The Village of Pleasant Prairie is collaborating with Balcan USA Inc., a polyethylene film manufacturer located at 7201 108th Street in LakeView Corporate Park, on a rail spur project that will support business growth and job creation. The project is supported by a $400,000 Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) Grant awarded by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) in May 2022.
The estimated $2.25 million project will improve freight access by connecting the Balcan facility to the Union Pacific Railroad mainline. Once complete, the rail spur will enable Balcan to receive raw materials by rail, reducing truck traffic and supporting long-term manufacturing capacity.
As required by the TEA Grant, the Village will manage procurement and construction in accordance with municipal policies, including a competitive bidding process. Balcan will assume full financial responsibility for the project, including all construction-related costs, long-term maintenance, and compliance with job creation requirements. The Village will retain ownership of the infrastructure until all grant conditions are met, after which ownership may be transferred to Balcan.
The project includes the construction of approximately 1,994 feet of track and related rail switches. Execution of the project requires coordination and agreements among multiple parties, including Union Pacific Railroad, That’s a Wrap (WI) LLC (landowner), and Balcan USA Inc. (tenant).
Balcan currently operates in a 215,000-square-foot facility at the rail spur site and recently received Village approval for a 15,250-square-foot building addition. The expansion includes space for new production equipment and is expected to support the addition of 83 new full-time employees working across four shifts.