Economic Impact

Companies involved in Wisconsin’s sand mining industry employ thousands in family-supporting jobs and are making significant, multimillion-dollar investments in areas across Wisconsin, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in overall economic impact to the state and in local communities.

The positive economic impact of the sand mining industry is very visible in communities where mining and processing operations are ongoing. When a company begins operations, workers are needed to operate equipment, process raw materials, transport the product to the processing facilities and distribution centers, and work in other key steps involved in mining and processing operations. Additionally, local contractors are helping build facilities, fuel supply companies are fueling mining operations and workers who were once unemployed now have full-time, family-supporting jobs.

Another one of the major economic benefits of sand mining in Wisconsin has been the positive impact it has had on the state’s rail and trucking industries. These industries play a central role in sand mining operations, and the increase in mining in the state has given the rail and trucking industries a significant boost.

The job creation associated with sand mining in turn creates new tax revenues, especially on a local level. Building a new facility and hiring employees generates more revenues for local governments, and county governments also reap significant benefits from increased property tax revenues. It’s fair to project that responsible sand mining is generating millions of dollars in new tax revenues, which helps take some of the pressure off local property taxpayers.