State grants $4 million for harbor work

MADISON – Two harbor projects are getting a helping hand from the state of Wisconsin.

Gov. Jim Doyle this morning announced $4 million in Wisconsin Harbor Assistance Program funding for projects on the Superior harbor. The program assists harbor communities on the Great Lakes and Mississippi River improve and maintain waterborne commerce. It helps fund port projects such as dock reconstruction, mooring replacement, dredging and construction of facilities to hold dredge materials.

“When you come to Superior Days you should always get something, and this is a big one,” Doyle told the Superior Days delegation. “I am pleased to announce that through the Harbor Assistance Program, we are providing the city of Superior with another $4 million to make improvements.

The city sought almost $2.6 million through the program to help CLM Corp. make dock wall repairs costing $3.2 million. The balance will be paid by CLM.

Wisconsin’s grant complements a $36 million expansion project that created a fifth kiln to manufacture lime products used in paper production, power plant pollution control, water and sewage treatment, steel production and ore processing.

The privately-funded project got underway last year to meet a growing demand for the company’s product worldwide.

Cenex-Harvest States Grain Elevators. beneath the Blatnik Bridge, will receive a $1.7 million to repair dock walls. Superior applied for more almost $1.4 million in Harbor Assistance Program money to support the project.

Overall, “this is $5 million of investment in our future. It’s a good thing for Superior,” said Port and Planning Director Jason Serck.

It’s no different from the city seeking and receiving grants to help Burlington Northern-Santa Fe in 2005 and Hallett Dock last year, he said. The $1.1 million grant for Burlington Northern-Santa Fe helped maintain the viability of the General Mills Elevator, one of the oldest grain facilities in the nation. The dock was in need of repair after it had been damaged by a ship in 2001.

Last year, the Harbor Assistance Program contributed $1.4 million to a $1.7 million dock stabilization and dredging project for Hallett Dock No. 8, after the company invested more than $2 million in other improvements to its facility in Superior.

“The Port of Superior is the Great Lakes largest harbor,” Doyle said. “It’s a critical part of Wisconsin’s and the Great Lakes area economy, supporting job growth throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest.”

Contact Shelley Nelson at (715) 395-5022 or snelson@superiortelegram.com

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