August 3 - The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), Murray County, the Governor of Georgia and CSX Transportation have signed an agreement regarding the establishment of the Appalachian Regional Port in Chatsworth, Georgia, USA.

The new inland port's service area will include North Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and parts of Kentucky, said the GPA, which will operate the Appalachian Regional Port.

"This new inland terminal will open the door for economic opportunity and job creation for northwest Georgia and the region," said Georgia's governor, Nathan Deal. "By providing a direct link to the Port of Savannah, the Appalachian Regional Port will create and expand international markets for businesses, and further the economic success of the Southeastern US."

Clarence Gooden, executive vice president and chief commercial officer of CSX, added: "The public-private partnership established today, which includes direct rail access to the new inland port, will expand access for domestic and international shippers, providing increased options for cost-effective, environmentally friendly transportation services.

The Appalachian Regional Port will be Georgia's second facility of this kind, after an agreement was signed for the Cordele Inland Port in 2013.

The new inland port, which will handle import, export and domestic cargo, features on-terminal rail, is adjacent to U.S. 411 and has easy access to Interstate 75. It is expected to open by 2018.

 

Seated from left to right: CSX executive vice president, Clarence Gooden; Georgia speaker of the house, David Ralston; Governor of Georgia, Nathan Deal; Murray County commissioner Brittany Pittman; and GPA executive director Curtis Foltz.

 

www.gaports.com