Fort Smith, Arkansas will be the location of U.S. Technology Marine Service’s newest shipyard.  This new shipyard will construct barges and tugboats.

This new business will provide up to 50 jobs by the end of January, and another 50 before the end of the year.  The company has contracts for barges through 2008, with more being negotiated for the near future.

Most shipyards can not produce a barge for several years, but U.S. Technology Marine Service can have the first off the line six months after the order.  Because of this, the company expects to see only growth in the future.

Fort Smtih was chosen for the site due to several criteria.  The cities location on the Arkansas River offers easy access by waterways to the Mississippi and the Gulf Coast.  The company was also impressed by the quality of the city and the students coming out of UA Fort Smith.

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