MarAd starts small shipyard grant program

MarAd starts small shipyard grant program    The U.S. Maritime Administration is accepting applications for federal funds to help small shipyards with improvements to efficiency of their vessel construction and repair activities.
   The agency received $15 million under the 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act to support the program. ($300,000 of the $15 million appropriated funds will be used for program administration.)
   MarAd said the grants could also be used for maritime training programs to improve technical skills and operational productivity in communities whose economies are dependent on the maritime industry.
   However, MarAd noted that grants will not be issued to construct new buildings or to acquire land unless the use is specifically approved by the agency.
   MarAd said it will 'seek to obtain the maximum benefit from the available funding by awarding grants for as many of the most worthy projects as possible.'
   The agency will accept grant applications through Feb. 16, and plans to announce the awards no later than April 15. For more details, access the Federal Register notice.