Gov. Evers, WisDOT Announce $150,000 Infrastructure Improvement Grant To Facilitate Economic Development and Job Creation in Bayfield County

Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) today announced a $150,000 Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) grant to Bayfield County. The grant will support road construction to complete Arganbright Road and provide full access to the undeveloped Bayfield County Business Park. The road improvements will allow heavy equipment company Ritola Inc. to move into the business park, expand services and create at least 15 new jobs.

“Our communities and local businesses rely on good infrastructure to promote economic development,” Gov. Evers said. “I’m proud to continue investing in worthy projects through our TEA grant program like this one in Bayfield County. I’m excited to see the new business park grow and allow more northwest Wisconsin businesses to take advantage of the improvements we’re making.”

The newly constructed 2,100-foot section of Arganbright Road will connect State Farm Road to WIS 137 and provide additional improvements such as storm drainage and two access points to the business park.

“Congratulations to Bayfield County on this new project,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “We’re proud to work closely with our local partners to identify infrastructure improvement opportunities across the state. This is yet another example of our TEA grant program helping grow Wisconsin’s economy.”

Ritola Inc. provides excavation, heavy equipment and trucking services in northern Wisconsin. The company’s work requires mobility of heavy equipment to and from locations and often faces weight restrictions with oversize and overweight loads. This TEA Grant helps address these issues and provides support for Bayfield County’s business park facilities.

“Bayfield County is very excited about phase two of the Arganbright Road project in the Bayfield County Business Park,” Bayfield County Board Chair Dennis Pocernich said. “The Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s support is critical to make this happen and for Ritola Inc. to locate in the business park. Funding of core infrastructure is a challenge for local units of government. WisDOT’s partnership makes a difference.”

“The Town of Eileen thanks WisDOT for their support for the Arganbright Road project,” Town of Eileen Board Chair Marty Milanowski said. “The town believes it is important to provide businesses an opportunity to build locally. Expanding local businesses supports our communities in many ways. We value and appreciate this partnership with WisDOT.”

The Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) program provides matching state grants to governing bodies for road, rail, harbor and airport projects that help attract employers to Wisconsin or encourage business and industry to remain and expand in the state. A municipal or county unit of government must sponsor a TEA application. The project must have the local government’s endorsement, and it must benefit the public. More information about the program, including instructions to apply for a grant, can be found here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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