For nearly four decades Jimmy Moore of Georgetown worked to bring better jobs and economic opportunities to South Carolina - today his efforts were recognized in a ceremony dedicating the Port of Georgetown to him.
"With all of his skills, he used the God-given asset of Winyah Bay to attract jobs for the people of Georgetown," said Edgar A. Buck, chairman of the South Carolina State Ports Authority. "To me he is a wise leader, a mover of projects, a savvy businessman and a gifted reader of the political tea leaves."
Jack Scoville, a Georgetown attorney and currently the South Carolina State Ports Authority's Board secretary, suggested the honor for Mr. Moore as a way of paying tribute to a force for good in Georgetown and across South Carolina. "Jimmy's contributions certainly deserve notice," said Scoville.
In 1961, Mr. Moore accepted an invitation from then governor Fritz Hollings to serve on the State Ports Authority's Board and resigned his post with the State Development Board. Over the next 35 years he would serve as treasurer, vice chairman and chairman.
In a letter to Mr. Moore, Senator Hollings said, "I'm not surprised that the port is being dedicated in his honor. Quite frankly, I'd be surprised if it wasn't. Thousands of Georgetown County residents have him to thank for reliable, good-paying jobs."
Mr. Moore started his legal career in the law office of Herbert Smith, the first Georgetown resident to be named to the Ports Authority Board. The two shared their desire to bring prosperity to Georgetown through the Port.
Over the years, Mr. Moore worked to build port business in Georgetown, through employers such as Georgetown Steel, Hess Oil, International Paper, Akzo Salt and Holnam Cement. He also successfully worked toward $3 million in capital improvements to the Port of Georgetown in the mid-1980s. Since 1989, port business in Georgetown has doubled.
In 2000, 114 ships docked in Georgetown during the year, carrying more than 1.79 million tons of forest products, salt, cement and steel for local industries. This was an increase of more than 18% compared to the previous year, when the port moved 1.52 million?tons. For the year, ship traffic was up 8% from 106 in the previous year, while barge traffic slipped 8% to 260 barges.
In August the Ports Authority Board passed a resolution noting Mr. Moore's dedication to both the state and to the Georgetown port.