Governors Perdue, Sanford Announce Cooperative Ports Proposal

Georgia, South Carolina governors unveil framework for new port aimed at enhancing competitiveness of both states

SAVANNAH – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford joined together today to announce their proposal for a port in Jasper County, South Carolina that would be owned, developed and operated jointly by the two states.

Under the proposal, the two states would form a Bi-State Port Authority with a Bi-State Compact – to be approved by the two states' legislatures and ratified by the United States Congress – for a port to be built on land currently owned by the Georgia Department of Transportation in Jasper County, South Carolina. The new entity would function much like the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which has been in operation for more than 80 years.

"Today's announcement marks an historic day in the long term economic viability of this region," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "Governor Sanford and I have proposed a plan that will benefit both Georgia and South Carolina. Commerce doesn't begin or end at a line drawn on a map, so it was crucial for the two states to come together and ensure that prosperity continues."

"If South Carolina and Georgia are going to maintain our respective competitive advantages when it comes to being Southeastern shipping destinations, the time to act is now," Gov. Sanford said. "This proposal Governor Perdue and I are making is an incredibly important step toward that end, and I think it represents our best chance to get this port built sooner rather than later."

The proposal between the two states would:

• Create the Bi-State Port Authority to be owned on a 50-50 basis.
• Authorize the Georgia Department of Transportation's sale of its right, title and interest in the Jasper Terminal Site to the Bi-State Port Authority for its fair market value.
• Fund (with each state bearing one-half of the cost) the Bi-State Port Authority land acquisition, administrative costs related to its accomplishment of its responsibilities, etc.
• Immediately petition the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a relocation of the spoil easement on the property.
• Ask for private companies to submit proposals to participate in the development the first phase of the Jasper Terminal Site using private capital.