The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced the availability of nearly $20 million for small shipyard grants, according to a press release.

“Small shipyards play vital roles in their local economies and our national economy,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

“With these funds, we are helping small shipyards across the country train their workers, modernize their equipment, and improve their operations.”

MARAD’s Small Shipyard Grant Program increases the economic competitiveness of shipyards by providing grants for buying equipment or providing employee training.

Additionally, the 2023 funding can support the purchase of American-made manufacturing equipment that supports a wide range of jobs.

“Small shipyards are essential to the U.S. maritime industry and critical to ensuring that we have a resilient industrial base,” said Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips.

“These shipyards are an economic pillar, strengthening our maritime industry and the communities along and near our nation’s ports and waterways, and employing thousands of Americans, who ensure the nation maintains expertise and skills critical to our economic and national security.”

MARAD’s grant program has awarded 323 grants totaling approximately $282 million since the program was first funded in 2008. The grants are available to U.S. shipyards with less than 1,200 production employees.

In July 2022, the Department of Transportation announced $19.6 million in grant awards to 24 small shipyards in 19 states through the Program.

Applications for grants are due by 5:00 pm EST on February 27, 2023.