Milwaukee, Wis., mayor Tom Barrett unveiled a new major development at the Port Milwaukee Thursday morning. The port, in coordination with The DeLong Co., will establish a $31 million agricultural product export facility on Jones Island. The announcement coincides with a Port Infrastructure Development Program grant announcement of $15.9 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration.

“This investment adds a new dimension to Port Milwaukee’s role as a connector of Wisconsin's businesses and farmers to world markets,” Barrett said. “Waterborne commerce is what established Milwaukee and fueled its growth. The port's new agricultural export facility will serve regional customers for decades to come, and we are very appreciative of the federal government’s partnership.”

The new facility, located on the west side of Jones Island, is designed to handle various agricultural products, including dried distillers grains, a byproduct of ethanol production. The facility is expected to open new international markets for the product.

“Port Milwaukee moves Wisconsin’s manufactured goods and agricultural products to markets across the country and to the rest of the world,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D., Wis.), a major supporter of the project who notified the port of the grant this week. “I worked to secure this investment in our transportation infrastructure so that we can expand farmers’ access to international markets, create jobs for Milwaukee workers and help grow our Made in Wisconsin economy.”

The project has received endorsements from state and federal government leaders, local business groups and Great Lakes maritime representatives.