MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) – Recovery efforts are underway for the SS Badger Car ferry dock in Manitowoc after it was badly damaged by Lake Michigan waters over the weekend.
Jason Ring, Executive Director of the Manitowoc Visitors and Convention Bureau, is keeping his fingers crossed that all plans go as scheduled.
“We calculate the economic impact of what visitors spend that come off the car ferry. And the impact of that is around $14 million….pretty significant.”
The car ferry also adds or impacts a total of 700 jobs.
Ring says if no setbacks occur, it is believed that they won’t have any lost time.
“The goal is to keep the car ferry sailing season on pace for the May 11th start of the season.”
While the SS Badger has a major impact on the local economy, Ring says the damage has drawn attention from all over the state.
“Everything is being expedited. Many people at high levels in state government are looking to see this project completed.”
Ring likens the ferry dock damage to what it would be like for another community when a major highway into town is shut down.
