Millard Refrigerated Services locating new facility in North Charleston

Millard Refrigerated Services today announced plans to develop and operate a new cold storage distribution facility in North Charleston. The $42 million investment is expected to generate 87 new jobs.

“The team at Millard is excited about the business opportunities with our new operation in Charleston County. The facility will give us access to the world-class port in Charleston and provide an efficient hub for our customers along the East Coast and throughout the Southeast. We look forward to getting our new facility up and running, and appreciate the support we’ve received from state and local officials,” said Lance Larsen, president and CEO of Millard Refrigerated Services.

Millard Refrigerated Services will construct a state-of-the-art cold storage facility in the Palmetto Commerce Park, located at 7748 Palmetto Commerce Parkway, North Charleston. The company will use the facility to freeze and store poultry, pork and beef products that will be exported to foreign markets.

“We celebrate Millard Refrigerated Services decision to put down roots in South Carolina with a $42 million investment that will create 87 new jobs in North Charleston. We are working hard every day to attract investments like this one from companies across the nation and around the globe. We appreciate Millard’s decision to join the Palmetto State’s business community,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

Millard Refrigerated Services expects to begin work on the building in the spring of 2013, and start operations by 2014.

“Distribution and logistics companies are increasingly coming to understand that South Carolina is just right for their operations. Being centrally located between Miami and New York City, having solid infrastructure and one of the busiest ports on the East Coast makes the Palmetto State ideal for reaching customers and markets,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

“Our heartiest of congratulations go out today to Millard Refrigerated Services,” said Charleston County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor. “Millard fills a void in our region’s intermodal transportation offerings, and their capabilities will help our efforts to recruit many other industry sectors. We believe that our world-class port, excellent workforce, and pro-business environment will ensure that their new venture will be a highly successful and profitable one. We think the future here is very bright for both the company and our citizens.”

“Millard Refrigerated Services is a welcomed addition to the growing list of world-class businesses to locate within the City of North Charleston along Palmetto Commerce Parkway,” said North Charleston Mayor Keith Summery. “It is our commitment to Millard to remain a business friendly community and a location for all of our businesses to flourish.”

“As one of the nation’s top refrigeration and logistics services providers, Millard will be a tremendous asset to the Charleston region,” said Wayne Hall, Charleston Regional Development Alliance Board chairman. “The Port of Charleston and our business friendly climate are critical factors in Millard’s decision to locate here, and we’re glad they have.”

Last year, South Carolina’s exports jumped more than 21 percent to $24.6 billion in goods sold to 198 countries around the world.

“The port community welcomes Millard to the area, as their presence will mean increased activity through the Port of Charleston’s container facilities,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority. “Exports of refrigerated cargo have continued to rise, and these heavy exports must find their way to ports with deep-water capabilities, like Charleston. We congratulate Secretary Hitt and Commerce’s partners for bringing Millard to South Carolina.”

The company will begin hiring for the new positions in mid-2013. Anyone interested in job opportunities with the company should visit the careers section of Millard website (www.millardref.com).

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a set aside grant of $3.75 million.

About Millard Refrigerated Services
Millard Refrigerated Services was founded in 1963, in Omaha, NE. The company remains family owned and operated. Millard currently serves all of North America through the operation of 36 regional facilities, and is the second-largest refrigerated warehouse and distribution company in the United States. In addition to cold storage warehousing and transportation, Millard provides clients with a wide variety of other value-added services including High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP), logistics support and import/export assistance. To learn more about Millard’s full line of value added services, please visit www.millardref.com or call 402-896-6600.

North Charleston to take further legal action to halt northern rail access

On May 17, 2011, the City of North Charleston sent a Notice and Draft Complaint to various state and federal officials to precede the filing of a lawsuit in federal court over the ongoing rail issue. Unless a resolution that is not detrimental to the citizens of North Charleston can be reached, a lawsuit will be officially filed in 60 days.

Full Notice and Draft Complaint

News coverage

Post and Courier
North Charleston to sue over rail line plan
North Charleston gives notice: Clock ticking on plan to sue over rail issue
Charleston Regional Business Journal
City lawsuit to challenge memorandum with state
WCIV ABC News 4
City plans to file suit in rail argument
WCBD NBC News 2
SC City Says it Will Sue if Rail Terminal Proceeds
Businessweek
SC city says it will sue if rail terminal proceeds

Details of the North Charleston Rail Plan

On Thursday, July 8, 2010, North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey publicly presented a three-party Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Agreement between the City of North Charleston, CSX Transportation, and Shipyard Creek Associates, LLC to address the ongoing rail issues surrounding the former Charleston Naval Base and the southern portions of the City.  City Council unanimously agreed to move the MOU forward to Committee of the Whole for additional discussion. Pending City Council's approval, final adoption would be later in August.

