Inland Port Greer expansion complete, ready to meet market demands 

South Carolina Ports marked the completion of a $55 million expansion project at Inland Port Greer on Wednesday, strengthening the port’s statewide intermodal capabilities and connectivity from the Port of Charleston to inland markets.

Upgrades include an expanded container yard to increase cargo capacity by 50%, 9,000 feet of additional rail to quickly handle longer trains, an expanded chassis lot, and new terminal operations and maintenance buildings.

With these enhancements, Inland Port Greer can handle 300,000 rail lifts annually and meet projected customer demand through 2040.

“This critical project not only supports the needs of our existing customers, but also positions the region to attract more cargo and new business,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “South Carolina is among the states with the fastest-growing population and GDP in the nation, and SC Ports stands ready with ample capacity and infrastructure to meet the growing demand for reliable port service.”

Customer demand drove the need for an expanded footprint. Inland Port Greer saw 355% cargo growth from 2014 to 2024, representing an average annual growth rate of 16%.

“We have seen tremendous growth at Inland Port Greer since operations began, and this expansion and investment will allow us to continue providing excellent service as our customers grow,” Melvin said.

The project was funded in part by a $25 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant awarded by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) in 2018. SC Ports received $13.75 million of the grant, which was administered by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT).

SC Ports, SCDOT, Norfolk Southern, and BMW partnered together for the grant application.

“We are grateful for the support of our Congressional delegation, state leaders, USDOT and SCDOT,” Melvin said. “Their continued recognition of SC Ports as an economic driver for South Carolina and the broader Southeast allows us to make bold investments that keep our state competitive.”

The completion of the Inland Port Greer expansion comes as SC Ports prepares to bring the Navy Base Intermodal Facility (NBIF) online later in 2025, enhancing South Carolina’s rail access to key markets like Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville, Louisville and beyond.

Inland Port Greer’s strategic location along the I-85 corridor between Atlanta and Charlotte allows cargo to efficiently move between the Port of Charleston and inland population centers, with Norfolk Southern providing daily rail service.