(The Center Square) − Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards has been chosen to lead the construction of a new fleet of Arctic Security Cutters for the U.S. Coast Guard, a major defense contract announced Wednesday at the White House.

Gov. Jeff Landry and Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois called the announcement “a pivotal moment” for the state’s shipbuilding industry and for America’s effort to reshore critical defense manufacturing.