CHARLESTON, SC - January 8, 2019 - South Carolina Ports Authority is pleased to announce new infrastructure supporting agriculture export growth with the opening of C&M Hog Farm's transload facility, which handles soybeans and other local products bound for overseas markets via Inland Port Dillon.
"The expansion of C&M is exciting news that reflects the benefits of Inland Port Dillon for farming and agricultural business across the Carolinas," said SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome. "We look forward to continuing to play a strong role in the addition of jobs and economic development activity in the region."
Demand for facilities to transload North and South Carolina agriculture products ranging from soybeans to grains, peanuts and animal feeds has increased significantly since the opening of Inland Port Dillon in April 2018. In addition to next-day rail service to and from SCPA's marine terminals, Inland Port Dillon provides local access to empty containers and the added cost benefit of a round-trip pipeline for loaded containers.
"As South Carolina's leading industry, agriculture is a direct beneficiary of Inland Port Dillon," said South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. "C&M is a great example of how the Inland Port is creating new opportunities of growth for our state's farmers. And as we continue growing our agribusiness industry, I know Inland Port Dillon will continually be vital to future expansion opportunities."
"Our family farm has been serving the local farming community for many years," said Richard Myers, who co-operates C&M Hog Farm with Leslie Thompson. "We are proud to expand our business operations in order to provide farmers with a new, competitive access point to the global marketplace as well as bring new jobs to Dillon County."
Established in 1987, C&M is an independent hog farm, local grain elevator and trucking company located in Latta, South Carolina.
About South Carolina Ports Authority
South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA), established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 187,200 statewide jobs and generate nearly $53 billion annual economic activity. SCPA is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet, and the Port is an industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. For more information on SCPA, please visit www.scspa.com.