Florida shipyards awarded MarAd grants

Florida shipyards awarded MarAd grants    Two Florida companies were among the 19 small shipyards awarded $9.8 million in U.S. Maritime Administration grants as part of its new 'Assistance to Small Shipyards' program.
   The grant program was set up under the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2006 and funded in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008.
   'Small shipyards are vitally important for the health of the maritime industry, and for the economy of the nation,' said Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton.
   The purpose of the grants is to make capital and infrastructure improvements that facilitate the efficiency, cost-effectiveness and quality of domestic ship construction, conversion or repair for commercial and federal government use. The grants cover a maximum of 75 percent of the estimated cost of improvements; the companies are responsible for the remainder.
   Eastern Shipbuilding Group of Panama City, was awarded $436,274 for metal cutting equipment and a computer system.
   Gulf Marine Repair Corp., of Tampa, received $487,630 for four cranes, two electric plate rollers and other manufacturing equipment.