(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that Washington state will receive more than $1.5 million in federal support for four small shipyards in Bellingham, Everett, Port Orchard, and Seattle through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Assistance to Small Shipyards Grant Program.
The grants will enable the shipyards to make vital capital and infrastructure improvements. Murray, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee, was instrumental in providing funding for the program to help support the domestic maritime industry.
Recipients in Washington state are:
- All American Marine of Bellingham, which will receive $285,000 to buy metal-cutting machinery and boat-transfer equipment;
- Everett Shipyard Inc., which will receive $297,036 for work stations and an overhead crane.
- Safe Boats of Port Orchard, which will receive $579,084 to buy and install router tables, information technology system upgrades, and other machinery and equipment;
- And Todd Shipyards of Seattle, which will receive $358,515 to enlarge and renovate their main assembly building.
“I’m thrilled that four Washington state shipyards will get this financial boost to help them make vital capital improvements,” Murray said. “Our small shipyards are a critical piece of our domestic maritime industry – and of Washington state’s economy. Especially while our economy is struggling, these grants are important to help our domestic shipping industry stay strong and competitive.”
In all, 19 small shipyards in maritime communities across the country received a total of $9.8 million through the program this year. Grants cover up to 75 percent of the estimated cost of the project, and the companies are responsible for the remainder.
This is the first year the Assistance to Small Shipyards grants were awarded through the DOT’s Maritime Administration since the program was established under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006.
English 
Spanish