BOC adopts resolution against Inland Port

Photo of Appalachian Regional Port (Musco Lighting photo)

On Wednesday, January 20, Henry County commissioners adopted a resolution opposing the development of an inland port in the county. The item was added to the agenda at the start of the meeting.

Lee Beckman, manager of Governmental Affairs at the Georgia Ports Authority, shared in a presentation to the board the state has no plans to build an inland port in Henry County. “I understand there’s been a rumor going around that we are, and I wanted to make sure I nip that in the bud,” he added.

Georgia Inland Ports

The Georgia Ports Authority operates one existing inland port — Appalachian Regional Port in Murray County (pictured) — with plans for two more locations. The additional planned facilities will be in Gainesville and west central Georgia. The west central Georgia location, though not finalized, aims to support the KIA automotive plant in West Point.

Inland ports allow for the transfer of cargo containers between rail and truck. This reduces truck trips across the state. For example, a container offloaded at the ARP inland port saves a tractor-trailer 710 miles round trip between Savannah and Crandall.

GPA addressed once before in fall 2019 the topic of an inland port coming to Henry County. In a statement at the time by Stacey Watson, director of economic and industrial development, the ports authority referenced the three planned sites and stated “there are no other plans for additional inland ports in Henry County or any other area in the state.”

Board Resolution

The resolution adopted by the BOC states their “non-support” for an inland port within Henry County. It continues the board opposes the rezoning of property for an inland port or the issuance of building permits. The resolution was read aloud during the board meeting. A copy of it has not been uploaded to the county website at press time.

The item passed unanimously without discussion.

Credit for the featured image to Musco Lighting.

About Clayton 1738 Articles
Clayton Carte is the founder and owner of The Henry Reporter. He founded the site in 2017 to highlight transportation projects. Over time, he began covering other topics like new development so residents can best know what’s happening in our community.

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