By Senator Kent Williams
In April, the South Carolina Ports Authority announced exciting plans to open a second inland port in Dillon County. The Dillon site was deemed ideal for the second inland port since it has a concentration of potential cargo with immediate access for CSX’s rail line and will have the appropriate proximity to the Port to ensure competitiveness with other modes of transportation.  These criteria must be in place for the South Carolina Ports Authority to justify developing a site such as Inland Port Dillon. In addition, just as BMW was a key factor for the Greer Inland Port, a key factor to this site being chosen for this project was having Harbor Freight Tools as an anchor client at the industrial park.
Building an intermodal line helps create development and outreach corridors for companies to move their goods, whether importing or exporting, in a cost efficient manner. These corridors become an integral part of the intermodal network in the region and the state, which allows for more economic development sites in the area.  Not only will this inland port create an economic boom for our area, it is expected to remove twenty-five thousand trucks off of I-26 and I-95.
Once the Ports Authority decided on Dillon, I was proud to write a letter of support of a FASTLANE grant for this project. This project undoubtedly will be a driving force for economic development in our region. Let me be very clear, this will not be limited to just Dillon. All of our area will see prosperity linked to this inland port. We will see expansion in existing industry. We will also have the capacity to attract new business. Just look at how Dollar Tree selected the Upstate because of the inland port, but located in Cowpens, some 30 miles from Greer.
Developing the Inland Port Dillon is not only great for the future of our area, it’s great for the future and competitiveness of this state and the region. It is an honor to serve you in Columbia, and I am grateful for your continued support. As with all matters concerning state government, I want to hear your opinions and suggestions concerning these issues. Please contact me in my Columbia office located at 608 Gressette Office Building. You can reach me, or a member of my staff in Columbia at (803) 212-6000 or by fax at (803) 212-6011. My district office is located at 1305 N. Main Street, Marion, SC 29571, the phone number is (843) 423-8237 and the fax number is (843) 431-6049. You may also email me at kentwilliams@scsenate.gov.
As always, I also want to supply you with my business phone number so that you will able to reach me easily at any time.
My business phone is (843) 423-3904. Please use this information to write, call or email me with your suggestions and concerns regarding issues before the Senate and in our community.