Eight harbor maintenance and improvement projects are getting $10 million in grants to promote waterborne freight and economic development.
According to the governor’s office, Wisconsin’s ports handle billions of dollars of cargo each year.
“Our waters are critical for our businesses shipping goods around the world and powering our communities and our economy,” says Gov. Tony Evers. “These grants will help build a stronger transportation network for our state.”
Projects supported by the $10 million in Harbor Assistance Program grants include:
- Perch Point LLC, Port Milwaukee
$720,000 to construct a loading dock and fixed crane to support the movement of shoreline protection materials along Lake Michigan. - City of Superior
$813,800 to stabilize the shoreline and remove a failing dock wall on General Mills property on the St. Louis River. - Hanke Terminals, La Crosse
$2.2 million to rebuild a failing dock wall used to export agricultural commodities and import bulk goods. - Briess Malt Inc., Manitowoc
$1 million to dredge the bed of the Manitowoc River. Also to refurbish a ship unloading system used by Briess Malt to move agricultural commodities. - Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay
$382,400 to dredge the bed of Sturgeon Bay to maintain navigation for vessels using the Fincantieri facility. - City of Superior
$3 million to rebuild a dock wall along property owned by Elkhorn Industries. Also to dredge the bed of Superior Bay to establish an intermodal facility. - City of Manitowoc
$562,000 to dredge the bed of the Manitowoc River to support shipping at the St. Mary’s Cement facility. - City Centre LLC, Manitowoc
$1.34 million to construct a load-out pad for assembling, testing, and shipping new cranes designed by Konecranes Inc.
Created in 1979, Wisconsin’s Harbor Assistance Program helps harbor communities maintain and improve waterborne commerce. Applications are reviewed by the Harbor Advisory Council. The council includes members from:
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;
- University of Wisconsin Sea Grant;
- Wisconsin Coastal Management Program;
- Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.;
- Wisconsin DNR; and
- alumni from the Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute.
Applications are accepted from public or private harbor facilities for projects that benefit facilities used for cargo transfer, shipbuilding, commercial fishing, vessel cruises, or ferry service. All projects must have a transportation efficiency benefit-cost ratio greater than one over a 25-year project life and be identified in a current three-year harbor development plan. Selection criteria include economic impact, urgency, and project type. Those interested in the next round of Harbor Assistance P grants should note that the deadline for the next cycle is Aug. 1.
