Plans for ocean terminal moving forward

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By Jaime Dailey bio | email

JASPER COUNTY, SC (WTOC) - A proposed Jasper Ocean terminal has been talked about for more than 20 years and officials say now plans are moving forward.

On Friday, many came together to hear the latest updates on the proposed terminal on the Savannah River during the chamber's State of the Jasper Ocean Terminal Address.

They say the port would bring an economic boost to the whole area, not just South Carolina.

After years of litigation, officials say they've made a lot of progress over the last couple of years, since both Georgia and South Carolina signed a joint agreement.

"We're making significant progress in developing business plans, culminating a database to do that planning and engaging various agencies," said Joint Project Office chairman Bill Bethea.

"About five years to plan and five years to build," said South Carolina senator Tom Davis. "I don't think it's unrealistic to think about a Jasper port handling cargo by 2019, 2020. This is a long term project and projects of this nature take time but I think that's realistic time frame."

Officials say the partnership between South Carolina and Georgia are crucial to helping the port become a reality. And they say, it wil benefit both states.