Episode description

In the latest edition of “Talking Trade,” City of Superior Planning, Economic Development & Port Director Jason Serck discusses upcoming projects at the port and broader economic trends. 

Serck, who is also president of the Wisconsin Commercial Ports Association, shares insights on commodities moving through the port, ranging from stone, coal and clay to grains and more. 

“Pretty robust here, and a good diversity of moving product and actually importing product as well,” he said. 

He also outlines a $23 million port development project overhauling a C. Reiss Company dock at the port, which received $8.3 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration as well as state dollars from the state Department of Transportation’s Harbor Assistance Program. 

“It’s a win-win,” he said. “It kicked off in August ahead of schedule because the winter has been very, very favorable. And I think they’re hoping to push a little bit of product through there starting this summer.” 

The podcast also spotlights a major project to replace the aging Blatnik Bridge, which was the subject of a visit from President Joe Biden to Superior earlier this year. 

“It’ll be, by the time we’re done with it, probably a considerable little over $2 billion project, which is huge for our area,” he said. “Putting a lot of people to work.”