(The Center Square) – Wisconsin is granting $885,000 to the village of Pleasant Prairie to fund a portion of a rail project to connect a new 190-acre WestRock facility to the Union Pacific Railroad mainline.
The corrugated packaging company is planning a facility that will employ 177 new workers. The rail will transport raw materials, mainly oversized paper rolls, to and from the facility.
The facility, expected to be completed in 2025, will be near the intersection of County Highway H and 95th Street.
WestRock will close its North Chicago facility when construction is complete.
“This grant was critical in attracting this business to the village of Pleasant Prairie,” Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson said. “I applaud Gov. Evers’ vision in making this investment in transportation solutions to make this a reality. Through this TEA (Transportation Economic Assistance ) grant, we’re creating new jobs, reducing manufacturing costs, and improving sustainability through reduced energy consumption.”
Economists question the effectiveness of financial incentives to private businesses to expand or come to a new state.
WestRock says it would require four to six truckloads to deliver the same amount of material as one rail car.
WestRock’s products include corrugated containers, folding cartons, paperboard, and other packaging materials.
