Staff Report
Published Feb. 19, 2013

The S.C. State Ports Authority said Tuesday it scheduled a groundbreaking for the inland port in Greer for March 1.

The facility will link Upstate and Southeastern manufacturers to the Port of Charleston via rail operated by Norfolk Southern. The ports authority has said it expects to open the facility Sept. 1.

Economic development officials have said the inland port could spur the development of a logistics and manufacturing hub on surrounding land.

The inland port will be built within a few miles of the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Interstate 85 and BMW Manufacturing. More than 250 acres of private land is available for purchase surrounding these entities, according to a list from several Upstate real estate firms. Additionally, the airport is unlocking around 1,500 acres of its land for private development, including a large tract that abuts the port’s land.

The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 1 at 1120 E. Poinsett St., Greer.