Exciting Developments in North Charleston: Shipyard Creek Logistics Center Set to Open
North Charleston is buzzing with excitement! The long-awaited Shipyard Creek Logistics Center is gearing up to kick off operations, and residents can look forward to some impressive changes coming to their city. Situated right next to the Port of Charleston’s Leatherman Terminal, this project represents a significant push toward enhancing logistics and transportation in our area.
Sneak Peek at the First Phase
Atlanta-based Capital Development Corp. has officially completed the first phase of the project, and according to their latest update, the first transload warehouse will be ready for business this fall. This state-of-the-art facility will be 160,250 square feet and is located on the east side of the site along a newly created road named Sewanee Road. While they haven’t announced a specific tenant yet, experts believe it will likely be leased to a retail business or a third-party logistics firm.
For those who may be unfamiliar, a transload warehouse is designed to receive cargo on one side, package it, and then load it onto trucks from the other side. This particular facility aims for a capacity to handle between 40,000 to 50,000 containers each year, which is just incredible for the local economy.
More Space for Refrigerated Goods
But that’s not all! Another exciting announcement came from East Coast Warehouse & Distribution, based in Elizabeth, New Jersey, which has decided to join the Shipyard Creek expansion. This company will occupy a second warehouse and distribution center that’s being constructed on the west side of the project, taking up about 27 acres.
The new facility will be a massive 259,200-square-foot temperature-controlled building and will serve as a hub for refrigerated goods. This is fantastic news, especially for anyone involved in the food supply chain. As CEO Jamie Overley mentions, this warehouse will help the company expand its footprint and improve productivity, which ultimately translates to better service for customers in the greater Charleston area.
Investments and Job Creation
East Coast Warehouse is backing this big move with an impressive $14.5 million investment, which will also lead to the creation of about 52 new jobs for the community. Stay tuned because their new building, which will feature a U.S. government inspection center, is set to be ready by next summer!
A Comprehensive Investment for the Future
In total, capital development is investing a staggering $175 million in the Shipyard Creek project. Along with the warehouses, the project includes essential features like employee and truck parking spaces, as well as areas for trailer storage. The CEO of Capital Development, John Knox Porter, noted that this is one of the most significant infrastructure investments on the East Coast, positioning Charleston as a top player in logistics.
Connecting to Local Roads
One of the amazing advantages of the Shipyard Creek Logistics Center is its direct access to the Port Access Road, which links Interstate 26 to the Leatherman Terminal. This strategic positioning is expected to boost supply-chain fluidity for importers and exporters in a growing Southeast market. Barbara Melvin, president and CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority, emphasized that this center will add immense new capabilities and capacity to the local market.
A Bright Future Ahead
It’s remarkable to see how far the Shipyard Creek location has come. Once home to a factory that produced ferrochromium back in the day, the site faced several challenges, including environmental contamination. Thankfully, extensive cleanup efforts have made it suitable for commercial and industrial uses, paving the way for this exciting logistics hub.
As North Charleston gears up for these major developments, residents can look forward to how this investment will not only enhance logistics capabilities but also create new job opportunities and ultimately strengthen our economy. It appears we’re just at the start of a thrilling chapter in North Charleston, and we can’t wait to see what the future has in store!
