MANITOWOC (NBC 26) — The Port of Manitowoc will get some improvements thanks to a new $900,000 grant announced by Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Thursday.
The Harbor Assistance Program grant will help construct new rail platform extensions at the City Centre LLC property to support the manufacturing, assembly and shipping of cranes for the U.S. Navy, a statement from the governor's office said.
Evers said the grant will better enable Konecranes and Broadwind Heavy Fabrications to increase the manufacturing of enormous cranes for the U.S. Navy at the Port of Manitowoc that will expedite repairs to the submarine fleet. Once manufactured, the cranes must be tested and shipped — fully assembled — to naval ports on the east and west coasts and to Hawaii.
“This Harbor Assistance Program award helps grow industry and create jobs in Wisconsin,” said WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson. “Through our great partnerships with the city of Manitowoc and local businesses, we continue to work together to streamline and revitalize Manitowoc’s crane building tradition.”
Wisconsin’s Legislature created the Harbor Assistance Program in 1979. Learn more here.