Inland Port Greer Expansion Progressing to Meet Market Demands

(SC Ports has expanded its container yard at Inland Port Greer to handle customers’ growth. Photo/Meade/SC Ports.)

South Carolina Ports is enhancing its intermodal connections in South Carolina with the ongoing expansion of Inland Port Greer and construction of the Navy Base Intermodal Facility.

SC Ports is investing to expand Inland Port Greer with more cargo and rail capabilities to support customers’ growth in the Upstate and beyond, giving shippers direct access to the Port of Charleston.

“Having this rail connection to the No. 8 container port in the country is a tremendous benefit for port-dependent businesses, and we continue to invest in our operations to deliver excellent service to our customers and for our state,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said.

As of Dec. 17, 2024, more than 9,000 feet of new rail had been placed to accommodate longer trains carrying more cargo.

The container yard has been expanded to the east and west, doubling the cargo capacity. With these enhancements, Inland Port Greer can handle 300,000 rail lifts annually, ports officials say.

Two new rubber-tired hybrid gantry cranes, which arrived in the fall, are completing commissioning, and will move containers around the newly expanded container yard.

Work is ongoing to expand the chassis yard and construct the new operations and maintenance buildings. The expansion is on track for completion in late spring.

The rail-served inland port is strategically located along Interstate 85 between Charlotte and Atlanta, supporting businesses throughout the Upstate and beyond.

Norfolk Southern provides daily rail service to the Port of Charleston.

SC Ports is also significantly expanding rail capabilities at the Port of Charleston. With $400 million in state funding, the Navy Base Intermodal Facility is taking shape on a 118-acre site in North Charleston near Leatherman Terminal.

The Navy Base Intermodal Facility will move cargo between the Port of Charleston and inland ports, and to key markets like Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville, Louisville and beyond.

Bojangles Foundation Invests $47,000 to Boost Literacy and Empower Communities Across 11 States, including SC

As part of its ongoing commitment to fostering education and literacy, The Bojangles Foundation announced the 47 winners of its annual literacy grant program.

This year’s recipients, representing diverse nonprofits and community organizations dedicated to advancing reading and learning, each received a $1,000 grant to support their impactful literacy initiatives.

The Bojangles Foundation awarded grants to deserving nonprofits and organizations in 11 states, including California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, reinforcing its dedication to promoting literacy and empowering communities across its footprint.

South Carolina grant recipients include:

* Original Six Foundation

City:  Columbia

Purpose of Grant:  My First Library Program

* Associated Charities

City:  Myrtle Beach

Purpose of Grant:  Literacy Bags for Children

*Winthrop University

City:  Rock Hill

Purpose of Grant:  Reach out and Read - Pediatric Care Well Visits

*POY Entertainment

City:  York

Purpose of Grant:  Community Development.

Officials said the funding will enable these organizations to enhance reading programs, provide critical educational resources and create opportunities for students and learners of all ages to thrive.

Each grant recipient is using the funds to bring innovative literacy tools to their communities.

Projects include book vending machines for children, literacy bags with educational resources and reading corners stocked in public spaces.

Literacy programs for underserved groups, like resources for pediatric cancer patients and children with Down syndrome, provide essential, tailored support.

Other initiatives include financial education programs for students and workshops for educators. From hammock reading gardens to civic literacy programs, each project inspires a lasting love for reading and learning.

“Empowering organizations that are making a lasting difference through literacy and education is truly at the heart of what we do," said Ken Reynolds, executive director of The Bojangles Foundation.

Reynolds added, “At Bojangles, we believe that access to education isn’t just a resource— it’s a pathway to stronger communities and brighter futures. We are proud to support initiatives that foster learning, ignite potential and create opportunities for individuals and families to thrive.”

The Bojangles Foundation Fund was established in July 2022 to support the three pillars of Bojangles’ corporate social responsibility plan: literacy, military appreciation and strengthening community.

The fund is a component of Foundation For The Carolinas, which manages competitive grant programs that invest in communities throughout the region.

First Community Names Donley to Executive Leadership Position

First Community said Sarah Donley has been named executive vice president and chief operations and risk officer.

Donley succeeds retiring Tanya Butts who served in that role since 2016.

Donley joined First Community in 1997 and most recently served as controller.

As chief operations and risk officer, Donley will be responsible for electronic banking, deposit operations, loan operations, IT, information security, vendor management, audit, compliance, financial crimes (CFT/AML), fraud, facilities, and physical security.

She has more than 35 years of banking experience, including 27 with First Community Bank, which serves customers in the Midlands, Aiken, Upstate and Piedmont regions of South Carolina as well as Augusta, Georgia. 

A native of Moorestown, New Jersey, Donley earned a bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in business administration and psychology from Wittenberg University and is a CPA.

Donley is also a graduate of the First Community Bank Leadership Institute, and has served as a volunteer or financial supporter of local organizations including Midlands Reading Consortium, Sole Stepping, and Palmetto Place.

Restaurant Week South Carolina, an 11-Day Culinary Celebration, Returns

The tastiest time of the year begins Thursday, Jan. 9.

Food lovers will want to claim a spot at the table as Restaurant Week South Carolina makes its return January 9-19.

Officials say the 11-day culinary celebration promises to be the best one yet, with more than 200 eateries signed on to bring foodies delightful culinary experiences across the state. 

From casual settings to high-end dining, participating restaurants will feature new dishes, along with fan favorites, and offer multi-course menus during Restaurant Week. 

Officials say Restaurant Week South Carolina is a win-win for diners and the local economy. Officials say this celebration gives patrons the opportunity to enjoy meals, while also giving restaurants a boost in exposure and revenue. 

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