Economic Benefits

ERIC REINELT, PORT DIRECTOR, 414-286-8130, email: ereine@port.mil.wi.us

The Port of Milwaukee is southeastern Wisconsin's transportation and distribution center of vital quality of life products and is a major contributor to the long-term economic stability and growth of the State of Wisconsin. In 2006 the Port anticipates handling over 3.5 million tons of product for the State.

Key Logistic Advantages:

• The Port of Milwaukee is serviced by two major railroads (Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific)
• NO limitation to any size vessel that can service the Great Lakes/ St. Lawrence System, either lake or foreign vessels.
• Lifting capacity over 187 tons direct from vessel to rail, truck or barge.
• Direct interstate highway access.
• Inland river barges – access to the Mississippi and other inland rivers.
• Milwaukee area tourism has increased as a result of the 2003 opening of the passenger/auto ferry terminal (over 100,000 passengers yearly). The opening of the downtown Pier Wisconsin and its new cruise ship berth is expected to attract additional tourism.

These commodities handled at the Port directly impact the long-term economic success and growth of the State of Wisconsin on a yearly basis:

Salt: Roughly 900,000 tons of salt each year - keeping streets, highways and sidewalks safe; serving the most traveled roads, and approximately 60-70% of the State's populated area.

Cement: Approximately 500,000 tons of cement and cement products used in all areas of construction in SE Wisconsin.

Coal: Over $1 Million tons of coal is delivered by barge to three of the State's power plants.

Steel: 150,000+ tons of specialty products are distributed to WI based fabricators and manufacturers.

WI Manufactured Products: The capability to handle large cargo such as Bucyrus and P&H mining shovels allows these and other large manufacturers to be competitive around the world while keeping jobs here in Wisconsin.

Intermodal Containers: The Port has the largest intermodal sea container facility in WI. 350,000 tons of goods are shipped internationally to/from the Far East and European markets.

Grain: Milwaukee's port is the third largest exporter of grain in the Great Lakes.

A PDF of Wisconsin's Commercial Ports - An Economic Overview by the WI DOT can be found at:

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/water/docs/ports-econ-report.pdf