New Carolina Connector terminal expected to ease supply chain issues, strengthen NC economy

State and local leaders held a ribbon-cutting Thursday morning for the Carolina Connector intermodal, one of the largest infrastructure projects ever in eastern North Carolina. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper hopes the terminal will alleviate strain on the state’s supply chain.

The Carolina Connector is a $160 million intermodal terminal run by rail company CSX that moves shipping containers between trucks and trains.

Elected officials on hand for the grand opening ceremony in Edgecombe County felt the terminal was coming online at an opportune moment.

“Supply chain problems, here comes the Carolina Connector,” Cooper announced when he took the podium.

Cooper told the gathered crowd that while the intermodal wouldn’t solve the global supply chain issues slowing down trade in the state, it should help by getting products to companies and consumers faster.

“Things that need to get from one place to the other as quickly as we can, so that we can address this supply chain problem and that in turn will address the inflation issue,” the governor said.

While the remote-operated cranes would create fewer than 10 jobs at the site itself, economic developers said the area would benefit from companies that move to Nash and Edgecombe counties to work alongside the connector.

“When you think about the 1,500 jobs that will be created just as a result of this, and the $400 million increase in our state’s economy, this will affect the entire economy of North Carolina,” Cooper said.

As they celebrated one beginning, leaders also looked to the possibilities that still lay ahead for a rural area on the rise.

“Thinking about what will be out here in the future, it’s exciting,” the governor said.

Economic developers told WRAL News that following the opening of the terminal, their job going forward would be to let companies know the connector was there for them, and to keep bringing new industry to the state.