CHARLESTON – September 12, 2016 – On Monday, the South Carolina Ports Authority announced plans to develop a second inland port in Dillon to support growth of intermodal container volumes and expand access to markets in neighboring states and throughout the Northeast and Midwest.
“Inland Port Dillon will be a great diversification of our state’s logistics footprint,” said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. “Building intermodal infrastructure in our state goes hand-in-hand with the significant investment we are making to our port facilities in Charleston. This is an exciting opportunity for SCPA.”
At a meeting on Monday, the SCPA Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the Port to move forward with construction of the terminal in the Carolinas I-95 Mega Site. SCPA will break ground on the new terminal in the first quarter of 2017 and plans to open the facility by the end of the year.
“Selective development of inland infrastructure enables freight to move more easily and is critical to the growth of the Port,” Newsome said. “We are grateful for the support of our local partners, including Marlboro Electric Cooperative, to make this project possible and are already working with a number of interested companies who are potential customers of the facility.”
Located in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina, the site was selected for its proximity to I-95, a critical transportation artery in the Southeast, as well as a significant base of existing Port users in the area that represent base cargo opportunities for the facility.
“Inland Port Greer has allowed the Port to increase the cargo volumes moved by intermodal rail and become a key catalyst for economic development in the Upstate,” said Pat McKinney, SCPA Board Chairman. “We are confident that Inland Port Dillon will realize similar benefits for the Port and our customers, increase local business opportunities and provide solid job growth. We appreciate the involvement and support of the state and federal agencies assisting the Port to make this project a reality.”
The site is served by an existing CSX mainline, which provides overnight access to the Port of Charleston. With 166 percent growth of SCPA’s intermodal volume since 2011, demand for such inland facilities has increased rapidly.
“Expanding intermodal service in South Carolina through Inland Port Dillon will create a competitive advantage for area businesses by lowering transportation costs and providing greater access to domestic and international markets,” said Dean Piacente, CSX Vice- President, Intermodal. “This new facility will build on the state of South Carolina’s already strong freight rail network supporting continued business growth and job creation.”
Local elected leaders were pleased with the news.
“I am pleased with today’s announcement on such an important project for the Pee Dee. Providing increased inland infrastructure will create industry growth and provide job opportunities that will be beneficial to the region and the state,” said South Carolina Representative Jackie E. “Coach” Hayes.
“According to a recent economic impact study, port-related jobs pay 40 percent higher than the statewide average. We are excited that Dillon is the site of the next Inland Port and look forward to building a strong partnership with the South Carolina Ports Authority. Today is a great day for Dillon and our region,” said Dillon County Council Chairman T.F.  “Buzzy” Finklea, Jr.
“The opportunity for job creation and economic growth driven by this facility in our region cannot be overstated. This is an extremely significant day for residents of Dillon and surrounding areas, and I applaud the Ports Authority for making this a reality,” said South Carolina Senator Kent Williams.
“Marlboro Development Team and Marlboro Electric Cooperative are excited about the decision made by the SCPA to locate their next inland port in Dillon, SC,” says Bo McInnis, chairman of both MDT and MEC. “We also look forward to the continued partnership both our organizations will have with the Port and Dillon county in furthering the economic development efforts in this region”
“Inland Port Dillon will expand opportunity and bring industrial diversity to the Pee Dee region and beyond. I’d like to thank the South Carolina Ports Authority for their continued leadership and efforts to advance this project, which will create much-needed jobs and have a huge impact on our economy,” said United States Congressman Tom Rice
“This announcement is another step forward in ensuring the Port of Charleston is the preferred port on the East Coast. The positive ripple effects on businesses as a result of an inland port in Dillon will drive economic growth around the region. I look forward to seeing the facility strengthen our Port’s competitiveness and improve logistics for South Carolina companies,” saidSenator Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr., President Pro Tempore and Executive Committee, North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA).
