Moran Iron Works wants to establish high wire corridor from Rogers City to Onaway

The Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners agreed to submit a notice of intent to apply for Community Development Block grant funds for the establishment of a proposed freight corridor from Onaway to Rogers City. The county will submit the application to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which would benefit Moran Irons Works.

Moran Irons Works (MIW), located just inside the Cheboygan County line, has its primary employee base in Presque Isle County. MIW wants to transport large structural components from its facility to the deep port at Calcite, but the items are too large to pass under the low wires along M-68.

?MORAN IRON has an opportunity to make very large structural needs for power plants and very large industrial facilities,? said Mary Ann Heidemann, County Development Commission director, appearing before the Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners. As a part of MIW?s rece

nt 60,000 square foot expansion, the company installed two 30-ton cranes, increasing lifting capacity and maneuverability. MIW states in its letter to the CDC that ?this allows for huge scale fabrication contracts to be done completely in-house.?

The estimated cost of raising 191 utility and cable lines, to allow the loads to pass underneath, would be approximately $440,000. But if the project can be completed, MIW would commit to hiring 40 additional employees. It already employ 40 workers, 28 of which are skilled certified craftsman. MIW?s commitment to the grant application would be $40,000, or 10 percent.

?THE REASON MEDC is interested in funding $400,000 is because there?s a job creation potential.,? said Heidemann. Heidemann said some of the wires ?might not need to be raised, some of them might be put in the ground.? MIW holds dual certifications with the American Institute of Steel Construction for both structural steel and simple bridge construction. The equipment, if its shipped out of Calcite, could then be sent anywhere in the midwest. ?What this project also would do is be a part of diversifying the port at Rogers City and have different kinds of industrial operations in and out of the port,? said Heidemann. ?Ultimately it would be good for the entire region.? by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor