Blount Boats wins $508,927 federal grant
Money will be used for infrastructure improvements
Warren’s Blount Boats has won a $508,927 federal grant to improve its infrastructure and help it more easily service United States Coast Guard vessels.
Sen. Jack Reed announced the grant earlier this month. It is is one of two Rhode Island-based grants totalling $1.14 million made possible by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Small Shipyard Grant Program.
Blount Boats will use the federal funds to help the company purchase a 25-ton submersible, self-propelled marine transporter to haul Coast Guard rescue vessels due for maintenance and repair, explosion-proof lighting, a blasting system, belt sander and plate roller that will help the company make needed improvements to its hull and paint shops. The project also includes creating a series of work stations.
All of the improvements will help the shipyard increase efficiencies in its production capability and operations, Sen. Reed said in a statement.
“Small shipyards like Blount Boats … help provide a big lift to Rhode Island’s economy,” he said. The grant program “helps these businesses compete to build and service ships here in Rhode Island, bringing more jobs and opportunities to the Ocean State. This was a highly competitive grant process with nearly 100 shipyards requesting federal funds.”
The other Rhode Island shipyard to receive funds through the grant program is J. Goodison Company in North Kingstown. That company will receive $635,453 to purchase a water collection and treatment system, along with new lifts and scaffolding towers.
