The opportunity?
Rio Creek Feed Mill, served by the Fox Valley & Lake Superior Rail System, seeks to improve rail car loading and unloading efficiency at its Luxemburg facility in Kewaunee County. The facility receives inbound carloads of canola meal, soybean meal, corn gluten, and distiller grains.

What is the “fix” and how does it benefit the economy?
Rio Creek will use the award to help fund the construction of a 1.339-million-bushel grain bin, support tower, and loading and unloading equipment. The bin’s construction will improve rail car loading and unloading efficiency, leading to $600,000 in annual transportation cost savings after two years.

What makes the investment possible?
Rio Creek Feed Mill was awarded $1.5M under the Freight Railroad Infrastructure Improvement Program (FRIIP). According to the WisDOT website, FRIIP loans cover up to 100% of the cost of rail projects that connect an industry to the national railroad system, improve transportation efficiency, safety, and intermodal freight movement, accomplish line rehabilitation, and develop the economy.