Governors Perdue, Sanford Appoint Bi-State Port Task Force Members

Press Release

Perdue announces Georgia DOT has initiated process to have Corps of Engineers release or modify easements

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford today announced the six members appointed to the task force that will develop the joint proposal for a port in Jasper County, S.C., that would be owned, developed and operated by the two states.

Governor Perdue appointed his Chief Operating Officer Jim Lientz, State Sen. Jack Hill and former CEO of Acuity Brands Jim Balloun to fill Georgia's three spots on the task force. Governor Sanford selected his Chief of Staff Tom Davis, Ports Authority Chairman Bill Stern, and former Ports Authority Chairman Bill Bethea as South Carolina's representatives.

Governor Sanford has also named an additional group of three advisory members to provide input and expertise during the process of drafting the bi-state compact. These advisory members are Gayle Averyt of Columbia, former Chairman of Colonial Life Insurance; Jim Micali of Greenville, Chairman and President of Michelin North America; and David Maybank III of Charleston, president of Maybank Properties, LLC. Governor Perdue also said members of Georgia's business, financial and maritime communities will be called upon to advise the Governor and the task force as the need arises.

Governor Perdue also announced today that the Georgia Department of Transportation has petitioned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release or modify the easements on the Jasper County property and begin the process of finding alternate sites to dispose of spoils from the Savannah River. EDITOR'S NOTE: Click here for a copy of the letter. .

"I look forward to the great work this task force will perform on behalf of our two states," said Governor Perdue. "I am hopeful that these appointments, and the easement request by the Georgia DOT, show that we are committed to this process."

"Today's announcements are an important step for both states as we continue down this cooperative path," Gov. Sanford said. "Putting this committee together and the fact that Georgia has already made its easement release request both show that our respective states are committed to the idea of getting this port built sooner rather than later."

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