Maritime Administration Information Related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed into law by President Obama on February 17th, 2009. It is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike any since the Great Depression, and includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.

Implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act)

Under the terms of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Maritime Administration received $100 million for the Small Shipyards Grant Program, which had been funded at $10 million in 2008. This program provides 75 percent federal funds with 25 percent matching funds from the shipyard for capital improvements and related infrastructure improvements which will foster efficiency, competitive operations and quality ship construction and repair. Grant funds may also be used for maritime training programs to foster technical skills and operational productivity.  

On July 22, 2009, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood issued this statement: "In reviewing the $98 million small shipyard grant program, I have determined that the process used to evaluate the applications was incomplete.

"We are instituting a process that complies with the statutory instruction to consider the economic conditions of the communities where these shipyards are located. This will include examining the unemployment rate and other available economic data. We will go back and review every application and give applicants the opportunity to provide additional information if necessary.

"We will meet our August 17 deadline for distributing these Recovery Act dollars to shipyards around the country."

Recipients of the regular Small Shipyard grants were announced on July 9, 2009. and are listed on the news release.

Under a new Recovery Act program, up to $1.5 billion was made available through September 30, 2011, for the Secretary of Transportation to make grants on a competitive basis for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure projects that will have a significant impact on the Nation, a metropolitan area, or a region.  Projects eligible for funding provided under this program include and port infrastructure investments.  More information on the discretionary grants is available on the Department of Transportation's Recovery web site.

The Department published a notice for this program in the Federal Register on Monday, May 18, 2009, which announces funding availability, project selection criteria, application requirements, and the deadline for submitting applications, which is September 15, 2009.  View the Federal Register notice.

Questions about this program can be addressed to TIGERGrants@dot.gov.

Agency Plans and Reports

The deadline for applications has passed.  Recipients will be announced by August 17, 2009. More information is available on the Maritime Administration Small Shipyard Grants site.  

Learn More About Our Programs

The Maritime Administration is the agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation dealing with waterborne transportation. Its programs promote the use of waterborne transportation and its seamless integration with other segments of the transportation system, and the viability of the U.S. merchant marine. The Maritime Administration works in many areas involving ships and shipping, shipbuilding, port operations, vessel operations, national security, environment, and safety. The Maritime Administration is also charged with maintaining the health of the merchant marine, since commercial mariners, vessels, and intermodal facilities are vital for supporting national security, and so the agency provides support and information for current mariners, extensive support for educating future mariners, and programs to educate America's young people about the vital role the maritime industry plays in the lives of all Americans.