The Harbor Assistance Program (HAP) is a Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) initiative designed to provide financial support to harbor facilities along the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. Established in 1979, the program aims to maintain and improve infrastructure critical to waterborne commerce, ensuring that ports remain viable for economic activity. Eligible projects include activities like dredging, constructing or repairing dock walls, managing dredged materials, and other harbor improvements that enhance commercial transportation. Administered under Wisconsin Statutes Section 85.095 and Chapter TRANS 28 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, HAP ensures Wisconsin’s ports can efficiently support commercial operations.

Funding under the program may cover up to 80% of eligible project costs. If the project involves U.S. Army Corps of Engineers financing, HAP can fund up to 50% of the required local share. To qualify for funding, projects must serve facilities used for cargo transfer, shipbuilding, commercial fishing, or passenger ferry services. Additionally, projects must be part of a current three-year Harbor Development Plan and pass a benefit-cost analysis demonstrating economic feasibility. Evaluation criteria prioritize economic impact, project urgency, and the type of project, with a preference for maintenance activities.

Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, towns, boards of harbor commissioners, federally recognized tribal governing bodies, and private harbor facility owners. The program is open to harbors that handle over 1,000 tons of commercial cargo annually, host shipbuilding activities, provide ferry services connecting Wisconsin communities or other states, or serve as sites for commercial fishing. To be eligible, applicants must submit a three-year Harbor Statement of Intentions endorsed by the appropriate governing body by April 1 before the application date. Applications must demonstrate compliance with state statutes, local plans, and program guidelines.

Applications are due by August 1 and must include detailed information about the project, such as descriptions of work, cost estimates, funding sources, ownership details, and supporting documentation. Applicants are required to provide nine hard copies and an electronic version of all materials, including plans, drawings, maps, and economic impact analyses. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. The evaluation process includes a benefit-cost analysis to confirm that the project provides more benefits than costs, a critical factor in determining funding eligibility.

Projects selected for funding are formalized through a grant agreement between WisDOT and the applicant. These agreements outline performance measures, funding commitments, and requirements for continued maintenance and operation. Work must commence by December 31 of the year of the grant award, or the funding will be rescinded. Applicants not selected for funding may reapply during future funding cycles. Grant recipients are required to maintain detailed project records and submit periodic progress reports to WisDOT.

HAP encourages applicants to provide supplemental materials, such as environmental assessments, engineering reports, and economic studies, to strengthen their applications. These materials help verify the project’s compliance with environmental and operational regulations. For more information, applicants can consult the program guidelines or contact program representatives, such as Mike Halsted or Lisa Stern at WisDOT, for assistance.

The Harbor Assistance Program (HAP), managed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), supports harbor facilities along the Great Lakes and Mississippi River by funding projects that improve or maintain waterborne commerce. Established in 1979, the program aims to ensure Wisconsin’s harbors remain efficient hubs for commercial and economic activity. Eligible projects include dredging, constructing and repairing dock walls, managing dredged materials, and other harbor infrastructure improvements that facilitate cargo handling and waterborne operations. These projects are critical to the movement of goods and economic development in harbor communities.

HAP grants can finance up to 80% of eligible project costs. If the project includes financing from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the program can fund up to 50% of the required local match. Projects must align with the objectives of Wisconsin's harbor development plans and undergo a rigorous benefit-cost analysis to demonstrate their economic impact. Evaluation criteria prioritize maintenance projects, economic benefits, project urgency, and tonnage of cargo moved through the harbor. Projects must also meet statutory requirements and be listed in a three-year Harbor Development Plan approved by the appropriate governing body.