The Maritime Administration (MARAD) will award nearly $20 million through the Small Shipyard Grant Program to help modernize small U.S. shipyards and train their workforce.
The Small Shipyard Grant Program provides grants that can be used to purchase American-made manufacturing equipment or train employees. The program’s goal is to strengthen the economic competitiveness of shipyards and support jobs in the manufacturing base.
“Small shipyards strengthen our maritime industry and communities along and near our nation’s ports and waterways, employing thousands of Americans who ensure we maintain expertise and skills critical to our economic and national security,” Acting Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley said. “In addition to being economic mainstays, U.S. shipyards demonstrate some of the most innovative shipbuilding in the world, and the Small Shipyard Grant Program encourages continued innovation.”
Grant applications for due by 5:00 pm on May 16. Qualifying shipyards have fewer than 1,200 production employees.
“These grants will help strengthen our shipyards and our national supply chains—helping to curb inflation and reduce delays for American consumers,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $19.6 million to 31 small shipyards in 15 states last year. Since it was established in 2008, the program has awarded 299 grants totaling approximately $263 million.