Manitowoc gets harbor improvement grant

Posted at 12:50 p.m. on January 25, 2017

The Brillion News

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker approved grants totaling $5 million for two harbor maintenance and improvement projects in Wisconsin. Improvements will promote waterborne freight and assist economic development in the communities where they’re located.

One will benefit the Port of Manitowoc. 1311 Spring, LLC, Manitowoc will get a $3 million grant to develop 520 feet of undeveloped shoreline on the Manitowoc River by constructing a new dockwall and dredging 9,000 cubic yards of sediment. This will allow 1311 Spring to better service increased local shipping/barge activities.

These include shipping bottom ash and pulp wood, as well as loading up to 400 wind towers per year from the facility. The completion of this project will create a full service transload dock to ship manufactured and bulk goods, as well as take in raw and bulk materials for use in the local industry.

This project is expected to add only five jobs to the Manitowoc workforce, but it will provide area businesses a cost-effective, efficient means to import and export material.

The other grant announced on January 25 will go to RGL Holdings, Inc, Green Bay. It will provide $2 million for shoreside and waterside structural and safety improvements to accept cargo ships and provide loading and unloading capabilities.

The project will elevate the site above the flood plain and provide a greater range of operating levels. Other major improvements include adding a rail spur and an elevated loading platform, as well as updating security systems.

The company, which is the successor to Leicht Logistics, expects to import 50,000 to 100,000 metric tons of wood pulp annually by ship. As a result of the improvements to this site, which has not been used for dock operations in 25 years, the company expects to create 22 new jobs.