Shipbuilder picks Vancouver for $1 billion Army project

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) – Shipbuilder Vigor has chosen Vancouver as the place to build a new generation U.S. Army landing craft – a contract valued at nearly $1 billion and a project that could bring 400 jobs to the southwestern Washington city

The Columbian reports that Vigor will be investing millions in capital upgrades and equipment to the site in the Columbia Business Park, the former home of Christensen Yachts.

Vigor announced in the 2017 it had won the Army contract.

Vigor said it will buy the Christensen site but declined to disclose the purchase price. Christensen, a luxury yachtbuilder, entered receivership in 2015 and shut down.

Vigor has 2,300 employees in several locations, including its Portland, Oregon, headquarters and a 60-acre shipyard on Swan Island.