey Gowdy
U.S. Rep., South Carolina
“This is a momentous day for the South Carolina Ports Authority and the entire state. In just six months from now, this site will be a fully operating container yard, an extension of the port within the thriving cargo base of the Upstate and the I-85 corridor. We have been impressed at the level of interest in this project from both current and prospective customers of the port. As the Southeast continues to lead the nation in exporting, and as e-commerce distribution grows, the inland port will be positioned to speed the flow of commerce and serve as a catalyst for investment in the surrounding area.”
Jim Newsome,
President and CO of the South Carolina Ports Authority
“Norfolk Southern is very excited to work with the South Carolina Ports Authority on the South Carolina Inland Port. This project leverages the best capabilities of Norfolk Southern and the South Carolina Ports Authority and will provide new, cost-effective, rail-based intermodal solutions that should benefit all the shippers in the Upstate South Carolina region.”
Mike McClellan
Vice President, Intermodal and Automotive Marketing for Norfolk Southern
“Our ports have driven economic investment across this great state for hundreds of years, and the inland port will play a crucial role in helping companies here move their goods more efficiently than ever before. It is critical that we invest in the infrastructure that supports our ports’ success in order to continue bringing good jobs to South Carolina.”
Nikki Haley
Governor, South Carolina
“This is a major economic announcement for South Carolina as about one in every five jobs is tied – directly or indirectly – to the Port of Charleston. This new Inland Port will dramatically expand the economic ties between the Upstate and Lowcountry, creating greater efficiencies for Upstate businesses getting their goods to market. I commend Jim Newsome and the State Ports Authority for their vision, as this investment will help grow our economy and create jobs.
Lindsey Graham
U.S. Senator, South Carolina
“Today’s groundbreaking at the South Carolina Inland Port in Greer is another strong step forward for our state’s economy. Strengthening the connection between the Upstate and the Lowcountry will provide a vital engine as we strive to compete and succeed in the global economy. I have no doubt the hardworking folks in the Upstate will make South Carolina proud by helping build a better economic future for all of us.”
Tim Scott
U.S. Senator, South Carolina
“The South Carolina Inland Port is a perfect example of the kind of public-private partnership President Obama called for to improve our nation’s infrastructure in his State of the Union address this month. “As the President said, our country’s businesses need modern ports to move our goods.”
Ray LaHood
U.S. Secretary of Transportation
“CenterPoint is pleased to partner with the South Carolina Ports Authority and the state to build an inland intermodal terminal for port container traffic, the first of its kind in the nation. South Carolina has been a leader in attracting business. This is another first of its kind in the nation. South Carolina has been a leader in attracting business. This is another innovative step.”
Paul Fisher
President and CEO of Oak Brook, Illinois-based CenterPoint Properties
“This is economically an important evolutionary story for the state and upstate. It’s magnificent for the job tax base, the health of our communities and citizens. I think we are heading into a boom and for a lot of reasons.”
Bill Barnet
Commissioner, Greenville Spartanburg International Airport
“Deepening Charleston harbor is one big piece of the puzzle that maximizes the potential of our state’s primary economic engine. Another major piece in the South Carolina State Ports Authority’s current inland port project in Greer, S.C., which will provide many advantages to both the Upstate and South Carolina as a whole. With the Upstate serving as the state’s primary manufacturing hub, the location of the inland port will enable companies to move their goods with greater efficiency to a global consumer base.”
S.C. Sen. Larry Grooms
Chairman, Review and Oversight Commission on the South Carolina Ports Authority and Senate Transportation Committee
“Today’s groundbreaking marks a significant gain in inland infrastructure, which will enhance the South Carolina Ports Authority’s current capabilities to move goods more efficiently in and out of our harbors.”
S.C. Rep. Jim Merrill
Vice Chairman, Review and Oversight Commission on the South Carolina Ports Authority
“The inland port is a unique infrastructure and logistical project that presents strategic and sustainable importing/exporting opportunities for the manufacturing community. South Carolina, like much of the United States, is experiencing a manufacturing renaissance that could lead to significant capital investments and new jobs. Projects like the inland port are the types of investments we have to make to be competitive in a fast paced international economy that demands efficient supply-chain networks. The growth the inland port can help generate in the future is tremendous.”
Lewis Gossett
President and CEO, South Carolina Manufactures Alliance
“Projects like this inland port will create jobs both now and well into the future. The port is vital to South Carolina’s economy and I support this effort which I hope will move in tandem with the private inland port in Santee to grow the capacity of our import and export business in our state and throughout the Southeast.”
Jim Clyburn
U.S. Rep., South Carolina
“Today’s groundbreaking is another step forward in ensuring the Port of Charleston is the premier port of call on the East Coast. The positive ripple effects on businesses as a result of the inland port will drive economic growth around the Palmetto State. The daily rail service to the Port of Charleston will also begin to address some of the capacity issues on our state’s roadways and ensure South Carolina remains competitive.”
Otis Rawl
President and CEO, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
“The Maritime Association of South Carolina (MASC) has long recognized the mutually beneficial relationship between Upstate businesses and the Port of Charleston. We congratulate the SC Ports Authority for its further development of this relationship through the opening of the Inland Port. MASC stands ready to help make this endeavor a success and will continue to promote and foster the viability of the port as the economic driver of the State.”
Pam Zaresk
President, Maritime Association of South Carolina
“For those of us who reside in the Upstate and know how vital the Port is to our business and industry, the groundbreaking today signals a new era for effective distribution through this intermodal hub. I look forward to seeing how the inland site strengthens our port’s competitiveness and improves logistics for South Carolina companies.”
Mark Cothran
Vice President of Public Policy, Upstate Chambers Coalition