COLUMBIA: Though the port in Charleston is 100 miles from Columbia, its impact is still very big in the Midlands, according to a new study.
University of South Carolina Research Economist Dr. Joseph Von Nessen found that the Midlands accounts for 25% of the state port authority’s impact.
“In Columbia we see more of a volume perspective, we see a lot of small businesses using the port and when it aggregates up, we see this major impact of close to $14 billion a year.” said Dr. Von Nessen.
Dr. Von Nessen presented the findings at the Michelin Plant in Lexington. South Carolina Port Authority President and CEO Jim Newsome says despite being inland, one out of every 12 jobs in the midlands is affected by the ports.
“We think that’s pretty consistent throughout the state and that’s why we’re a state port. We’re not just the port of Charleston, we’re South Carolina ports,” said Newsome. “We have impact across the state and I think the state is set up to be very successful because businesses want to locate in the global sourcing and global manufacturing near ports.”
Gwen Rawls, who owns Gwen Rawls Italian Shoes in the Trenholm Plaza in Columbia, has been helping women in the Midlands find the perfect shoe. Rows of heels and boots from Italy and Portugal line the shelves of her store, and Rawls says the best way to get them is by boat.
“I couldn’t imagine not having the port here in Charleston because if I had to get my goods from New York or from Florida it would be way too costly for me,” Rawls said. “I’m a small business, and as a small business owner I have very limited resources as it relates to employees.”
She says it’s much more cost effective for small businesses to place orders to be brought in by container rather than by plane or truck. Once the ship docks, she says it’s a quick process from the boat to the store.
