'The agreement approved today by the Georgia Ports Authority Board of Directors is an important step towards continued economic growth and activity for Georgia and South Carolina,' Governor Sonny Perdue said. 'This joint port will give this region additional capacity to meet future shipping needs, and will lead to quality jobs for families on both sides of the Savannah River.'
The agreement, approved by the South Carolina State Port Authority (SCSPA), creates a Joint Project Office that will be funded by both port authorities and determine the feasibility and best location for the terminal, file for a development permit and develop a business plan.
'We are excited about moving forward on a project that will help build the long term viability of international trade in our region, create jobs and promote new economic opportunities,' said Steve Green, Chairman of GPA's Board of Directors.
The agreement, announced last month by Governors Perdue and Sanford of South Carolina, provides for the sale of 1,400 acres currently owned by the Georgia Department of Transportation to the GPA and SCSPA. The agreement further provides that the new Joint Project Office will work with the US Army Corps of Engineers to release existing spoil easements from the Jasper Terminal Study Site and both states' legislatures to adopt an interstate compact agreement to form the new entity that will ultimately own the terminal and decide how it is operated. As called for by Governors Perdue and Sanford last March, the Joint Project Office will concentrate on ways to use private capital in the construction of the Jasper County terminal.
