(The following story by Shelley Nelson appeared on the Duluth News Tribune website on February 4.)
SUPERIOR, Wisc. — One of the nation’s oldest operating grain facilities could get help from a public-private partnership.
Superior and Burlington Northern-Santa Fe/General Mills are joining forces to try to maintain the viability of the General Mills grain facility in the city.
On Tuesday night, the Superior City Council adopted a harbor development statement of intent, which establishes the city’s priorities for harbor improvements for three years.
It is also required for a grant from the Harbor Assistance Program. The program, offered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, offers financial assistance to communities on the Great Lakes and Mississippi River for projects that maintain or improve water-borne commerce.
The move could help the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe/General Mills pay for a $1.3 million project to reconstruct dock walls at its Superior grain facility.
Burlington Northern-Santa Fe has operated the grain facility under a series of lease agreements since 1989.
The city has applied for a grant through the Harbor Assistance Program to help the company pay for repairs, Port and Planning Director Jason Serck said.
Repairs are needed, General Mills spokesman Tom Forseth said. The project is important to the facility’s long-term viability, he said.
If approved, the company would pick up the tab for about $269,600 and the grant would pay the remaining 80 percent of project costs.
“There is no cost to city taxpayers,” Serck said. The city’s only obligation for the grant would be met with city staff time, he said.
The city would gain a parcel of land at the dock site because eligible projects must be publicly owned, Serck said.
“Unlike a lot of harbor communities, Superior doesn’t own a lot of waterfront property,” Serck said.
Plans include replacing dock walls and other improvements to repair the existing dock, built in 1900, when the facility was constructed.
The General Mills grain facility is one of the largest grain-handling facilities in the Twin Ports with a working capacity of 13 million bushels.
Serck said about 27 people work at the site.
“Our working infrastructure on the waterfront, we want to keep working,” Mayor Dave Ross said. “This is a business retention effort.”
In other action Tuesday night, the council:
— Got an update on the Stormwater Flood Control Pilot Project and recognized citizens for participation in the program, designed to alleviate basement flooding.
— Revoked the liquor license issued to Troy Banks Enterprises Inc. for Odyssey’s Bar. The corporation’s owner, Bob Farmer, had felony convictions from 1978, making him ineligible to hold the license.
— Approved purchasing $6,000 in equipment for the public access studio at the Superior Public Library. The cost of the equipment will be paid for by cable television franchise fees.