Altmire Delivers $800,000 to Curtiss-Wright EMD to Develop Advanced Propulsion Motor for U.S. Navy
December 19, 2008
(Cheswick, PA) -- As part of his on-going efforts to keep good paying jobs in the Alle-Kiski Valley, U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) today delivered $800,000 in federal funding to Curtiss-Wright Electro-Mechanical Division (EMD) to help them develop an advanced propulsion motor for the U.S. Navy’s new electric drive ships. Congressman Altmire secured the $800,000 in federal funding in this year’s continuing resolution (H.R. 2638), which was signed into law on September 30, 2008. This funding comes in addition to $1.6 million Altmire secured for Curtiss-Wright EMD last year to help them develop a fully integrated electrical motor, a project that was expected to support 700 jobs in the AK Valley.
“As a Congressman, one of my top priorities is finding ways to help companies like Curtiss-Wright maintain and create good paying jobs in western Pennsylvania,” Altmire said. “The $800,000 in funding I secured this year for Curtiss-Wright EMD will help them show the U.S. Navy that they can develop a quality electric propulsion motor for its new ships. Supporting local companies’ efforts to attract new business is crucial to retaining quality jobs in the Alle-Kiski Valley in the years to come.”
Curtiss-Wright EMD initially received funding from the U.S. Navy to develop a small scale demonstration model of an electric drive ship propulsion motor. However, the funding Altmire secured will allow Curtiss-Wright EMD to develop a full-size ship propulsion motor demonstration unit by the Navy’s FY 2011 design review target date. This will give Curtiss-Wright an advantage because the Navy requires companies to provide a full scale demonstration unit before they are considered for contracts for on-board ship units.
The $800,000 in funding Altmire secured will help position western Pennsylvania to be a leader in the development of electric propulsion motors for the U.S. Navy. This funding will also support 20 full-time jobs and has the potential to support up to 100 jobs in the future if additional funds are made available.
“The funding Congressman Altmire secured will help Curtiss-Wright EMD show the U.S. Navy that western Pennsylvanians can create the best propulsion motors for its new electric drive ships,” Jim Drake, Curtiss-Wright EMD’s General Manager, said. “Because of Congressman Altmire, Curtiss-Wright can now produce a full size demonstration model of our new propulsion motor, which will improve our chances of securing a Naval contract that could bring dozens of good paying jobs to Alle-Kiski Valley.”
The funding Altmire is delivering to Curtiss-Wright EMD is part of more than $21 million Congressman Altmire secured in this year’s continuing resolution to support job creation and economic growth in western Pennsylvania.
