Following an old-fashioned principle, U.S. Rep. Dave Obey, D-Wis., stopped in Superior on Tuesday to learn more about how Fraser Shipyards plans to use a $2 million appropriation from the federal government.
The principle: If you spend the taxpayers' money, you better know how it's going to be used, the congressman said Tuesday to a warehouse filled with shipyard workers and local dignitaries.
Obey secured a $2 million appropriation for the city of Superior to continue improvements to the shipyard's bulkhead wall. It's the second phase of a three-phase project to improve the shipbuilding facility in North End.
"The $2 million that Dave got for us is going to go for ... about 420 feet of repairs that need to be made," said Jim Korthals, chief operating officer for Fraser Shipyards. Once that's complete, he said Fraser Shipyard plans to upgrade the electrical systems on the pier and in the shipyard.
"We've been here since 1890 and some of the guys think the electrical system was put in about the same time," Korthals said. "So we're looking at upgrading that a little bit."
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Once the upgrades are made to the pier, Korthals said, the shipyard will be able to safely handle heavy lifts, saving time and better serving customers, without putting workers at jeopardy.
The company plans to initiate the work as soon as the funding is disbursed, and expects to hire 15 to 20 additional workers during the project.
"I hope people can come back here in another 100 years and still see this company operating and providing jobs for people," Obey said.
Over the last few years, more than $10 million has been poured into port improvements with projects like dock wall repairs at the General Mills elevator, Cenex-Harvest States and Hallett Dock No. 8 in Superior.
