A new inland port agreement was signed last week by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, the Georgia Ports Authority and Cordele Intermodal Services to create and expand international markets for regional business.

The agreement, which ensures a direct 200-mile rail route to and from GPA’s Garden City Terminal in Savannah, will serve as a gateway to Southwest Georgia and adjacent regions of Florida and Alabama.

In a news release, the Georgia Ports Authority said the agreement will reduce the number of truck miles into Savannah, with the inland port being an intermodal option to an all-truck-dray to the deepwater port of Savannah for CIS’ target market. 

CIS is located on 40 acres, with an option to expand up to 1,200 acres in the Crisp County Industrial Park. The facility is less than one mile from Interstate 75, Georgia Highway 300 and Georgia Highway 280, and allows direct container rail service to and from the ports of Brunswick and Savannah. 

CIS is providing exclusive rail access between the Port of Savannah and it’s inland facility, with access to CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads.