Second barge maker shuts Fort Smith operation

Two up, two down.

So it goes, temporarily at least, for two barge makers who in 2007 said they would locate operations in Fort Smith.

Canton, Ohio-based U.S. Technology Marine Services has closed its barge making facility located at the end of Grand Avenue in Fort Smith. The plant employed as many has 80, but has ceased operations.

The company, which received a $2.95 million bond guarantee from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, said in announcing its Fort Smith expansion it would create 250 jobs.

A message on the company’s Fort Smith office phone informs of a “temporary layoff” for an “indefinite” time. According to a story in the Times Record, company officials are working with a business turnaround consultant to keep the doors open. They cited cash flow and the financial crisis as reasons for the temporary shutdown.

The other barge maker to move to Fort Smith in 2007 was Fort Smith Shipyards. Company officials said in June 2007 they had more than $10 million in barge orders and would seek to hire up to 200. The operation never materialized.