NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI – U.S. Senator Jack Reed today announced a new $504,000 federal grant for the J. Goodison Co. shipyard at the Quonset Business Park.  The federal funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2020 Maritime Administration Small Shipyards Grant program, which Senator Reed led efforts to fund.

The $504,238 federal grant will be used by J. Goodison to modernize equipment and purchase a U.S.-built 80-ton rough terrain crane.  This crane will help all shipyard operations, and it will replace a 30-year old crane with less than half the capacity.

“This is good news for Rhode Island’s maritime industry.  It will help generate more jobs and economic opportunities by increasing the shipyard’s capacity and efficiency at Quonset.  Small shipyards like J. Goodison make big contributions to our economy by building and maintaining the vessels that drive our economy.  We’ve got to keep them competitive.  I will continue working to bring investment to Rhode Island’s ports, shipbuilders, and shipyards,” said Senator Reed, the Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee.  Senator Reed led efforts to restore funding for the Small Shipyard program after it lapsed for several years, and Senator Reed helped secure $20 million for the program in the 2020 Appropriations law.

In 2018, Senator Reed brought MARAD Administrator Rear Admiral Mark H. “Buz” Buzby to Rhode Island to tour the facility and sent a letter in support of J. Goodison’s application earlier this year.

“With all the essential services J. Goodison provides to our government and commercial customers, this grant will help us become even more efficient and safe with a new U.S.-built crane,” said Jack Goodison, President and CEO of J. Goodison Co. “We thank Senator Reed for his leadership and persistent support for this project.”

J. Goodison Company, Inc. is a small commercial shipyard located at Quonset Point in North Kingstown, RI.  And, with over 100, employees and support contractors, the facility is considered an essential service due to the support it provides to its customers, which range from commercial fishing vessels, tugs, barges to U.S. Government, Coast Guard, and military vessels.

MARAD’s Small Shipyard Grant Program is designed to support small shipyard projects that make capital and related improvements or provide training for workers in shipbuilding, ship repair, and associated industries.