South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) on March 26 announced the completion of a $55 million expansion project at Inland Port Greer, “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, which is located on Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Charlotte District, running between Greenville, S.C., and Linwood, N.C., on the Class I’s Coastal Division, can handle 300,000 rail lifts annually and meet projected customer demand through 2040, according to SC Ports.
“This critical project not only supports the needs of our existing customers but also positions the region to attract more cargo and new business,” said SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin. “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, SC Ports noted. 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 U.S. 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.
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.
“Inland Port Greer is an essential hub in our intermodal network, providing our customers—from advanced manufacturers to major retailers—with fast, reliable, and sustainable access between the Port of Charleston and inland markets,” said NS Vice President, Intermodal & Automotive Marketing Shawn Tureman. “This expansion enhances the infrastructure needed to meet rising demand while supporting more environmentally efficient freight movement. It also reflects the strength of our partnership with SC Ports. Together, we’re building a more connected, more resilient supply chain that drives economic growth across the Southeast.”
Inland Port Greer moves goods for advanced manufacturers, mega retailers, and consumer goods industries across the Southeast. Many of these companies have invested in Upstate operations to take advantage of the inland port, according to SC Ports, which generates a $44 billion economic impact in the Upstate each year, with port operations directly and indirectly supporting 132,000 jobs in the region.