Study shows ports are major asset for economic growth in Pee Dee

The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) released results of a new economic impact study completed by the University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business highlighting the port's impacts on the Pee Dee region.

The study found that the port supports 1 in 14 Pee Dee jobs paying 40 percent higher than the state's average annual wage.

The study was completed by research economist Joseph Von Nessen and says the Ports Authority provides a key strategic advantage for the state of South Carolina because over the past six years, the primary drivers of growth have been export oriented industries, largely those that use the ports.

Statewide, the port is responsible for 187,200 jobs and $53 billion in annual economic impact, representing nearly 10 percent of total gross state product.

Read more with our Grand Strand News Alliance partner WPDE (ABC-15)

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 4:44 PM with the headline "Study shows ports are major asset for economic growth in Pee Dee."