MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) – As Fincantieri Marinette Marine receives a nearly $800 million contract to build out a new frigate for the US Navy, local officials are looking at the larger impact on the economy around the area.
There were five companies originally vying for the contract – which could ultimately result in $5.5 billion for Marinette Marine if all options are exercised. Congressman Mike Gallagher has been working with naval and federal leaders for years to promote the abilities of local shipbuilders.
“The best selling point for Marinette is the people that work in that shipyard. And I think once they saw that, they recognized that we could build the best possible warship going forward,” Gallagher tells the WTAQ Morning News with Matt and Earl, “Incredibly cool, something that we should all be very proud of. And credit to all of the workers, the men and women that walk through the gates of that shipyard each and every day – this is really a testament to their skill and their hard work.”
Building a Navy ship isn’t an easy task, and usually needs a few extra hands to get things done. Gallagher expects the program to bring in jobs to the area.
“The early estimate is that this will create 5,600 additional jobs, all in. And more importantly, as a matter of national security – this means that right here in Northeast Wisconsin, we are going to be building the future naval fleet.”
But those jobs aren’t all coming at the shipyard. Gallagher points out the impact the contract will have on other businesses around Northeast Wisconsin that provide parts or other equipment for the work being done on the ships.
“It really is a massive win, not only for Marinette, but for all of Northeast Wisconsin,” Gallagher says, “There are hundreds, if not thousands of medium sized businesses that are the backbone of our economy in Northeast Wisconsin that stand to benefit immensely from this program.”
This isn’t just a big deal for Northeast Wisconsin and the economic boost the businesses will see in our area. The introduction of a new line of ships could create a significant push to revitalize the shipbuilding industry as a whole.
“We’ve seen a decline in commercial ship building over the past few decades, and a reduction in the overall number of shipyards we have – which is why it’s so important to keep the seven we have alive, in particular one right here in the heart of the Midwest,” Gallagher says, “We saved this shipyard for the next two decades, and we’re going to be leading the way for shipbuilding.”
Gallagher also believes the ships will have an influence on the global stage as well.
“This is precisely the type of ship that we are going to need in order to counter a rising China,” Gallagher says, “And honestly, this could lead to a shipbuilding renaissance globally. This is the type of ship that a lot of our allies will be looking to buy, so if we get this right over the next few years, it could really have a huge strategic impact.”
