Schumer, Gillibrabd, Owens Announce Metalcraft Marine to Receive Over $1.9 Million U.S. Coast Guard Contract to Produce Two Large Vessels in Cape Vincent - Investment Will Spur Further Expansion, Job Growth for North Country Boat Manufacturer

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Bill Owens announced that MetalCraft Marine has won an $1,900,000 federal contract with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to produce two 44-foot boats. These state-of-the-art vessels will be crafted at MetalCraft Marine's new location in Cape Vincent, which Senator Schumer visited in February 2012 and Gillibrand visited in July 2012. Schumer, Gillibrand and Owens lauded federal support for MetalCraft Marine, because they are a top-flight boat manufacturer and key part of the North Country economy. MetalCraft Marine plans to hire five more employees at their Cape Vincent facility in order to accommodate this project, which will increase their workforce in Cape Vincent to 22 employees.

"This significant federal contract will help MetalCraft Marine's production and job growth shift into high gear, which will serve as a boost for the North Country economy," said Senator Schumer. "MetalCraft Marine has served as an invaluable small business in Jefferson County that produces huge results in the North American commercial boat industry, and this federal contract with the Coast Guard will further solidify that reputation. This contract demonstrates that MetalCraft's hard work and delivery of a top-rate product has paid off, and will allow the company to produce two large vessels for the U.S. Coast Guard. I am pleased to have pushed the Coast Guard to invest in MetalCraft Marine, which will allow the North Country manufacturer to flourish, create jobs and make waves from coast to coast."

"Even in the face of a tough economy, the North Country's high quality small businesses like MetalCraft Marine are attracting strong contracts that can support new jobs, and help strengthen our local economy," Senator Gillibrand said. "I know MetalCraft Marine's potential to take their operations to the next level, deliver a new fleet of cutting-edge vessels for the Coast Guard, and create more good-paying jobs in the process."

"In my visits and interactions with MetalCraft Marine I have been consistently impressed with the work they do, and I am glad to see they have been awarded this significant contract with the Coast Guard." said Congressman Owens. "This award will mean good jobs for the region and new activity for a great Jefferson County business. I congratulate the leadership at MetalCraft and wish them continued success."

In February 2012, Schumer toured MetalCraft Marine and vowed to push for federal investments and contracts such as this one, in order for the company to grow. MetalCraft Marine Inc. was established in 1987 and the company began its work in the patrol and workboat market. MetalCraft was readily accepted in the commercial marketplace and began to work closely with key government procurement agencies. Since that time, MetalCraft has carved a name for itself in the North American commercial boat industry, particularly in the designing and building of high speed patrol as well as search and rescue boats. MetalCraft's boats have been used by the U.S. Navy for the Force Protection Program and have served in the War on Iraq. MetalCraft focuses its mission on providing a high-quality product with an extensive warranty promise at competitive costs.

In 2007, MetalCraft opened a facility in Clayton, New York that builds specialty boats for the U.S. Navy and the New York State Pilots Association. MetalCraft Marine U.S. Inc. are currently building prototype test boats for the U.S. Coast Guard that could result in a contract for one hundred boats over seven years and have recently commenced building a pilot boat for Key West, Florida. Schumer noted that, based on all of its success and this expansion, MetalCraft has outgrown its facility in Clayton and will be transferring production to a much larger facility in Cape Vincent, where this Coast Guard contract will be executed.

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