A study of the market potential and proposed terminal layout was completed since the SCPA first announced its consideration of the Dillon site in April. The Port will now move into the design phase of the project, with the initial terminal build out expected to accommodate 45,000 containers annually.

About South Carolina Ports Authority
South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA), established by the state’s General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston, Georgetown and Greer, handling international commerce valued at more than $63 billion annually while receiving no direct taxpayer subsidy. An economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 187,200 statewide jobs and generate nearly $53 billion annual economic activity. Home to the Southeast’s deepest port, SCPA is the industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. For more information on SCPA, please visit http://www.scspa.com/

RESOLUTION OF THE
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE PORTS AUTHORITY
AUTHORIZING THE
DEVELOPMENT OF
AN INLAND PORT IN DILLON,
SOUTH CAROLINA
WHEREAS, the South Carolina State Ports Authority has, as its mission and purposes, among others, to contribute to the economic development of South Carolina by fostering and stimulating waterborne commerce, including both cargo and passengers, to develop and improve the harbors or seaports of the State and to construct, equip, maintain, develop and improve such harbors or seaports and their port facilities, to the increase of waterborne commerce, foreign and domestic, through such harbors and seaports; and
WHEREAS, the South Carolina State Ports Authority is authorized by the General Assembly to establish inland ports to provide services for the handling of cargo and to make such rules and regulations and do such other things as may be necessary to carry out the creation of said inland ports; and
WHEREAS, the South Carolina State Ports Authority, among its powers, may rent lease, buy own, exchange, acquire, mortgage and dispose of such property, real or personal, as the Authority may deem proper to carry out its purposes; and
WHEREAS, the South Carolina State Ports Authority desires to develop, construct, operate, and maintain an inland port terminal in Dillon, South Carolina (“SC Inland Port – Dillon”) in order to increase economic development and waterborne commerce in the State of South Carolina and to provide for a quick and efficient means of transportation of cargo between the Port of Charleston and upstate businesses; and
WHEREAS, the South Carolina State Ports Authority board has considered and reviewed the information regarding the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of the SC Inland Port – Dillon.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of the South Carolina State Ports Authority, in meeting duly assembled, that the South Carolina State Ports Authority proceed with the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of the SC Inland Port – Dillon, and the Board does authorize the South Carolina State Ports Authority’s President and Chief Executive Officer, with the right to delegate authority as needed, to take any and all steps and do any and all things necessary to accomplish the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of the SC Inland Port – Dillon, in an amount not to exceed Forty Million and 00/100 Dollars ($40,000,000.00), including but not limited to, land acquisition, land swaps, construction, engineering, design, obtaining rail access, and all other things necessary to construct, complete, operate, and maintain the SC Inland Port – Dillon and to enter into contracts with CSX Transportation and/or other parties as required and in accordance with applicable law and in accordance with any further instruction from the South Carolina State Ports Authority Board.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board of the South Carolina State Ports Authority, in a meeting duly assembled, that the South Carolina State Ports Authority proceed with the development, construction, operation. and maintenance of the SC Inland Port – Dillon, and the Board does authorize the South Carolina State Ports Authority’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (each, an “Authorized Officer”), with the right to delegate authority as needed, to take any and all steps and do any and all things necessary to accomplish the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of the SC Inland Port – Dillon, including but not limited to the borrowing of funds not exceeding $35,000,000 from one or more banks to be selected by an Authorized Officer, such borrowing to be evidenced by a loan agreement or loan agreements (each, a “Loan Agreement”) and amortized over a period not to exceed 20 years at a rate of interest not to exceed 6%, upon such terms and conditions as shall be approved by an Authorized Officer, his execution of such Loan Agreement to be conclusive evidence of such approval.
ADOPTED at the regular meeting of the South Carolina State Ports Authority held September 12, 2016.
WITNESS the hand and seal of the Secretary of the South Carolina State Ports Authority.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE PORTS AUTHORITY