The City of Marinette and Fincantieri Marinette Marine are scrambling to get the paperwork together which would make the city rather than the company the recipient of a $29 million dollar Harbor Improvement Grant for infrastructure improvements to allow the shipyard to build larger ships.   The grant was announced last January by Governor Tony Evers and the money was included in the state budget signed in July.  The plan was for Marinette Marine to accept the grant directly.  But Dale Samples of Marinette Marine says in putting together the deal, the bonding requirements make it necessary for the grant to go to the city, which will act as a pass-through.

This will require an agreement between the city and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to direct the grant money to the city, and an agreement between the city and Marinette Marine which will make the company responsible for the 20 per cent match for the grant as well as all other costs and fees.  There is some concern that the money could be withdrawn if the paperwork is not done by the end of the year. At this time the plan is for the city council to meet on the 16th or 17th of this month to approve the agreements.