Governor Evers approves $10 million in grants for Harbor Maintenance

Governor Tony Evers along with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) have announced $10 million in grants for projects involving harbor maintenance and improvements. This is to promote waterborne freight and economic development.

“Wisconsin’s ports handle billions of dollars of cargo each year and our waters – from our Great Lakes to the Mississippi River – are critical for our businesses shipping goods around the world and powering our communities and our economy. These grants will help build a stronger transportation network for our state and make sure our ports and harbors have the 21st-century infrastructure needed to support a 21st-century global economy.”

Gov. Tony Evers

Projects supported by the Harbor Assistance Program grants include over $800,000 for the City of Superior to stabilize the existing shoreline and remove a failing dock wall on General Mills property located on the St. Louis River.

The City of Superior will also be gaining $3 million to rebuild a dock wall along property owned by Elkhorn Industries and dredge the bed of Superior Bay to establish an inter modal facility.

“The Mississippi River, Lake Superior, and Lake Michigan all provide Wisconsin communities with maritime routes for international commerce, and the investments we make this year build on strategic efforts to connect transportation modes and maximize opportunities for economic development.”

WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson

Applications for the grants created by the Harbor Assistance program are accepted from public or private harbor facilities for projects that benefit cargo transfer, shipbuilding, commercial fishing, vessel cruises, or ferry service. Selection criteria include economic impact, urgency, and project type.

The deadline for the next cycle of Harbor Assistance Program grants is August 1st, 2024. For more information on this program, head to the program website.