REPORT: SOUTH CAROLINA PORTS HAVE $23 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT

REPORT: SOUTH CAROLINA PORTS HAVE $23 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT    The ports of South Carolina had a total economic impact on the state of $23 billion in 2002, according to a study by the Center for Economic Forecasting at Charleston Southern University.
   The ports create about 281,660 jobs paying $9.4 billion, along with $2.5 billion in state and local taxes, the study said.
   The study was conducted to provide a measure of the South Carolina State Ports Authority’s economic role in the state.
   To measure the ports authority’s positive impact, it was assumed that the port ceased operations at the end of 2002. So that a true census was undertaken, the survey instrument was provided to all port users (companies importing and exporting) and port industry firms (primarily waterfront companies providing transportation services, such as ocean carriers, motor carriers and others).