Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW (No heading) ... Neglect, fraud, abuse shutter 4 adult foster homes in Jackson County ... Where there's smoke ... there are training opps, thanks to FD3's 'SIM house' ... (No heading) ... Neglect, fraud, abuse shutter 4 adult foster homes in Jackson County ... Where there's smoke ... there are training opps, thanks to FD3's 'SIM house' ... OREGON COAST Reedsport shipbuilder plans growth Company hopes to add 40 jobs with new warehouse and docks Comment By Troy Brynelson of the Roseburg News-Review MailTribune.com By Troy Brynelson of the Roseburg News-Review Posted May. 31, 2016 at 3:16 PM By Troy Brynelson of the Roseburg News-Review Posted May. 31, 2016 at 3:16 PM » Social News REEDSPORT — A local shipbuilding company is positioning itself for a big expansion that is being touted by city officials as a "rising tide" for the local economy. Fred Wahl Marine Construction has already added another 39-acre site on Bolon Island, on the Umpqua River, to its landholdings. And work has started on the company's 41st boat since the company moved to Reedsport in 1991. Plans are in motion to build a new shipyard that, as envisioned, would dramatically improve the company's operation. Officials hope the expansion will buoy the coastal city's struggling economy. "Will it fix all of our problems? No. But it's a giant step in the right direction," said Reedsport City Manager Jonathan Wright. The company is pitching the project to the Oregon Department of Transportation for a $3.4 million grant to help build the warehouse and docks. City officials say if the company adds 40 jobs with this new expansion, as it plans to, it would be the equivalent of 300 jobs in the Portland-metro area. Company representatives are looking to build a massive new shipyard on the new site to bolster its repair work. At its old shipyard, which the company plans to keep running, only three boats can be handled at a time. The new shipyard would handle as many as 30 boats at once. It would also allow storage of boats indoors, keeping them out of the rain that tends to complicate welding, painting and other repairs. The more efficient process could turn repairs around faster, according to project manager Jim Zimmer, meaning happier customers back out on the water in pursuit of salmon or king crab. The company bought the site in December 2014 after the shuttering of American Bridge Manufacture, whose jobs Fred Wahl Marine Construction is hoping to recoup. As a "full-service shipyard," the company's 70-plus workers already storm around the docks, attending to maintenance on the boats such as mechanical, plumbing, electrical work and carpentry. "If you need a refrigerator, we'll get you a refrigerator," Zimmer said. To officials in Reedsport, the expansion is promising. Reedsport's unemployment hovers around 12 percent while Douglas County and the state average are 7 and 5 percent, respectively. The city was growing fast in the 1990s, Wright said, until the timber industry began to suffer, losing hundreds of jobs. Now the city is peppered with vacant storefronts and leans heavily on tourism dollars. At a time when jobs are leaving Douglas County, the expansion could beget more growth in commercial shipbuilding. Wright and Zimmer both pointed to possible repair contracts with the United States Coast Guard that are usually available only to one or two shipyards on the entire West Coast. "Now we're becoming a leader in the marine construction industry," Wright said. Zimmer said he sees the same struggle just on his own docks. "Not only is it hard to find jobs, but people don't want to move their families here," Zimmer said. "We don't have movie theaters. We don't have a place to shop. If you want to buy a pair of underwear, you're out of luck." Jason Randolph, a carpenter with the company, praised the company for the work and said he plans to retire in Reedsport. "Since I was able to work, I've been running around Coos, Curry and Douglas County looking for work to survive," he said. "... These guys, they find you work." The company is vying for an ODOT grant through the Connect Oregon program, which funds projects that help improve infrastructure throughout the state. The program is funded by lottery dollars and doled out $43.4 million total in its last round of grants. The company earns about $11 million annually, Zimmer said. By Troy Brynelson of the Roseburg News-Review MailTribune.com By Troy Brynelson of the Roseburg News-Review Posted May. 31, 2016 at 3:16 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501