MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), on June 13th, announced an $885,000 Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) grant to the village of Pleasant Prairie. The grant will support a rail project to enable corrugated packaging company WestRock to open a new manufacturing facility and create 177 jobs in this growing Southeast Wisconsin community.

“This is an investment not only in the community of Pleasant Prairie but in our state’s economy,” said Gov. Evers. “Southeast Wisconsin is growing and quickly, and this investment will help support this continued growth, create jobs, and build the infrastructure needed now and into the future. I look forward to seeing this new infrastructure and new facility continue to grow Wisconsin’s 21st-century workforce and economy.”

The grant will help fund the construction of a rail spur and additional railroad track to connect WestRock’s recently acquired 190-acre industrial facility, located near the intersection of County Highway H and 95th Street, to the Union Pacific Railroad mainline. The rail connection will allow the company to transport its raw materials, mainly oversized paper rolls, more efficiently while being environmentally responsible. It would require four to six truckloads to deliver the same amount of material as one rail car.

“This grant was critical in attracting this business to the village of Pleasant Prairie,” said WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson. “I applaud Gov. Evers’ vision in making this investment in transportation solutions to make this a reality. Through this TEA grant, we’re creating new jobs, reducing manufacturing costs, and improving sustainability through reduced energy consumption.”

WestRock’s new Wisconsin facility will help meet the growing demand for creative packaging solutions from customers in the Great Lakes region. The company’s products include corrugated containers, folding cartons, paperboard, and other packaging materials. WestRock serves key markets, including retail, distribution, processed food, industrial, and protein businesses.

“The village of Pleasant Prairie is proud to partner with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to support WestRock, a leading manufacturer of paper and corrugated packaging products, in their investment to develop a state-of-the-art corrugated box plant,” said Pleasant Prairie Village Administrator Eric Rindfleisch. “The TEA grant program is essential in attracting new business, fostering job opportunities, and boosting Wisconsin’s business reputation. The grant will support the addition of a rail spur to enhance material delivery, reducing daily truck trips to and from the facility.”

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. More information about the program, including instructions to apply for a grant, can be found here.