The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration Small Shipyard Grant Program will provide Rhode Island shipyards with $1.1 million in funding for repairs and other improvements.
J. Goodison Co. in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, will receive $635,453 with the remainder going to Blount Boats in Warren, Rhode Island.
J. Goodison will use the funds to purchase scaffolding towers, scissor lifts, boom lifts, and a wash-water-collection and treatment system.
Blount Boats will purchase supplies for its paint shops, explosion-proof lighting, and a 25-ton submersible, self-propelled marine transporter to haul rescue vessels in for maintenance.
“Small shipyards like Blount Boats and J. Goodison Company help provide a big lift to Rhode Island’s economy,” U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) said. “I worked to restore the Small Shipyard Grant Program and secure federal funds for it because it helps these businesses compete to build and service ships here in Rhode Island, bringing more jobs and opportunities to the Ocean State. This was a highly competitive grant process with nearly 100 shipyards requesting federal funds. I am pleased that Rhode Island companies successfully competed for these grants.”
Reed is the ranking member of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. He helped restore the grant program after funding lapsed for two years.