Governor Tony Evers today announced a $2.2 million Harbor Assistance Program grant for improvements at the Manitowoc harbor to support the manufacturing, assembly and shipping of cranes for the US Navy. New loadout and rail platforms will be constructed at the City Centre, LLC property to handle oversize, overweight cranes.
“These harbor improvements provide double benefits. The grant helps create new highly-skilled jobs in Wisconsin. It also helps contain transportation costs, making future manufacturing contracts even more attractive,” Governor Evers said. “This grant connects the dots between quality transportation infrastructure, the success of local businesses and building strong communities.
The improvements are needed to enable Konecranes and Broadwind Towers and Heavy Fabrications to manufacture enormous cranes for the US Navy. Once manufactured, the cranes must be tested and shipped fully assembled the east coast.
“Without these improvements to City Centre, these jobs would likely be lost to an out-of-state port,” said Craig Thompson, Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary-designee. “This grant also continues the Manitowoc crane building tradition and is another great illustration of the value of transportation investments in Wisconsin’s ports.”
Created in 1979, WisDOT’s Harbor Assistance Program helps harbor communities maintain and improve waterborne commerce. Applications are reviewed by the Harbor Advisory Council, which includes members from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, UW Sea Grant, Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and alumni from the Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute.
