Leases Available for Shipyard’s Equipment

Small manufacturers in the Long Beach area could gain access to an array of industrial technology as city officials prepare to offer leases on machining equipment at the Naval Shipyard, which will close soon.

A $30,000 federal grant announced this week is expected to pay for surveys among hundreds of companies that might want to lease specialized computers, lathes and other tools that will become available after the shipyard’s closure Sept. 30.

“There are a number of pieces of equipment that are very unique and which, if properly utilized, could be of great value to the manufacturing base of the greater Long Beach area,” said Jerry Miller, manager of the city’s Economic Development Bureau. Revenues from leasing the equipment will be spent on programs for the homeless, Miller said.