A renovation project at a local mining company could bring in more money to a village struggling financially.

An Illinois based company, Fairmount Minerals, plans to build a new sand transport station near the intersection of Highways 25 and 170 in Wheeler.

That's near Menomonie.

Steve King, Vice President of Fairmount Minerals, says his company will soon transport sand from Menomonie to the new center in Wheeler.

From there it'll be taken by train to various destinations around the country.

According to the agreement, the Willage will get 12 cents for every ton of sand moved. It's a deal Village leaders hope will revitalize the area.

There's not a lot to see in the tiny town of Wheeler.

A gas station, a handful of houses and a dusty stretch of Highway 170.

Steve Crites says a new deal with Fairmount Minerals will help the struggling town.

Village Board President Steve Crites says, "Without something happening, we're dying and we're struggling to make it financially."

Crites says the plan calls for the Village to tear down the old feed mill to make room for the renovations, something he's excited about.

Steve Crites says, "It hasn't been in operation for many years and it's really a decrepit old building that has lots of drawbacks."

Fairmount Minerals will then construct two buildings next to the railroad.

One of them will be built over a side railroad track that connects to the main system.

Steve Crites says, "It's going to contain noise and there's not going to be much dust because everything is contained."

But Crites says he also knows it'll increase the amount of traffic noise in the area, when trucks go between Menomonie and Wheeler, causing concern with people living here.

Steve Crites says, "I'm sure there's going to be some people not happy that there's more traffic, more anything going on, but on the other hand there's going to be a tremendous benefit we believe to the village."

Fairmount Mineral's reputation as being a friendly neighbor, Crites says, is a crucial benefit to the community.

Steve Crites says, "If the community has a little project they need financial help with, they're going to help."

Crites says the Village stands to make about $25 thousand per year from the transport site.

He doesn't know what the Village will do with the extra money yet.
He says he has some ideas, but will form a committee at the next board meeting to hear input from others.

We talked to Steve King, the Vice President for Fairmount Minerals this afternoon.

He says the company is excited to be working with the Village of Wheeler and construction should begin in early July.