The Maritime Administration (Marad) will offer $4.9 million in Federal funding to support capital improvements and employee training at small U.S. shipyards.
The grants are provided through the Small Shipyard Grant Program and intended to promote efficiency and modernization that will help U.S. shipyards better compete in the global marketplace.
“Investments in our shipyards and American workers is critical to ensuring America’s economic growth and global competitiveness,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “These grants support and strengthen both local communities and our national economy.”
Grants are available to support a variety of projects including capital and related improvements, and equipment upgrades that foster ship construction, repair and reconfiguration in small shipyards across the country.
The grants can also be used to support maritime training programs that improve technical skills to enhance shipyard worker efficiency and productivity. The Small Shipyard Grants, which are limited to no more than 75% of the estimated improvement costs, are available to U.S. shipyards with less than 1,200 production employees.
“American shipyards are currently producing some of the most modern and innovative vessels in the world,” said Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen. “They’re also creating quality jobs and supporting economic growth in local communities that complement the immense economic impact of our nation’s ports and waterways.”
Applications for Small Shipyard Grants are due by 5 p.m. EST on Feb. 16, 2016. Marad intends to award grants no later than April 18, 2016. View more details in the Federal Register, or contact David M. Heller at Marad.
