The following is text of a news release from the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA):
(WASHINGTON) — The Shipbuilders Council of America on Wednesday applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MarAd), U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, and MarAd Administrator Mark Buzby for awarding more than $20 million in federal grants to provide support for capital and related improvements in small shipyards and training projects for workers in the shipbuilding industry throughout the United States.
“These grants are integral to fostering a highly trained and skilled work force that is not only essential to the U.S. shipbuilding and repair industry but also to our country’s economy and national security. More efficient and sustainable shipyards are critical to maintaining a robust maritime sector that ensures the position of the United States throughout the world. We applaud the U.S. Maritime Administration for supporting small shipyards across our nation,” said Matthew Paxton, president of the SCA.
The grants, provided through the Small Shipyard Grant Program, help eligible shipyards modernize operations, improve efficiency and reap the benefits of increased productivity by investing in emerging technologies and a highly skilled work force.It has created more than 400,000 family-waged jobs and more than $37 billion in U.S. GDP.
The following SCA member yards were awarded a combined $5,347,274 through the Small Shipyard Grant Program:
• Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport LLC in Lockport, La.
• Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. of Salisbury, Md.
• Fincantieri Marine Group LLC, dba Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
• Gravois Aluminum Boats LLC in Jeanerette, La.
• Marine Hydraulics International Inc. in Norfolk, Va.
• Master Boat Builders Inc. in Bayou La Batre, Ala.
• Sause Bros. Inc., dba Southern Oregon Marine Inc. in Coos Bay, Ore.