Officials from the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board joined members of the Soy Transportation Coalition on Tuesday in Milwaukee to support the expansion of the DeLong Agricultural Maritime Export Facility, underscoring the importance of strong export infrastructure for Wisconsin farmers.

WSMB and STC contributed a combined $200,000 to the project. The event included a tour of the DeLong facility followed by a ceremonial check presentation at Port Milwaukee.

“This is an exemplary example of what using soybean farmers’ checkoff funds to leverage public funds with private industry to build ag export markets, provide jobs and build Wisconsin’s economic strength,” said Andy Bensend, who serves on the STC board in his role with WSMB.

The investment highlights a continued push to improve the movement of soybeans and other agricultural products from the Midwest to customers around the world. Located at Port Milwaukee on Jones Island, the DeLong Agricultural Maritime Export Facility is part of a public-private effort designed to expand export capacity and improve efficiency for grain and feedstuff shipments. Phase 2 of the project will add storage and equipment so the facility can handle a greater variety and volume of products moving into international markets.

The terminal gives Midwestern farmers direct storage and delivery access to global markets. In addition to handling DDGs, the site can also handle commodities such as soybeans, corn and grain. The facility includes truck and rail access, 45,000 metric tons of storage capacity and the ability to load deep-draft vessels and barges for shipment worldwide.

The ceremonial check event brought together leaders from agriculture, transportation and government, reinforcing the shared goal of building a stronger supply chain that creates more opportunities for Wisconsin farmers and the commodities they produce.

For Wisconsin soybean farmers, investments like this matter because they help strengthen market access and improve the long-term competitiveness of U.S. agriculture.

“We’re thankful of the efforts by the DeLong Company, as well as the state of Wisconsin and the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Commission,” Bensend said. “The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and the Soy Transportation Coalition are proud to join in on this important expansion.

The DeLong Co., a sixth-generation family-owned company headquartered in Clinton, Wisconsin, has said the Milwaukee facility expands trade opportunities for Wisconsin agriculture and connects regional products to destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean.