MADISON — A $631,235 Transportation Economic Assistance grant has been awarded to the city of Marinette. The grant will support road construction to improve traffic flow around Fincantieri Marinette Marine as the shipbuilding company grows its operation.

The grant was announced by Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

“As Fincantieri Marinette Marine expands its operations here in Wisconsin, we are committed to ensuring surrounding communities continue to thrive,” said Evers. “This is an exciting project in Northeast Wisconsin, which represents more than simply improving roads to benefit the Marinette community.”

Fincantieri Marinette Marine received a contract in 2020 to design and build the U.S. Navy’s newest class of ships, the Constellation-class Frigate. Hundreds of new employees, contractors, naval specialists, and visitors are expected in the Marinette area as the company increases its ship production. The city will use the grant funding to help reconstruct roads surrounding the facility to accommodate additional traffic.

In addition to the company’s expansion, many other community improvements and new developments are underway in Marinette and its downtown district.

“We are grateful to be awarded this funding for our much-needed Downtown Corridor project, bringing an economic benefit to our businesses and industries,” said Marinette Mayor Steve Genisot. “This is a great opportunity for the city to redevelop our Main Street and create infrastructure improvements for a better traffic flow near Fincantieri Marinette Marine, our largest employer.”

The TEA program provides financial assistance to communities to support transportation infrastructure improvements that will help attract new employers or encourage existing employers to expand. 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.