DODD, LIEBERMAN AND COURTNEY ANNOUNCE $1.4 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT FOR THAMES SHIPYARD EXPANSION PROJECT

WASHINGTON, DC –Senator Chris Dodd, Senator Joe Lieberman and Congressman Joe Courtney today announced that the Thames Shipyard Repair Co. in New London has been awarded a $1.4 million grant to be used for a drydock expansion project. The funds were made available through the U.S. Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Assistance to Small Shipyards grant program for Fiscal Year 2010.

“This important grant is a major win for New London and our state: not only will it help improve operations at Thames Shipyard, but will create or sustain nearly a hundred jobs for Connecticut workers,” said Senator Dodd. “This grant represents another example of how federal funds can be smartly invested in our state to support small businesses and save jobs at the same time.”

“Senator Dodd, Congressman Courtney, and I worked hard to secure this funding because of the positive ripple effect it will have across the New London area,” said Senator Lieberman.  “Not only will the money support the improvement of this historic shipyard, it will help create and sustain jobs and lead to a more efficient and productive workforce.”

“This is exciting news not only for the Thames Shipyard, but for the entire region,” stated Congressman Courtney. “The impact of these funds is far-reaching and overwhelmingly positive. This grant will allow the shipyard to expand its business, create jobs and keep the local economy competitive.”

“We are extremely grateful to MARAD and our Congressional delegation for their support in obtaining this award for our project.  Upgrading and expanding this drydock is critical in order to bid on jobs that we currently have to turn away due to capacity limitations.  This project, which will be completed in Connecticut employing Connecticut residents will ensure that Thames Shipyard remains competitive in its industry,” stated John P. Wronowski, president of Thames Shipyard & Repair Company. 

This new federal funding will be used to improve and expand its Number Two drydock in order to achieve greater capacity in the size and type of vessels it is able to service.   Thames Shipyard officials estimate that the project will immediately create up to ten new jobs while sustaining 86 existing jobs. Thames Shipyard Repair Co. builds and repairs vessels for several organizations in the region including the U.S. Navy, Electric Boat, the Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket Steamship Authority, Cross Sound Ferry, and Block Island Ferry.

Dodd, Lieberman and Courtney were joined by Reps. Rosa DeLauro, John Larson and Chris Murphy in sending a letter to the Department of Transportation in strong support of this investment and the impact it would have on the region and state.  Click here to read that letter.

Under the Assistance to Small Shipyards program, MARAD awards these grants based on how a specific project will foster efficiency, competitive operations, and quality ship repair, construction and reconfiguration as well as improve employee skills and enhance productivity.

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