Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery pays almost $300 million annually to the 3,679 Mainers who work at the defense facility.

That data, contained in a report released recently by the shipyard, earned accolades from Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday, who called the operation a “key contributor” to the state’s economy.

“The shipyard’s success includes growing their total workforce by close to 1,000 workers in the past four years, which has had a corresponding increase in payroll of $92 million,” said LePage in a press release. “This money supports families and local businesses with a tremendous effect.”

The shipyard, which overhauls and repairs U.S. Navy submarines, had a total civilian payroll of $525 million in February of 2018, with another $43 million in payroll for Navy and Coast Guard personnel. It annually purchases goods and services worth more than $100 million and pays another $78 million in contracted facility services, including maintenance and utilities, according to the release.

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