Mark Buzby, U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) administrator, met with U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) earlier this month to discuss economic development, multimodal transportation policy, and other maritime issues.
Reed is the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development and Related Agencies.
Buzby and Reed also toured several shipyards and port facilities in Rhode Island, speaking with business leaders, state officials and marine workers.
MARAD awarded more than $1.1 million in federal funding to Rhode Island shipyards through the Small Shipyard Grant Program in 2017.
“I am proud to secure federal investments to enhance our infrastructure, grow Rhode Island’s economy, and help sustain good-paying jobs,” Reed said. “These federal funds help Rhode Island businesses compete, bringing more jobs and opportunities to the Ocean State. It is great to see these funds being wisely invested here. (shipyards) J. Goodison and Blount Boats are Rhode Island success stories, providing great jobs and a boost to our economy.”
The Small Shipyard Grant Program has awarded nearly $175 million to 169 small shipyards nationwide since 2009. The funds are used to improve efficiency, modernize operations, add new technologies and employee training.
Shipyards contribute $37.3 billion to the nation’s GDP, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.