April 17, 2024

By Lane Kimble

MADISON, Wis. — Road builders will help shipbuilders drive (or… perhaps “sail”) Wisconsin’s economy forward thanks to a new grant announced this week.

Gov. Tony Evers and WisDOT Sec. Craig Thompson said the state was awarding the City of Marinette more than $631,000 to build up roads and infrastructure around Fincantieri Marinette Marine.

The road construction project will help the longtime northeast Wisconsin shipyard handle more employees, traffic, and industry as it builds the U.S. Navy’s newest class of ships.  Fincantieri won the government contract in 2020.

“Marinette Marine is a vital part of our state’s economy and has been for more than 80 years,” Thompson said in a news release. “Supporting its growth, its employees, and the overall Marinette community will have a positive impact that extends far beyond Northeast Wisconsin.”

The grant money comes from the state’s Transportation Economic Assistance program. Every year Wisconsin can use TEA to dole out a total of $3.4 million to projects that directly support business growth.