Press Release: Gov. Evers, WisDOT Celebrate Port of Manitowoc Manufacturing

Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2021
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers, WisDOT Celebrate Port of Manitowoc Manufacturing
 Harbor improvement grants support crane construction that will serve U.S. Navy

MANITOWOC — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) today celebrated the completion of a crane in the Port of Manitowoc that is securing existing jobs, creating new jobs, and bringing a source of major economic development to the region.

Supported by WisDOT Harbor Assistance Program grants in 2020 and 2021—totaling approximately $3.5 million—the completed crane will handle 140-ton loads when it is put into service at a U.S. Navy base on the East Coast. Designed and assembled by Konecranes with components constructed by Broadwind Heavy Fabrications, the crane will be loaded fully assembled onto a barge for transport through the Saint Lawrence Seaway.

“Generations of folks in Wisconsin have worked hard to build our rail lines, our roads, and our harbors, and we're proud of the multimodal infrastructure we have in our state,” said Gov. Evers. “This project with the help of our Harbor Assistance Program and the expertise and engineering of Konecranes and Broadwind connects the dots and will secure jobs, create new jobs, and bring a major source of economic development not only to the Manitowoc region but our entire state.”

“Wisconsin has the advantage of being surrounded on three sides by water that allows maritime freight,” WisDOT Secretary-designee Craig Thompson said. “Investing in our harbors positions us to compete in global markets, and we are all pleased to see the success of Konecranes and Broadwind in Manitowoc. Their work, together with the city of Manitowoc and the state, is bringing world class industry and career opportunity to Wisconsin.”

Manitowoc’s harbor improvements include structural upgrades to the building site and a section of rail that allows this crane—as well as future cranes—to be tested and loaded for transport.

WisDOT’s Harbor Assistance Program helps harbor communities maintain and improve port infrastructure. Improved port infrastructure leads to increased waterborne commerce, and improved state and community economic development. 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.

Applications are accepted for projects that benefit cargo transfer, shipbuilding, commercial fishing, passenger cruises, or ferry service. The deadline for the next round of Harbor Assistance Project grants is Aug. 1, 2021. For more information about Wisconsin’s Harbor Assistance program or to review past grant awards, visit: http://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/local-gov/astnce-pgms/aid/harbor.aspx.

 
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