UW-Green Bay port study discussed at Global Trade Conference

UW-Green Bay was well represented at the annual Global Trade Conference event Tuesday, April 7, at the KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay.

The University had a general information booth at the conference and Prof. Ray Hutchison, Urban and Regional Studies chair, along with two students, worked a booth for the Brown County Port.

Hutchison is being assisted by Business Administration majors Ryan Vandeyacht and Andrew Flick on a feasibility study for the Port of Green Bay to see if there is regional support for developing a local container-shipping facility.

The project, called the Great Lakes Marine Container Service Feasibility Study, is currently conducting an analysis of commodity flows in the region. UW-Green Bay researchers will soon move to surveying importers and exporters in the region, many of whom were at Tuesday’s conference.

The Great Lakes have not supported container cargo for decades — the emphasis now is on bulk commodities — but with more businesses “going global” the potential for its return is being analyzed. Hutchison said the results so far have been “promising” despite tough economic times.

“Companies are positioning themselves to be in a better position for success when the economy rebounds,” Hutchison said.

For background, a related story and video can be seen here.