Senator Jack Reed visited Blount Boats, Inc. on Friday to announce the award of a federal grant worth $937,933, which will be used to purchase a new hydraulic boat lift that will further bolster the shipbuilder’s capabilities and efficiency.

The grant comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Small Shipyard Grant Program, which was re-funded through legislative efforts led by Reed in 2016. Blount was one of two dozen shipyards nationwide to receive a piece of a total of $19.6 million in grants distributed through the program this year.

“I restored the Small Shipyard Grant Program and continue delivering annual federal funds for it because it helps our shipyards compete, increases productivity, and expands employment opportunities,” Reed, a senior member of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD), and Senate Appropriations Committee, said. “This was a highly competitive grant process and I commend Blount Boats for putting together a successful application. I know they will put these funds to work increasing production and bringing more shipbuilding jobs and opportunities to Rhode Island for years to come.”

Blount Boats, founded in 1949, has made headlines in recent months for their foray into the offshore wind industry. They are under contract by the United States American Offshore Services (A-O-S) to construct four crew transfer vehicles (CTVs) that will be used to facilitate the transportation of technicians in the construction of various offshore wind energy projects along the eastern shore for Vineyard Wind, Ørsted, and Siemens between 2023 and 2024.

“Thank you, Jack! We truly appreciate Senator Reed’s successful effort to restore the Small Shipyard Grant Program,” said Marcia Blount, President and CFO of Blount Boats. “The new equipment awarded on the 2022 MARAD Grant will definitely increase productivity and expand employment as we continue to build the vessels for the offshore wind industry.”

The grant will be utilized to purchase a new hydraulic lift with a telescopic boom arm, known as a “telehandler”, as well as two new three-ton overhead cranes, a forklift, and four scissor lifts.

The announcement of the grant comes as Blount is also in the midst of an effort to grow the manufacturing capabilities of their shipyard through an expansion of their fabrication facility along their waterfront property — which will be the subject of a site visit by the Zoning Board today at 6 p.m.

“Small shipyards like Blount Boats provide a big lift to Rhode Island’s economy and America’s commercial fleet and I’m proud to deliver this federal grant to help Blount Boats make capital investments in new equipment,” Reed said. “Shipbuilding has changed a lot over the years and I am committed to ensuring Rhode Island’s shipyards have the modern equipment, technologies, and workforce they need to compete, thrive, and serve America’s commercial fleet and public safety and military vessels now and in the future.”