The Sandersville Railroad Company has announced Southern Chips LLC as an additional user of its planned rail spur in Hancock County. Southern Chips will use the spur to transport pulp and paper-quality wood chips to mills throughout the southeastern United States and beyond.
The Hanson Spur will allow Southern Chips to ship its product more cost-effectively through access to the CSX Transportation (CSXT) network, providing its locally sourced timber and wood products to more customers in the region. Through using the spur, Southern Chips will have the ability to expand its existing support of loggers and timber companies in middle and southeastern Georgia.
"Sandersville Railroad is thrilled to announce this partnership with Southern Chips," says Sandersville Railroad President Ben J. Tarbutton, III. "With access to the CSXT via the Hanson Spur, Southern Chips will be able to reach new markets, increasing their demand for pine and hardwood supplied by Georgia's robust logging supply chain network and locally owned timberland."
The 4.5-mile-long spur will connect the CSXT rail line that runs along Ga. Highway 16 in Hancock County to the Heidelberg Materials aggregate quarry in Sparta, Ga. The spur is projected to greatly benefit the Hancock County community, generating over $1.5 million in annual economic benefit and creating jobs for the county.
Sandersville Railroad plans to have the Hanson Spur fully operational by the end of 2024.
Southern Chips, LLC has been in operation since 2018 and provides quality hardwood and pine wood chips to pulp and paper mills.
The Sandersville Railroad Company is a privately held shortline railroad in Sandersville, Georgia.
