A Hub of Plenty-

Road improvements are essential to the successful development of

South Carolina’s Global Logistics Triangle 

By: Gregg Robinson

 The recent announcement by the Dubai-based Jafza International to build a logistics “megahub” in Orangeburg County has been all over the news in recent months. But insiders know this milestone is not completely new or unexpected. The deal has been percolating, from vision to reality, for nearly a decade.

 This is just a very condensed history, but the first individuals to see solid potential in the rural, economically challenged area include:  Congressman Jim Clyburn, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, state Sens. John Matthews and Brad Hutto and members of the legislative delegation, members of the Orangeburg County Council, leaders of the Orangeburg County Development Commission (OCDC), and, of course, Orangeburg businessman Jim Roquemore, CEO of Patten Seed Co.

Several years ago, these visionaries dubbed the area the “Global Logistics Triangle” (I-95, US-301 & I-26) and consistently marketed this area as a “Premier Logistics and Transportation Corridor” in the Southeast.

Roquemore eventually purchased the farm land in a partnership, and the land ended up being optioned by Lucy Duncan-Scheman, whose company, CaroLinks, in 2005 proposed to develop a sizable inland port/logistics hub facility on the site.

This is the point when most of the general public first heard of the proposed development, primarily because of issues that included some discontent with plans to transport freight from Charleston via the Cooper River and the Santee lake system. At the end of the day, Duncan-Scheman, a savvy matchmaker, introduced the OCDC to Jafza.

For about nine months, Jafza conducted its due diligence on the I-95/Santee site as well as numerous sites throughout the country. Finally, in October 2007, Jafza purchased multiple land tracts totaling 1,324 acres. As a result, there exists the potential for thousands of jobs to materialize over the next decade as distribution and manufacturing projects locate within the proposed site. Jafza has more than 5,000 customers in its global network of logistics centers. As companies identify and target the United States, the Jafza property will provide an immediate proven location.

It makes perfect sense. Orangeburg County is geographically blessed as a transportation hub served by two major interstates, I-26 and I-95, and by eight U.S. highways. In addition, Orangeburg County is within 30 minutes of I-77 and I-20 and serves more than 100 industries representing 11 countries.

The Jafza site in Orangeburg County already has rail, water, sewer, gas, and electrical infrastructures in place. Jafza Managing Director Chuck Heath is responsive to community concerns about preserving the natural amenities and recreational assets adjacent to the site. He said the company would work with local and state officials to ensure that any growth resulting from the deal would be controlled and sustainable. The site is relatively distant from heavily populated areas and features natural wooded buffers and green spaces to reduce its impact.

We are thrilled about this development and what it means for Orangeburg, the I-95 corridor, and the entire state of South Carolina. A hub of this nature will serve importing and exporting industries statewide. It will provide needed jobs and spin-off businesses to serve the expanding economic base.

Jafza’s experience and success are evident in its Jebel Ali Free Zone, a logistics and distribution center the company constructed on 35,000 acres of rural desert land in the emirate of Dubai. The center has triggered nearly a dozen mini-cities and generated greater wealth and prosperity for the people living there.

We can see similar economic growth ripples occurring throughout Orangeburg and across the state as a result of this project. It really can happen, but a piece of the puzzle is missing, the one piece that could be the catalyst for bringing the vision to fruition — a new interchange at I-95 and U.S. 301. Such an interchange is needed to better mitigate growing traffic congestion on I-95 and I-26.

Establishing this needed highway improvement will require county, state, and federal commitments. An improved interchange will divert traffic, creating an ideal location for distribution centers and transportation-related businesses while sparking other economic development and job growth. Orangeburg County is proud to be the home of South Carolina’s Global Logistics Triangle and welcomes its newest international asset.

Robinson is executive director of the Orangeburg County Development Commission.

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