Thursday, May 5, 2016

Jasper port project moves ahead



The Jasper Ocean Terminal is moving toward the permitting phase, and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley urged state lawmakers on Monday to start thinking about setting aside funds for the $4.5 billion port that South Carolina and Georgia will build along the Savannah River.

The new port could mean a million jobs and billions of dollars to the greater Jasper area. The price tag is an estimated $4.5 billion, which includes projects associated with the port, like widening Highway 17.

"So, that's why you're going to continue to hear me ask the Senate again, and ask the House again, you know, don't waste it," Haley said. "The years don't come by often, but let's put it in safety pockets.

"This Jasper Port is a priority in infrastructure just like the roads are. So, I think that we need to include that in that process so that everybody is ready for it."

The $4.5 billion would come partially from grant, and partially from the year-to-year building budget from the state.

In a luncheon meeting on Monday afternoon held by the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce, presenters suggested there would be one million jobs created by the year 2040, and $9 billion pumped back into the local tax base.

The ports in Savannah and Charleston are expected to be at capacity by 2025.

The project is currently in its contracting phase, as ports authority officials search for a third party developer.

For more of the WSAV 3 news story: wsav.com


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