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                <p>CHARLESTON, S.C. – The cruise industry means millions to the South Carolina economy — and a study released Wednesday indicates a planned new cruise terminal in Charleston will mean millions more in addition to hundreds of jobs.</p>
                <p>The study by the Center for Business Research at the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce indicates the new terminal will create nearly 340 jobs and mean $43 million for the economy during the year of construction.</p>
                <p>A year ago, the South Carolina State Ports Authority announced plans to create a new one-berth passenger terminal in an existing building on the Cooper River, just upstream from the state's current, aging cinderblock terminal building that is more than 40 years old.</p>
                <p>The project at the city's Union Pier terminal involves diverting 200 cargo ships a year to other docks and with it, associated rail and truck traffic.</p>
                <p>The new terminal will have room for parking and dropping off passengers, avoiding snarls that sometimes occur when cruise ships now call in Charleston. The project also will open up 35 acres along the city's waterfront for redevelopment and public access.</p>
                <p>The terminal redevelopment is expected to cost about $25 million, with a total economic impact of $43 million. But redevelopment of the waterfront would result in millions more in investment.</p>
                <p>The Ports Authority board is expected to select a team later this month to design the new terminal. Construction is expected to start later this year with the terminal scheduled to open by the end of 2012.</p>
                <p>As proposed, the redevelopment would allow people to walk approximately four miles down one side of the Charleston peninsula and up the other and, with few exceptions, always see the water.</p>
                <p>Last year marked the city's first year-round cruising season. Carnival Cruise Lines last spring permanently based its 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy in Charleston.</p>
                <p>Tourism is an $18 billion industry in South Carolina, and a study conducted last year for the authority found the cruise industry pumps $37 million into the economy each year.</p>
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            </p></div></div><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a class="rssreadon" rel="external" title="New Charleston cruise terminal to boost economy" href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20110309/ap_tr_ge/us_travel_brief_charleston_cruises_1" target="_blank">http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20110309/ap_tr_ge/us_travel_brief_charleston_cruises_1</a></p>