Kilmer Announces Nearly $1 Million for Small Shipyards in Bremerton and Tacoma
TACOMA, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has awarded nearly $1 million in federal funding through the Fiscal Year 2024 Small Shipyard Grant Program to two organizations in Washington’s Sixth District. This investment includes nearly $400,000 for Inventech Marine Solutions in Bremerton and more than $578,000 for Motive Power Marine in Tacoma.
Earlier this year, Rep. Kilmer wrote to Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips in support of both Inventech Marine Solutions’ application and Motive Power Marine’s application for federal funding through the program.
“In our region, the maritime industry in general - and local shipyards in particular - mean jobs and economic development,” said Rep. Kilmer. “I’m thrilled to help secure new federal investments in both Tacoma and Bremerton, which will support the growth of small shipyards and sustain and create good jobs. I’ll keep working to support the maritime industry and the future of our region’s economy.
“Small shipyards are integral to the strength of America’s supply chains and the maritime industry” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With the grants announced today, The Biden-Harris Administration is delivering funding that will create jobs in cities and towns across the country, strengthen our commercial fleet, and add power to our national economy.”
“Continued investment in our small shipyards enables them to acquire the cutting-edge technologies needed to remain competitive elements of America’s maritime industry,” remarked Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips. “These grants stimulate economic development by boosting opportunities for good jobs in the communities where shipyards are located.”
The funding for Inventech Marine Solutions will support the consolidation of various maritime activities into a singular facility by facilitating the purchase of new manufacturing equipment to meet their current growth rate, including an electric clean paint booth, as well as 2 10-ton and 2-5 ton overhead bridge cranes. This will enable Inventech to create new jobs and meet the growing needs of the maritime industry on the Kitsap Peninsula.
“Inventech Marine Solutions is blessed and excited to be selected by MARAD for the 2024 Shipyard grant funds available. These funds will be used to continue to grow the opportunities in Kitsap County for employment and world class manufacturing / refit. With our new 60,000 SF manufacturing facility completing fall 2024, the grant funds will provide new modern equipment expanding the operational capabilities for the Kitsap County region. This will grow the economic development and continue to showcase Kitsap County as a marine industry hub in Washington state.” – Inventech Marine Solutions CEO, Micah Bowers
The funding for Motive Power Marine will support efforts to perform electrical upgrades at their shipyard, including the acquisition of an air compressor and a telehandler machine, which will increase their efficiency in serving customers. The project will reduce the facility’s diesel fuel consumption by nearly 50,000 gallons each year, reducing Motive Power Marine’s environmental footprint in the Tacoma area.
“We are very thankful for our Congressional delegation’s continued support on our Tacoma facility electrification project, which will support Washington State shipyard jobs and reduce our environmental footprint by an estimated 20,000 gallons of diesel fuel each year,” said Motive Power Marine President, J.D. Schultz. “This grant means a lot to small businesses like ours and can help transform our operation to provide more competitive vessel repair services as well as reduce our dependence on fossil fuel.”
In this round of funding, MARAD awarded a total $8.75 million in funding to 15 small shipyards in 12 states. These funds will help shipyards modernize, increase productivity, and expand local job opportunities while competing in the global marketplace. Supporting these types of projects drives efficiency, competitive operations, and quality ship construction, repair, and reconfiguration across the industry. Since 2008, MARAD’s Small Shipyard Grant Program has awarded $311.7 million in 365 grants to nearly 200 shipyards in 33 states and territories throughout the U.S.
More information on MARAD’s Small Shipyard Grant program is available on MARAD’s website here.
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