The US Maritime Administration on Dec. 31 announced the 2016
funding availability for its Small Shipyard Grant Program.
There’s currently $4.9 million available for grants for
capital and related improvements to shipyard facilities that will foster
“efficiency, competitive operations, and quality ship construction, repair, and
reconfiguration,” according to MARAD.
“Potential applicants are advised that it is expected, based
on past experience, that the number of applications will far exceed the funds
available and that only a small percentage of applications will be funded,”
MARAD stated in its announcement.
It’s anticipated that between five and 10 applications will
be selected for funding, with an average grant amount of about $1 million.
Grants under the program can’t be used to construct
buildings or other physical facilities, or to acquire land unless such use is
specifically approved by the Maritime Administration as being consistent with,
and supplemental to, capital and related infrastructure improvements.
Grant funds can be used, however, for maritime training
programs to build technical skills and operational productivity in communities
where the economies are related to or dependent upon the maritime industry.
The period for submitting grant applications began in
mid-December and the deadline for applications is Feb. 16. Grants are expected to
be awarded by April 18.
Complete information about the grant program, including full
submission requirements and the mailing address for grant applications, can be
found in the MARAD funding notice: https://d3dkdvqff0zqx.cloudfront.net/groups/sca/attachments/small%20shipyard%20grants%20nofa%202016.pdf
