Austal Facility Breaking Ground Today

Mobile-based Austal USA plans to break ground for its new steel shipbuilding facility downtown this afternoon, Business Alabama reports. Local and state dignitaries are expected to be on hand for the event. Plans for the facility have been in the works since last August, when the federal government allocated $50 million to help the defense contractor expand capabilities to the construction of steel ships. With a total investment of $100 million, the new facility will help it diversify from aluminum construction as it continues to pursue U.S. Navy contracts. It will also allow the shipbuilder to launch the vessels it makes, provide more waterfront berthing for future new construction and deepwater berthing contracts, and expand its ship repair capability into other markets (Austal Details Expansion).