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Designated years ago as one of the best major port sites available on the Eastern Seaboard, the Jasper port vision continues to be hamstrung by one thing -- the "old boy" network in Charleston.
State senator and gubernatorial candidate Larry Grooms is well entrenched in this club. He, along with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman and the State Ports Authority (read Charleston Ports Authority), oppose any attempt to establish a competing port in this state. Nevermind that it would be the greatest economic catalyst our poorest counties have ever had. They will deep-six it in a heartbeat to protect selfish business interests in their backyard.
Pay no attention to their "newfound" objections that possible expansion of the Savannah port might negate the need for a Jasper port or that "unexpected" dredging might increase construction expense or that dredging might damage the aquifer. They are all smoke screens.
It is estimated that more than 20 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit containers) will offload annually in area ports. That's more than an expanded Savannah port, an expanded Charleston port and a new Jasper port combined can handle.
Environmental and financial impacts for dredging will be far less for the Jasper port than for the Garden City terminals 10 miles upstream. The challenges have been identified and can be addressed.
Everyone, media included, should take note: Anyone attempting to derail this grand project is no friend of South Carolina.
Gina Raymond
Bluffton
