City Agrees to Participate in Growth at Hydratight Plant

The Antigo Common Council Wednesday agreed to contribute $50,000 toward a major expansion of Hydratight’s Antigo plant—a project that will add jobs and stability to the community’s industrial base.

The action highlighted the council’s December meeting, which proceeded smoothly and with no dissent.

In November, Hydratight announced plans to construct a 16,000 square foot addition to its existing facility located at the northwest corner of Clermont and Ackley streets.

The project will require the relocation of specialized equipment from other Hydratight facilities, allowing for the introduction of a new manufacturing process in Antigo. That will retain existing jobs plus add an additional 10 to 12 well-paying positions. The city’s $50,000 contribution will help defray the costs for moving the equipment.

The dollars will be equally allocated from the city’s Public Improvement Fund and the economic portion of the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund.

Hydratight, a division of Menomonee Falls-based Actuant, manufactures high-end torque and tension bolting equipment for industrial applications. It traces its roots to Sweeney, founded in 1901, and was known for many years as Hydratight Sweeney.