Jim Fair
GSP Logistics Parkway, seen here being cut and graded, will connect with Verne Smith Parkway (Hwy. 80) as the entrance and exit to all Inland Port traffic.
South Carolina Ports Authority rendering
International Commerce Way will be the road leading to the Inland Port facility. Norfolk Southern Railroad is the rail carrier servicing the Greer Inland Port and the Charleston Port.
Jim Fair
Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks, 1,400 feet long, have been delivered to the Greer Inland Port.
The GSP Logistics Parkway will service all traffic entering and exiting the J. Verne Smith Parkway (Hwy. 80), GreerToday.com has learned. The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport Board of Commissioners recommended today the entry point’s name, pending Spartanburg County approval.
International Commerce Way was designated by the South Carolina Ports Authority and area governments and commissions have referenced that road in public meetings.
Kevin Howell, Vice President/COO, suggested that commissioners consider the name as a brand. GSP staff offered suggested names with keywords such as genesis, meridian, summit and ascent. “The goal is the need to ‘like’ it, tie it to GSP,” Howell said. “You want to know that when you’re on Verne Smith Parkway, you are on GSP property.
GSP Commission Chairperson Minor Shaw reminded commissioners and staff, “This is important and this is forever.”
Commissioners did not consider names to be honored or memorialized.
Hank Ramella, commissioner, said, “I firmly believe GSP should be in the name.” He also said he preferred GSP to be in the front of the moniker instead of the end, since it could easily be lopped off.
Dave Edwards, President and CEO of GSP, agreed with Ramella. “When people see that (GSP) it’s a direct association with GSP.”
Commissioners were told the road name was needed “ASAP” for permitting and addressing the CenterPoint parcel for reference. Howell also said police and fire agencies needed the address for 911 purposes.
GSP Global Logistics Parkway was the name bandied about before “global” was eliminated for consideration. It appeared redundant with the SCPA's name of International Commerce Way.
Ramella suggested to commissioners the name “can always be changed if someone comes up with a brilliant idea.”
Still remaining is the name of the 45-acres on Tract “B” that the inland port will be referenced. GSP has contracted a long-term lease with CenterPoint as the port developer and construction manager.
The cost of the port is projected as high as $47 million to date.