Milwaukee, WI — Operations are officially ramping up at the DeLong Co. Inc. Agricultural Maritime Export Facility on Jones Island, marking the most significant capital infusion into the Port of Milwaukee since the 1950s. This 3.9-acre site serves as a high-capacity hub designed to bridge the gap between Wisconsin farmers and international markets, focusing on the transloading of soybeans, corn, and dried distillers’ grains.

The facility functions as a critical multimodal link, integrating rail, vessel, and truck transport to move agricultural commodities. By converting an underutilized industrial site into an advanced transload center, the project aims to address long-standing inefficiencies in the state's logistics chain. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has identified a need for better intermodal connectivity, projecting a 74% increase in freight movement across all modes over the next two decades. This facility is a direct attempt to capitalize on that growth by streamlining the movement of bulk goods from local producers to overseas buyers.

Funding for the $40 million project reflects a heavy reliance on public-private cooperation. The U.S. Department of Transportation provided the largest share at $15.89 million, bolstered by over $9.5 million from the State’s Harbor Assistance Program. Port Milwaukee contributed $5.7 million, while the DeLong Co. Inc. added $8.88 million to the initiative. With a storage capacity of 45,000 metric tons, the site is expected to handle an annual export volume of 400,000 metric tons, potentially injecting $63 million into the local economy every year.

What This Means for Drivers

For the professional CDL-A driver, this facility represents a new destination for bulk haulers and short-haul regional freight. The site is equipped with high-speed gravity dump hoppers, meaning drivers can expect faster turnarounds compared to traditional loading docks. Owner-operators and fleet managers should prepare for increased traffic density around Jones Island as the facility hits full operational capacity. Those seeking consistent regional work may find stable routes moving grain from inland farms to this primary export terminal.

Industry Reaction

The development signals a broader shift in how Wisconsin views its maritime assets. By addressing the lack of intermodal connections, the state is making a clear play to keep freight on local roads and rails rather than losing it to out-of-state hubs. As trucking companies are hiring to meet the anticipated 74% growth in state freight, this facility offers a predictable revenue stream for carriers focused on agricultural logistics. Experts at ustrucker.info note that infrastructure investments of this scale often create a ripple effect, drawing more OTR truck driver activity to the region.

Key Points

• The DeLong Co. Inc. Agricultural Maritime Export Facility is the largest Port of Milwaukee investment since the 1950s.
• The site features a 45,000 metric ton storage capacity and processes 400,000 metric tons of agricultural goods annually.
• Infrastructure includes state-of-the-art gravity dump hoppers specifically designed for rapid truck-to-rail and truck-to-vessel transloading.
• Total project funding reached $40 million, supported by federal, state, and private investments.

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