On Monday 23 May, $7.5 million was approved by the Georgia Ports Authority, marking the first big steps toward building a new seaport terminal on the Savannah River, to be operated jointly with South Carolina.
Georgia and South Carolina officials insist the shared terminal is their best bet for expansion once the rival ports of Savannah and Charleston run out of space. The finished Jasper terminal would have room for 7 million shipping container units to accommodate future growth.
Both states have spent years discussing, studying and debating the proposed $4.5 billion Jasper Ocean Terminal, which would occupy 1,500 acres in Jasper County, South Carolina.
The two states are expected to split the $15 million costs of preparing for the required permits over the next three years. South Carolina Ports Authority spokeswoman Erin Dhand said her state's lawmakers have approved $2.5 million to cover next year's share.
"It's a huge step," said Curtis Foltz, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority. "This gets a very important phase of the project going forward.''
The Jasper terminal would be a huge investment for both states. Consultants say the first phase alone would take more than a decade to build at a cost of more than $2 billion.
Port leaders from both states are expected to give final approval to the initial funding plan in Charleston next month.
