The Port of Milwaukee is getting a new $31 million agricultural products export facility aimed at handling distillers grain. New agricultural export facility will help farmers ship their grains around the world.

Boosted by a federal grant, the Port of Milwaukee is establishing a $31 million agricultural products export facility. In coordination with The DeLong Company, it will handle dried distillers grain, an animal feed supplement, and other products aimed at international markets. Construction of the new facility, to be built on the west side of Jones Island, is expected to begin in about a year. The Port of Milwaukee director says the new facility will be open for business in 2 to 3 years. A $15.9 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant is covering part of the costs. “This investment adds a new dimension to the Port of Milwaukee’s role as a connector of Wisconsin’s businesses and farmers to world markets,” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said in a statement. “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 a byproduct of ethanol production, Dried Distillers Grain. DDG is an animal feed supplement, and the facility will open new international markets for this product. “Port Milwaukee moves Wisconsin’s manufactured goods and agricultural products to markets across the country and to the rest of the world,” said Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin. “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.