New development near Savannah expected to create 10,000+ jobs

HARDEEVILLE, S.C. (AP) -- A large new development on the South Carolina side of the Savannah River near Savannah is expected to mean thousands of jobs for Jasper County.

The Island Packet of Hilton Head reports (http://bit.ly/1hhsZIR ) ground was broken Thursday on the 5,000-acre development called Riverport that borders both the river and Interstate 95.

The project is joint public-private development. Developers expect it will attract $875 million in investment and create more than 10,000 new jobs.

Riverport will include a 170-acre industrial park as well as additional space for distribution and warehouse facilities. There also are plans for a retail shopping district, homes, schools and a public safety building.

The property is next to the site where South Carolina and Georgia are working to build a new container ship terminal.