Ports give S.C. economy a boost
By Allyson Bird
The Post and Courier
Coal is moved from ships to train cars at Kinder Morgan's local terminal. A new study analyzed the financial impact of the state's coastal ports, including private terminals like the one Kinder Morgan operates on the Cooper River.
To read Bernard Groseclose Jr.'s speech from the Propeller Club of the Port of Charleston's 75th anniversary gala Thursday, go to Charleston.net/multimedia
More than one in every 10 workers in South Carolina earns a living connected to the coastal region's public and private ports.
Those people comprise nearly 14 percent of the state's total income. And the port operations and users account for more than 12 percent of the gross state product.
The SPA on Friday released its first impact study in six years, completed by transportation and infrastructure consulting firm Wilbur Smith Associates. The study found the SPA and other port facilitates — such as the privately owned Kinder Morgan terminal on the Cooper River — create nearly $45 billion in economic output annually, including more than $12 billion in labor income.
Bernard Groseclose Jr., the SPA's chief executive, said the employment figures constitute "the basis of economic development."
"It shows just how important global trade is to the state of South Carolina," he said.
The SPA generates more than $2 billion in wages and salaries to 50,700 people in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties, according to the study.
But the Piedmont's manufacturing sector accounts for more SPA-related jobs than any other region in the state. That area, in turn, generates the largest share of port-related taxes at $684 million.
Wilbur Smith found the SPA's tax impacts total about $1.5 billion annually.
The study also charted changes in cargo between 2002 and 2007.
It found that imports flowing through the Charleston Harbor grew 34 percent over five years. Exports rose nearly 14 percent, but domestic shipments fell 52 percent.
The study concluded that the drop "reflects a major decline in manufactured goods."
Nearly half of the state's manufacturing jobs relate to the port, but manufacturing fell nearly 8 percent between 2002 and 2007.
Groseclose said that decline reflects a national trend during the same period.
Almost three-quarters of all exports originating in South Carolina flowed through the Port of Charleston, according to the study, and close to 80 percent of imports destined for South Carolina came in through the port.
The study concluded that in-state businesses have other port options within the Southeast but that those alternatives likely come with higher prices related to transportation and handling.
The SPA has spent $350 million in capital improvements over the past decade.
Within the next five years it will spend more than $400 million on the Navy base terminal alone.
Reach Allyson Bird at 937-5594 or abird@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
trod1 (anonymous) says...
BLAH BLAH BLAH more anti port rhetoric.containers are already being stacked as high as it is safe to do so in this region.higher stacking equipment has been purchased over the last few years and is in use so quit spouting off on which you obviously know very little about. there comes a point to where it gets so congested it gets to be unsafe and you cant move cargo.as for building a new port if you wait you will be behind when its needed just like our local highways are.thats funny im sure Hyundai korea is still building a few ships for a few different lines.man please....
November 1, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CaptKick (anonymous) says...
Spankerbuns - You don't have a clue about what you are talking about. I shouldn't even waste my time responding to you so I won't. Wouldn't do any good. There is an old saying -It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a FOOL than open your mouth and remove ALL DOUBT!
You did my job for me!
November 1, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trux4u (anonymous) says...
I guess we should just stop spending any monies for anything put it all under our mattresses so we can punish these corprate fools. Im willing to just sit back and watch the economy just fall into an abiss. Hord your money thats the best way to improve the economy. Dont vote either that will show them.
November 1, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
The SPA should promote the hiring of cheaper non-union workers to make Charleston more competitive as Savannah continues to take business away as in the Maersk story. Where can I sign up as a non-union worker?
November 1, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Imagine the boost to OUR state's economy if all those truckers were buying South Carolina grown Algae-BIOFUEL for their trucks THAT MOVE THE cargo!!!
...or Shrimpers using in their diesel BOATS !!!
....or Construction co. using in their heavy equipment !!
..or BMW producing biodisel cars HERE IN our STATE !!
..or CSX or NORFOLK-SOUTHERN using in their TRAINS !!!
YES ...I'm Thinking ABOUT BOOSTING OUR STATE's Economy!!
IS any Politician in our WHOLE state doing the SAME !!
Is any PAPER in this STATE.... reporting this BOOST !??
LOL ...LOL !!
WAKE ...UP ....Citizens !!!!
100 Thousand Gallons per acreage per YEAR !!!
I wonder how many FARMERS are getting subsidies to grow NOTHING ???
