Impact on Maine’s Economy

 

Our Mission

Design, build and support the highest-quality surface combatants for the United States.

 

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) has long had a reputation as the largest manufacturer in our state, and we thought it was important to not only back that reputation up, but to determine what BIW’s presence in Maine means for the state and its people. In 2022, we commissioned our first independent analysis of BIW’s effects on Maine’s economy, structured around a five-year lookback. That report assessed our overall economic contribution to the state of Maine and how BIW is helping the state address its significant workforce challenges.

The 2024 Economic Impact Report updates that analysis, taking a close look at Maine’s shrinking labor pool and what BIW is doing to attract skilled employees for the future. This two-year review analyzes BIW’s contributions to Maine’s economy in 2022 and 2023.

BIW’s investments in our people and in Maine vendors as well as our recruiting and training efforts continue to make a significant, positive impact across Maine.

Our employees, retirees, suppliers and network of workforce development partners—with support from our parent company General Dynamics—play a key role in growing Maine’s prosperity.

 

Click here to download BIW’s full Economic Impact Report.

Click here to download the Executive Summary of the report.

 

 

Click here to download the Impact on Maine’s Economy Infographic.

 

What BIW Means for Maine

 

We are a valued community partner for the Mid Coast region and the state as a whole.

 
  • We employ people from every county, strengthening communities, creating jobs and boosting local economies.
  • We are the largest employer in Bath and one of the top three employers in Brunswick.
  • We are a major economic engine for Maine and a key driver of the state’s production sector.
  • Our product is in high demand.
  • We are actively creating opportunities for Mainers through our job training, hiring, and use of Maine-based vendors.
  • We are investing millions of dollars in facility upgrades, including a new Kitting Terminal, Pier Support Center, Trades Storage Building, Security Facilities and pier reconstruction. These projects use primarily local contractors.

The Future Is Bright

 

Our Vision

An exceptional maritime company that safely provides shipbuilding, component manufacturing and specialized services with a world-class team and facilities.

 

To achieve this, we are actively working to:

  • Expand understanding about the important role BIW plays in providing ships for our national defense and the impact of that work on Maine’s economy.
  • Raise the profile of the varied career opportunities shipbuilding offers in the trades and STEM fields.
  • Develop career discovery programming for Maine high school students and expanded skilled trades training, including additional outreach to populations historically underrepresented in shipbuilding.
  • Leverage BIW’s hiring needs to attract new residents and new talent by promoting living in Maine, including proximity to Portland and Boston, and by targeting the military and veteran community and engineering degree programs in regional institutions.
  • Identify opportunities for expansion by promoting workforce development, asset maintenance and infrastructure development.
  • Collaborate with Maine businesses, including others in the shipbuilding industry, on support for workforce housing, childcare and transportation through direct investment, tax credits and other incentives.
  • Support and develop existing and future in-state vendors by offering technical assistance and training.