Rep. Craig Secures Nearly $10.2 Million for Red Wing Port Authority to Upgrade Critical Systems and Infrastructure

RED WING, MN – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig announced that her office secured $10,161,985 in federal funding for the City of Red Wing and Red Wing Grain LLC to upgrade critical systems and infrastructure at the Port of Red Wing. 

 The funding, which came from the Maritime Administration (MARAD)’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), will be used to reconstruct the Port of Red Wing's barge loading system, conveyors, electric winch and dust collection systems. These upgrades will allow for safer and more efficient loading options by elevating loadout infrastructure above the Mississippi River floodplain.

 In May, Rep. Craig wrote a letter of support on behalf of the City of Red Wing and Red Wing Grain LLC, emphasizing the importance of this investment for farmers across Minnesota, including in CD2. 

“I am so proud to have helped secure this investment in the Port of Red Wing, which will have a profound impact not only on the City of Red Wing, but also on the greater Minnesota economy,” said Rep. Craig. “Red Wing Grain purchases soybeans and corn from over 1,200 farmers across the city of Red Wing and ships over 500 river barges of grain per year. These critical upgrades to the Port will expand local farmers’ access to global markets and ensure that port employees can do their jobs safely and efficiently.”

For 150 years, the Port of Red Wing has been the prominent hub connecting Minnesota’s agricultural products to America’s inland waterway system. The Red Wing Barge Loadout Expansion Project at Red Wing Grain LLC will replace a 50-year-old barge loader system and 70-year-old winch system. The infrastructure upgrades will accelerate the Port’s current load speeds and extend the truck unload hours for farmers during busy harvest times and large crop years. This project will also significantly increase employee safety by improving access to barges, reducing time spent on barges and limiting exposure to barge cable.

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