South Carolina Ports has completed a US$55 million expansion at Inland Port Greer, enhancing the state’s intermodal connectivity between the Port of Charleston and inland markets.
The upgrades include a larger container yard—boosting cargo capacity by 50%-9,000 feet of additional rail for handling longer trains, an expanded chassis lot, and new terminal operations and maintenance buildings.
With these improvements, Inland Port Greer can now handle 300,000 rail lifts annually, meeting projected customer demand through 2040.
SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin stated: “This critical project not only supports the needs of our existing customers, but also positions the region to attract more cargo and new business. South Carolina is among the states with the fastest-growing population and GDP in the nation, and SC Ports stands ready with ample capacity and infrastructure to meet the growing demand for reliable port service.”
Driven by increasing customer demand, Inland Port Greer has experienced 355% cargo growth from 2014 to 2024, averaging 16% annual growth.
Melvin added, “We have seen tremendous growth at Inland Port Greer since operations began, and this expansion and investment will allow us to continue providing excellent service as our customers grow.”
The project was partially funded by a US$25 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) in 2018. Of that, SC Ports received US$13.75 million, administered by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). Partners in the grant application included SC Ports, SCDOT, Norfolk Southern, and BMW.
Melvin expressed gratitude for the support: “We are grateful for the support of our Congressional delegation, state leaders, USDOT and SCDOT. Their continued recognition of SC Ports as an economic driver for South Carolina and the broader Southeast allows us to make bold investments that keep our state competitive.”
This expansion comes as SC Ports prepares to launch the Navy Base Intermodal Facility (NBIF) in 2025, further improving rail access to key markets such as Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville, and Louisville.
Strategically located along the I-85 corridor between Atlanta and Charlotte, Inland Port Greer facilitates efficient cargo movement between Charleston and inland population centers. Norfolk Southern provides daily rail service, supporting industries such as advanced manufacturing, mega retail, and consumer goods.
SC Ports contributes US$44 billion in economic impact to the Upstate annually, supporting 132,000 jobs across the region.
