Marinette Marine Corp. is expanding

MARINETTE (AP) - Marinette Marine Corp. is getting more production space.

The owner of Marinette Marine Corp. has started expanding its ship erection building.

Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A says it marks the start of the second phase of its five-year, $100 million plan to modernize its U.S. shipyards and support the construction of the Navy's littoral combat ship and other projects.

The work will nearly double production space for Marinette Marine's two large construction bays.

Fincantieri bought Bay Shipbuilding and Marinette Marine Corp. in early 2009 from the Manitowoc Co.