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SC Ports awarded $21.68 million BUILD grant for Ridgeville site

[ September 18, 2020   //   ]

South Carolina Ports Authority was awarded a $21.68 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to assist with building infrastructure at the Ridgeville Commerce Park.
The funding comes from the DOT’s Fiscal Year 20 Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants. The Trump Administrated awarded $1 billion in BUILD grants to repair, rebuild, and revitalize transportation systems in the U.S.
SC Ports’ BUILD grant will be used for the both on-site and off-site improvements to the port-owned Ridgeville Commerce Park. This work is vital to the future development of Walmart’s 3-million square foot import distribution center – set to break ground in March — as well as for future site tenants.
On-site improvements include building a two-mile industrial access road, as well as a 20-acre truck chassis and empty container storage yard. Off-site improvements include widening S.C. Highway 27 to provide improved access and traffic fluidity between the project site and Interstate 26.
Walmart is the first tenant in the Ridgeville Commerce Park. The global retailer plans to build a direct import distribution center to supply several regional distribution centers, supporting approximately 850 Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs across South Carolina and beyond. Walmart’s $220 million investment in Dorchester County will create 1,000 full-time jobs and boost port volumes by 5%.
“The importance of this $21.68 million BUILD grant cannot be overstated,” SC Ports President and CEO Jim Newsome said. “These improvements are crucial to the development of Walmart’s new distribution center in Dorchester County. Walmart is known for its supply chain innovation and performance and having this world-class company here is the ultimate vote of confidence in SC Ports and in South Carolina. We are grateful to all our partners who worked so hard to secure this vital funding in support of this project, as well as for future growth at the site.”

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