Marinette waits on Navy decision

MARINETTE - Residents in the Marinette/Menominee area are waiting anxiously to find out if Marinette Marine will be awarded a major contract for the U.S. Navy.

Marinette Marine is competing with a company from Alabama to build 10 littoral combat ships, or LCS, for the U.S. Navy. The contract decision was initially expected to be made in June or July. However, there's still no word on when the contract will be announced.

"We were supposed to hear about it three months ago," said Helen Parrette, a Marinette business owner. "We're all waiting to hear because we need this contract bad."

Mary Johns with the Marinette-Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce said anxious residents are likely going to have to wait a little longer for an announcement.

"I am told that it's not going to happen in the next few weeks, but that could change," said Johns.

Each LCS costs several hundred million dollars to build. The contract would create at least 1,000 new jobs at Marinette Marine, plus an estimated thousands of more jobs for suppliers and vendors in the region.

Marinette Marine officials declined FOX 11's request for an interview for this story. Earlier this year, however, the company's CEO Richard McCreary said the contract could go either way.

Marinette Marine is in the process of building its second LCS for the U.S. Navy.

"I don't think it's a make or break," said Jack Clark, who works in Marinette. "I think they'll keep going if they don't get it but I think it'd be nice for them and the area if they do get it."

If the contract does go to Marinette Marine, it will provide stability in the area for years to come.