For more information, contact: WisDOT Office of Public Affairs, 608-266-3581, opa.exec@dot.wi.gov
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) announced that a new Milwaukee Tool facility that plans to add 50 jobs will be supported by a $250,000 Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) grant for road construction.
The grant, approved by WisDOT Secretary-designee Craig Thompson, supports the total project cost of $2.1 million to build a new street in West Bend named Forge Place. Milwaukee Tool is investing $10 million to construct the plant, which will open in 2021, and another $12 million in specialized equipment to make hand tools for professional electricians and utility linemen.
“Our partnership with the City of West Bend on this project helps expand Milwaukee Tool’s operations in Wisconsin, creating welcome capital investment and jobs,” Secretary-designee Thompson said. “TEA grants support business expansion across the state, and I want to encourage local officials and economic groups to apply.”
The 1,500-foot-long Forge Place will run east from the existing South River Road and Rail Way intersection to Milwaukee Tool’s 94,700-square-foot facility. The company’s West Bend manufacturing facility will be expandable up to 185,000 square feet to accommodate future growth.
“We are pleased to receive the TEA Grant and thank WisDOT for supporting our project,” said Jay Shambeau, City Administrator. “Constructing Forge Place will support Milwaukee Tool’s new manufacturing facility along with future developments available in our new industrial TID, the West Bend Manufacturing Center.”
Wisconsin’s TEA program awarded 11 grants in 2020 that totaled $5.2 million. They support transportation improvements linked to business development projects that will create 1,005 new jobs and retain an additional 716 jobs in Wisconsin.
The TEA program provides financial assistance to communities to support transportation infrastructure improvements that will help attract new employers or encourage existing employers to expand. A municipal or county unit of government must sponsor a TEA application. The project must have the local government’s endorsement, and it must benefit the public.