November 1, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trod1 (anonymous) says...
he SPA should promote the hiring of cheaper non-union workers to make Charleston more competitive as Savannah continues to take business away as in the Maersk story. Where can I sign up as a non-union worker? Savannah uses union labor also the difference is they support their port they now a good thing when they have it.union wages are really just a very small portion of the cost to mearsk or any line for that matter.
there is a lot of stuff that was and will not be published in the article.
November 1, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jnot (anonymous) says...
I'd like to see this report broken down in terms of commercial business (Kinder Morgan, Paper mill, etc.) vs. the taxpayer-financed non-taxpaying SPA terminals. Then factor in the value of the land the SPA terminals sit on that they didn't pay for and compare it to what a commercial enterprise would pay the state to use it and then let's have a real discussion about economic impact.
November 1, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trod1 (anonymous) says...
The port uses their own profits for operating expenses and equipment purchases and terminal upgrades.the north charleston terminals were all owned by the military at one point.columbus street was the city dump.im not sure about the wando.and union pier has been their since the settlers were here actually wood floors still in parts.so most of the terminals you inquire about were not paid for by the state anyway.wando being excluded ill have to research that one.the economic impact to our state be it public or private is a considerable amount.
November 1, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cinnabar (anonymous) says...
Go SPA...Every city needs business and the buisness of docking, loading, and unloading ships is a good one for a location with a natural resource like our harbour.
Don't be bothered by the comments, the troll under the bridge Enviro-demos will eventually move on to some other cause as soon as they tire with global 'warming' and their other cause du jour issues. The sad thing is they won't shut up if you ever cooperate with them, they keep pushing way beyond the point of diminishing returns.
The port was here long before any of the lunatic detractor commentors. They should remember to take their medication and lock up their scissors and steak knives. And I look forward to unsubsidized algaebiodiesel at $3/gal, bring it on...
November 1, 2008 at 9:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CaptKick (anonymous) says...
jnot- You are worse that spankerbuns. You are so off base it is a waste of time to argue with you.I have to let you know though - that while the SPA is a State Agency it is NOT funded by the taxpayer. They operate with their own revenues and actually make a profit that is reinvested into equipment, land and YES more JOBS. They actually helped pay for the interchages off 526 to Daniel Island that they don't get to use. They made a contribution to the new Ravenel Bridge. That's enough - even though there is more. You are an idiot. Do your homework before you go running your mouth about something you know NOTHING about!
November 2, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Judging by the comments, it looks like the port folks are trying to protect their turf. We all know that the big man at SPA is making big bucks, beleave his name is Glencloss (sp?) And the head of the long shore men is also doing well. Could anyone tell me what the grunt long shore man makes per hour, overtime and typical annual income and contrast it with say a school teacher, who has a degree and puts up with a lot in the class room.
November 2, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
I should have added, teachers face a lot of hostile behavior (from both admin and students) and some danger - perhaps on a level equal to or greater than is faced on the water front.
November 2, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
The silence is deafening.
November 2, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
I worked at the North Charleston terminal back in the sixties and in later years sailed on many merchant vessels entering and leaving our port.
One of the biggest wastes of money was the inflated wages paid to members of the International Longshoreman's Union.
For example, I can remember a fellow that did nothing more than sweep out trailers. He was classified as a "mechanic" at an hourly rate of $18.00. That around 1986.
Nothing wrong with paying a reasonable wage to a deserving employee but the unions have become nothing more than legalized mob ruled extortion.
November 2, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Spankedbrains I have always made a decent living based on my talent and ability to deliver a good days work for the pay I received.
I am nothing like you welfare pimps and parasites who think some people have a God given right to receive top pay when all they have going for them is the ability to show up at the job site more often than not.
You are to be pitied for your ignorance and self loathing but somehow I just can't seem to comply.
You'll have to look to Obama's socialist system to provide you with a rent subsidized apartment, utility bill, food stamps and free medical services at the closest clinic. Under those conditions you might survive.
November 2, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
I am glad to see a little action here, perhaps my questions will be answered, but I do not hold high hopes.
November 2, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trod1 (anonymous) says...
Judging by the comments, it looks like the port folks are trying to protect their turf. We all know that the big man at SPA is making big bucks, beleave his name is Glencloss (sp?) And the head of the long shore men is also doing well. Could anyone tell me what the grunt long shore man makes per hour, overtime and typical annual income and contrast it with say a school teacher, who has a degree and puts up with a lot in the class room.
IF you started today your starting pay would be 16 dollars an hr.when you get rated it goes up. spank ur if you asked them they would tel you with enough seniority they could still make close to six figures.port operators of equipment and cranes are non union only the checkers and longshoremen are union.so ask and you didnt give anything but theory and speculation.the truth and anything you have said are two different things...................
November 2, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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