Evers, WisDOT announce rail project to help spur $10M investment, 40 new jobs in Walworth County
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), on Thursday, Aug. 19, announced that a $630,000 rail project that will help Arntzen Corporation move a production facility from Illinois to Walworth County will be supported by a $200,000 WisDOT Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) grant.
According to a news release, the new $10 million Arntzen Corporation facility will employ 40 workers in the village of Sharon and is designed to produce large-diameter steel pipes for underground use. The rail project will connect the site to the Union Pacific Railroad.
“Strong infrastructure and strategic investments are key to adding high-skill, high-wage jobs and connecting the dots so our state and economy can grow,” said Gov. Evers. “I welcome Arntzen Corporation to Wisconsin, and I welcome more businesses to collaborate on transportation solutions and find new success in Wisconsin.”
The TEA grant was recently approved by WisDOT Secretary-designee Craig Thompson.
“Whether it is improving rail access, strengthening our harbors or improving our roads, Wisconsin is committed to infrastructure investments that improve our economy, safety and quality of life,” Secretary-designee Craig Thompson said. “Thank you to Arntzen Corporation for investing in Wisconsin.”
Arntzen will use the new 1,100-foot rail spur to receive deliveries of steel plate which is the primary raw material for their operation.
“Wisconsin’s pro-business environment combined with the Village of Sharon’s industrial site with rail access made this community the logical choice for our new manufacturing facility,” said company Vice President John Arntzen. “Transporting steel plate from the various steel mills by rail is key to staying competitive as a steel casing pipe mill.”
Construction of Arntzen’s plant in Sharon is expected to begin this fall with completion slated for next year. Work on the WisDOT supported rail spur which will serve the site is expected to begin in the spring of 2022 and be completed by the time the manufacturing facility is operational.