Marinette Marine launches USS Fort Worth

MARINETTE - Marinette Marine launched its latest ship for the Navy, but no approval yet for building more ships.

After 20 months on land, the 3,000 ton vessel has finally found its home on the water.

Marinette Marine and Lockheed Martin launched its latest battleship for the Navy, unveiling the 380-foot USS Fort Worth. But approval to build more in Marinette is facing a holdup in Congress.

After 20 months on land, the 3,000 ton vessel has finally found its home on the water. Hundreds came out for the launch of the USS Fort Worth, which is 80% complete and built right here at Marinette Marine.

"This particular project kept over 600 people employed for the last two years," explained Company President and CEO, Richard McCreary.

But more jobs could be on the way. Marinette Marine hopes to get another contract through the US Navy to build ten more of these ships. Ten other ships could go to a ship builder in Alabama.

Officials expect it would add a thousand new jobs at the shipyard and have a $500 million economic impact throughout Wisconsin and Michigan each year.

However, the contract is still making its way through Congress.

"We've been working closely with both houses of Congress to get support for the initiative, and right now I believe we have very strong support in the house and will continue to work with the Senate where the bill will go next," said Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research and Development, Sean Stackley.

Outgoing Congressman Steve Kagen says issues with cost are what's holding up the contracts. However, he remains optimistic.

"We need the ships, not just for our local economy here and down south, but for our nation's defense," explained Kagen.

While everyone waits, Marinette Marine will finish up work on Fort Worth. However, with the majority of it complete, officials say there's currently not enough work to go around.

Marinette Marine officials say over the next two weeks, at least 200 workers will be temporarily laid off. However, if they receive word this month they'll be getting the new Navy contract, they'll begin recalling workers in April and be back up to full staff by July.

Officials expect Congress to make a decision on the Navy contracts before the first on the year. There is a possibility that only one shipyard will be awarded the contract.

That's if Congress votes down the current proposal, for both shipyards to build ten ships each.