Download the full MOU and Agreement here. (Synopsis below)

Slides from Mayor Summey's presentation

The City long ago announced its intention to see Northern rail service to the Navy Base terminated in favor of a new Southern route.  After years of effort, the City of North Charleston has been able to reach an agreement with Shipyard Creek Associates, LLC, and CSX Transportation that would, if seen to fruition, make this a reality.  The MOU and agreement sets forth a long-term, multi-year plan by which CSX Transportation would abandon its rights of way beginning at a mutually-agreed upon location between Clement Avenue and Viaduct Road and extending Northward to just North of the intersection of Braddock Road.  CSX Transportation will discontinue its rail operation over the old routes in favor of a new Southern access route and rail yard.  The new rail yard would not be permitted to operate prior to abandonment of the old lines.

In support of the outlined plan, the City may contribute certain city-owned property and assist CSX Transportation in acquiring other property for use in the Southern access route.  In addition, the City would commit to use TIF money (if available) to purchase from CSX Transportation the rights of way associated with certain portions of CSX Transportation’s old line locations.  The anticipated cost of the City’s purchase obligations would be between $3 and $5 million dollars.  Additional project funding would come from federal grants sought by the developer.  In the event that the TIF and/or federal grants do not generate sufficient funds then the parties would have the option, but not obligation, to contribute other sources of revenue later.

It is important to note that CSX Transportation’s obligations are subject to several contingencies.  One of the more notable of these is funding.  The proposed plan is heavily dependent upon federal grant financing and the existence of sufficient property tax revenues to permit bonding against City TIF districts.  Another is that CSX Transportation must be up and running on the newly-established lines before it would relinquish any rights to the pre existing lines.  Obstacles to the project, whether they are from lawsuit, funding, governmental regulation, or other sources, could mean that the project may have to be abandoned.  If the project failed then any land or TIF money the City previous contributed would be returned to it to the fullest possible extent.  If the project is successful, the City will have succeeded in relocating rail access to the Base and new SPA terminal from the North to the South, thus improving the quality of life within some of North Charleston’s oldest neighborhoods.

City of North Charleston MOU Synopsis

The MOU between the City of North Charleston, CSX and Shipyard Creek Associates can be broken down into three key components which are outlined below.  This document is a win-win for the community, the City and the railroad because they all will be able to see the fulfillment of some of their long-range goals.  This MOU honors and further advances the existing MOU between the City and the State by routing rail out the southern end of the City as opposed to the northern end of the Navy Base through residential neighborhoods.

1. Abandonment of the Rail Along Spruill Avenue

• CSX would abandon through Rails to Trails or by deeding to the City the property the rail occupies along Spruill from approximately Braddock to approximately Viaduct.
• The total acreage that the City will receive is 32+/- acres.
• The City Comprehensive Plan, LAMC Plan and the Noisette Plan all call for the removal of this rail to allow Park Circle, Olde North Charleston, Century Oaks, Horizon Village, Noisette, Union Heights and Chicora-Cherokee neighborhoods to be re-knitted back together.
• No rail would come through Chicora-Cherokee and rail would be shifted out of the Park Circle area.
• Potential for a greenway for pedestrian and bicycle connection to Downtown Charleston.

2. Redevelopment of the Stromboli Corridor

• Through federal grants the City will purchase 40+/- acres of industrial land along the Stromboli Corridor.
• Area has been targeted by LAMC as a redevelopment area to re-knit Union Heights, Windsor Place, Chicora Cherokee and Jacksonville Road Area.
• City will use the land for community revitalization working closely with LAMC.
• A new overflow rail line would be run through the Stromboli Corridor.

3. Redevelopment of the Cooper Yard/Macalloy Site

• The Cooper Yard/Macalloy Site would be redeveloped into an intermodal rail yard and warehousing facility.
• This would be a major job generator for the area.
• A sound wall would be constructed along Spruill Avenue.
• The project would reduce the number of trucks on local streets and roads.
• The Clemson Wind Turbine Cluster would be allowed to move forward, creating more jobs.
• Would not require re-opening the Environmental Impact Statement for the new port terminal.