SC Public Railways partners with Water Missions International
August 6, 2012
COLUMBIA, SC – August 6, 2012 – South Carolina Public Railways today announced its partnership with Charleston faith-based Water Missions International. Public Railways will provide warehouse space at the old Navy base to help fulfill the mission of WMI, who offers safe-water solutions to developing countries and disaster areas.
“Water Missions International has now deployed more than 700 water purification machines to more than 40 countries and some U.S. states, making safe water available to more than 1 million people,” said Jeff McWhorter, president and CEO of South Carolina Public Railways. “By donating the use of one of our warehouses, we will not only help WMI with their mission of saving lives but it will also bring additional business activity to property owned by Public Railways on the old Navy base.”
Under the terms of the lease, WMI will completely rehabilitate the warehouse in lieu of rent for the next two years. Since taking possession of the Noisette development in 2010, Public Railways has continued to invest in infrastructure and improvements to help spur additional economic development activity on the base.
Water Missions International (www.watermissions.org) was founded in 2001 by the Greene family of Charleston. Their mission is to be the best in class Christian engineering ministry that transforms lives through sustainable safe water solutions. Public Railways entered into a similar partnership last year to provide rent-free housing to homeless veterans as they battle drug and alcohol addiction.
Public Railways (www.scontrack.com) – established in 1969 – is a division of the South Carolina Department of Commerce and operates three common carrier railroads in our state. SCPR’s mission is to provide safe, efficient, and cost-effective rail solutions to facilitate the movement of freight and support economic development efforts; thereby, promoting the economic viability of the State of South Carolina. Public Railways also provides technical assistance and consulting services in railroad matters to state, local and municipal governments.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow. Commerce won the Gold Shovel Award and the Project of Year Award from Area Development magazine in 2012. Commerce has been part of recruiting world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgestone, Continental, Monster.com, Heinz, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. Commerce also supports small and existing business, rural development initiatives and offers grants for community development. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.
