The Wisconsin Department of Transportation recently awarded Komatsu Mining Corp. two Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) grants for its rail and road improvements.
The first grant, totaling $1 million, will be used to construct a railroad spur. The spur will connect the Komatsu site to the Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific railroads. It will also provide rail access to Komatsu’s $300 million manufacturing and headquarters facility currently under construction in Milwaukee’s Harbor District.
The project is expected to be completed in autumn.
The second grant, totaling $731,000, will be used to support the reconstruction of a section of Kinnickinnic Avenue to allow large trucks to access the Komatsu site safely. Work is scheduled to begin next year.
Komatsu also received up to $59.5 million in state tax credits from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. The total amount the company will receive is contingent on the amount of capital investment the company makes and the number of jobs created.
The state’s TEA program provides financial assistance to communities for transportation infrastructure improvements that will help attract new employers or encourage existing employers to expand. Projects must benefit the community and have the endorsement of the local government.
The program awarded 11 grants totaling $5.2 million last year.