MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) – The ribbon will be cut Wednesday on a facility that aims to grow the local maritime program.
Half of the Wisconsin Maritime Center for Excellence will house personnel working on Marinette Marine’s LCS program.
“Build their supply chain with new businesses starting up. Maybe spinning off processes in the yard that they’re doing that aren’t necessarily stuff that needs to be done on the yard, that a contractor could do.”
The center’s Ann Hartnell says the other half is a business incubator.
“We can help them as they start up, as they get going. We can help them expand and grow. Over the approximately three years, they’ll grow enough to attrition out of here.”
Hartnell notes they already have their first tenant.
“It is an expansion of a business from out of the area that works with Marinette Marine right now. They want to work with other businesses in the area too.”
Hartnell says grants covered the full $5.5-million dollar cost.
They are partnering with NWTC to put on programs for the tenants and for a part-time worker to run the incubator.
The ribbon cutting is scheduled for 3:30 pm Wednesday.
