Senator Collins Attends Front Street Shipyard Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Click HERE for a high-resolution photo of Senator Collins with Paul Andersen (L), CEO of Androscoggin Savings Bank, and JB Turner (R), President of Front Street Shipyard
Belfast, ME – U.S. Senator Susan Collins attended the Front Street Shipyard ribbon cutting ceremony for Building 6, the company’s new 22,000 square foot facility. During the event, Senator Collins delivered brief remarks and toured the new building.
“Since its founding seven years ago, Front Street Shipyard has played a key role in the transformation of the City of Belfast, with the two thriving together as a result of public and private partnerships and committed citizens,” said Senator Collins. “In addition to building the finest boats in the world, Maine boatyards help to preserve the working waterfronts that are so vital to our state’s heritage and future. Their leadership in environmental protection, workforce development, and workplace safety are exemplary. I was honored to attend this event and to congratulate all of the dedicated workers at Front Street Shipyard on this outstanding accomplishment.”
“My partners, employees and I are all grateful to everyone who’s made Front Street Shipyard's growth possible since we started the yard in 2011. We’ve had help from the Belfast City Council, Androscoggin Bank, MTI, and SBA to secure the land and funding for our new building. And we’ve had tremendous support from Senator Collins in finding both regional and federal resources to develop our business and grow our team of craftspeople,” said JB Turner, president and general manager of Front Street Shipyard. “We hope to give back to Maine’s economy by helping to establish our state as a globally recognized destination for yachts and their crews.”
Established in 2011, Front Street Shipyard provides marine clients in Maine and beyond with boatbuilding and related services, such as new builds, boat refitting, repairs, and maintenance. The yard’s team of more than 100 experienced boat service professionals use both advanced composite construction and traditional boat building techniques.
In July, Senator Collins, the Chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that Front Street Shipyard received $667,028 through the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Small Shipyard Grant Program. The funding assisted the shipyard in purchasing and installing a new waterjet cutting machine on its premises to construct modern, lightweight carbon fiber ferries. This machine will allow the company to attract diverse projects, including non-marine applications, and will create approximately 40 new jobs. Senators Collins and Angus King (I-ME) sent a letter to MARAD in support of Front Street Shipyard’s grant application in May 2018.
