Where’s The Plan? BAF-SC Joins Ports Officials to Seek Answers

Mayor Riley, State Senator Grooms, Ports, Chamber & Manufacturing Officials Hold Meeting and Press Conference at Port of Charleston 

CHARLESTON, SC – December 14, 2011 – As presidential candidates continue to visit the state seeking votes, members of the Building America’s Future South Carolina Chapter (BAF-SC) are urging them to articulate their plan to modernize the nation’s infrastructure system, including the Port of Charleston.  BAF-SC members held a joint press conference with officials from the South Carolina Ports Authority today after meeting to discuss the port and the need for candidates to state their views on infrastructure.

“We are here to support reform measures and a robust long-term infrastructure package that will generate economic growth locally and make us more competitive globally,” said Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, a BAF-SC Steering Committee Member.  “I am proud of the work our Port has undertaken to remain competitive and I’m proud of the work we’ve been doing here in Charleston.  But the time for a long-term national plan has come; federal policymakers from both parties need to make this a priority.”

The group announced a collective call to presidential candidates that focused on three key priorities they would like to see addressed, including:

• Infrastructure policy must be ACCOUNTABLE: For a number of years, money meant for the Harbor Maintenance Fund has not been used for its intended purposes.  This fund was created for the sole reason of making repairs and updates to the port.  The presidential candidates need to address the use of this fund.
• Infrastructure policy must MODERNIZE: The expansion of the Panama Canal currently underway will direct more mega-ships from Asia directly to the Port of Charleston—but only if it is deep enough to accommodate the new supertankers.  The presidential candidates should state their position on preparing the Port of Charleston for ships when the deepening and widening of the Panama Canal is complete.
• Infrastructure policy must focus on the broader Statewide/Nationwide Impact: The Port of Charleston provides jobs and an economic boost, not only to the Lowcountry but also to the entire state. Without a strategic and integrated infrastructure plan that includes roads, bridges, rail and other priorities, the port suffers, the state suffers and the nation suffers.

“This port is a vital part of South Carolina’s infrastructure network, creating thousands of jobs and servicing the entire country,” said Jim Newsome, President & CEO, SC State Ports Authority.  “We greatly appreciate the work BAF is doing in South Carolina and for bringing focus to this important issue.”

In addition to Riley and Newsome, participants included BAF-SC members, John Hassell, President of the Maritime Association of SC and Stuart Whiteside, Chairman-elect, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and State Senator Larry Grooms.

“For over a year, candidates have been coming to South Carolina asking what issues matter to the Palmetto State.  We are here to emphasize that our rail system, highways and bridges – all the infrastructure required to move commerce to and from our port – must be addressed as we make that decision,” said State Senator Larry Grooms, BAF-SC Coalition Member.

The BAF-SC Steering Committee includes state legislators, city officials and business executives who have joined together in an effort to help advance South Carolina by mending the state’s crippled infrastructure.  For more information on BAF-SC, please visit www.BAFuture.org/sc.