Cost Increases for Greer's Inland Port

The SC State Ports Authority's inland port under construction in Greer will cost $12.9 million more than estimated, officials said.

The original cost estimate was $33.6 million. Ports authority board members voted Tuesday to increase the inland port’s budget to not more than $47.4 million, GSA Business reported.

The reason? Capacity increases and challenges presented by the site’s topography not included in the original plan. However, development partner Norfolk Southern has reportedly agreed to foot a portion of the increased costs.

Ports Authority CEO Jim Newsome said the original plan was for 40,000 lifts annually at the port, but new capacity will increase that figure to 80,000.

“For about $10 to $13 million, we’re doubling the capacity of the inland port site,” said Bill Stern, chairman of the ports authority board, during the meeting, according to the paper.

"The port has also had to acquire property on nearby Moore Street and is condemning a cold storage facility on the inland port site. Those and other unplanned expenses have led to an increase in the project’s price as the port continues to shoot for a Sept. 1 opening," the paper reported.

More here.