Ga., S.C. close to sealing deal on shared cargo terminal

Historically port rivals, South Carolina and Georgia are one step closer to sharing a massive marine cargo terminal proposed for Jasper County.

The Georgia Ports Authority board of directors on Monday approved the nearly $7.6 million acquisition of more than 1,500 acres for the Savannah River development. The S.C. State Ports Authority board is expected to approve a similar resolution when it meets today.

Officials lauded the future terminal, which is an estimated 10 years away from completion, as a boon for international trade.

Though the land is in South Carolina, it is owned by Georgia's Department of Transportation. The two state ports authorities together will pay $5,000 per acre in a transfer that could be finalized as early as July 28.

In addition to settling disagreements with Georgia, the SPA also had to resolve a long-standing legal battle with Jasper County, which wanted to create its own port on the property.

Jasper County Administrator Andrew Fulghum welcomed this week's developments.

"Now we can put our attention toward planning infrastructures," he said.

Fulghum cited a 2001 study showing that a terminal could create more than 8,500 jobs and add more than $186 million in total personal income in

Jasper upon opening. Once it becomes completely operational it could create nearly 98,000 jobs and more than $2 billion in total personal income for both South Carolina and Georgia, Fulghum said.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers currently uses the property for dredge disposal. Once the property changes hands, the next steps include conducting environmental assessments and feasibility studies.

A group called the Jasper Ocean Terminal Joint Project Office was formed to move the project forward after the states agreed to work together late last year. The project office will eventually produce a bi-state compact, which will address financing and operations and will be subject to approval by the legislatures in both states and the U.S. Congress.

Reach Allyson Bird at 937-5594 or abird@postandcourier.com.

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