The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration announced approximately $20 million in federal funding is available for upgrades to small shipyards and train yards across the nation.
According to an April 6 U.S. Department of Transportation news release, the Small Shipyard Grant Program is designed to boost small yards with the funding to purchase equipment and train employees.
“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 the news release.
According to the release, the program awarded $19.6 million to 31 small shipyards in 15 states last year. Lessley noted America’s shipyards also drive innovation in shipbuilding, and the grants promote those efforts.
Moreover, the release noted using these funds to buy equipment made in America will drive growth throughout the country’s manufacturing sector.
In the release, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg noted the country’s shipyards are key to economic growth, and the grants will boost the American supply chain. The release also noted the grants help drive President Joe Biden’s efforts to increase domestic manufacturing, with the economy creating 423,000 manufacturing jobs since the president took office.
