U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced today a boost to jobs at the Port of Tampa under a $1 million grant from the Department of Transportation shipyards initiative to Hendry Corporation, which will construct a new 1,200-ton floating dry-dock.

“To boost our economic recovery, we must play to our strengths and bolster our economic engines such as the port and small businesses. I fought for this infrastructure grant to create well-paying jobs and improve our shipyards,” Castor said. “A substantial number of new jobs will be created for the construction of the dry dock and, upon completion of the dry dock, the majority of these construction jobs will convert to full-time, permanent positions.”

This grant is in addition to four similar infrastructure grants Castor announced for the Port of Tampa community. The Port of Tampa is one of the region’s largest economic engines:

* Gulf Marine Repair Corporation: $4,159,857 for a drydock expansion

* International Ship and Marine Services, Inc.: $2,228,307 drydock life extension.

* Tampa Ship LLC: $2,270,172 for a panel line.

* Riverhawk Marine, LLC: $1,290,246 for travelift and syncrolift control upgrade.