(Brown County, Wis.) – The state of Wisconsin and Governor Tony Evers has awarded Brown County $15 million to help upgrade site infrastructure and redevelop the former Pulliam Plant site for active operations for the Port of Green Bay.
“This funding is vital for us to take the next steps in expanding the Port and spurring economic development in Northeast Wisconsin,” says Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach. “This is a big win for our economy and the residents of Brown County to see this strategic location redeveloped.”
Brown County applied for this Neighborhood Investment Fund Grant to improve this 40-acre parcel by constructing new dock walls, a rail spur, and stormwater management systems to allow for movement of bulk commodities. Redevelopment of this site under the Phase 1 aims to turn an idle Port site into a facility with upgraded infrastructure that ensures service as an active terminal and continues to provide a positive economic benefit to the region.
“The Port of Green Bay is very thankful for the community, state and federal support in making this once in a lifetime opportunity a reality,” says Port of Green Bay Director Dean Haen. “The repurposing of the decommissioned power plant property into a state-of-the-art port facility at the deepest draft of the Port has been a priority for years.”
Brown County has committed $2.2 million to purchase this site, while GLC Minerals has committed to buying 9.7 acres of the parcel to expand their existing operations while an additional 7.4 acres will be leased from the Port of Green Bay leading to a guaranteed $7.5 million in investment. Overall, the Port estimates that this site redevelopment will generate 20 full-time, family-supporting jobs within 5 years with a total economic impact of $87 million.
Redevelopment of this site also enables the C. Reiss Coal Co. to work out an agreement with the City of Green Bay to relocate coal piles from downtown Green Bay to facilities at the mouth of the Fox River as part of Phase 2 of this project. Relocation removes a barrier to neighborhood revitalization and improving the overall quality of life for its residents.