Grady-White Showcases Small Business and Manufacturer Tax Benefits as Catalyst for Investment During Congressional Visit

The Working Families Tax Cut legislation, also known as "One Big Beautiful Bill," is beginning to influence investment decisions in U.S. manufacturing, according to executives and lawmakers who toured a North Carolina boatbuilder's facility highlighted as an early example of the legislation's impact.

Leaders at Grady-White, a major employer in North Carolina's third congressional district hosted House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith of Missouri and Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC-3) last fall at the company's Greenville boatbuilding operation where they discussed how the new tax law is shaping long-term planning and capital investment.

The legislation passed last summer preserved several key provisions important to the marine industry aimed at providing long-term tax certainty for businesses, particularly manufacturers and small businesses. The extension of the past provisions from 2016 plus additional changes are especially significant for recreational boating, where the vast majority of boats sold domestically are built in the U.S. and 93% of NMMA members are small businesses.

At Grady-White, company leaders said the stable tax environment has supported new investments over the past year. Those upgrades include expanded generator capacity, additional production tools, motorized equipment to move boats through the facility, and new molds for several high-demand models.

Executives said the investments are designed to improve efficiency, product quality and workplace safety, while positioning the company for growth over the next several years.

"Grady-White Boats was honored to host Chairman Jason Smith and Congressman Greg Murphy at our Greenville facility. We appreciated the opportunity to share the dedication of our craftspeople and the importance of continued investment in American manufacturing," stated Kris Carroll, president Grady-White. "Their visit highlighted how strong partnerships between industry and government can help ensure that companies like ours continue to grow, innovate, and provide rewarding careers for hardworking men and women. We are grateful for their interest in our team and in the manufacturing sector as a whole."

Smith and Murphy toured the plant alongside company leadership, viewing manufacturing operations and meeting with employees. Carroll reinforced that the visit demonstrated the role federal policy can play in supporting domestic manufacturing and skilled jobs.

The recreational boating sector supports more than 800,000 jobs nationwide and generates roughly $230 billion in annual economic activity. The National Marine Manufacturers Association backed the Working Families Tax Cut law to help secure predictability in the tax code.

Industry representatives also emphasized that investment extends beyond production. Grady-White highlighted its workplace culture and involvement in conservation efforts and broader sustainability initiatives, pointing to environmental stewardship as a core value of the boating industry.

NMMA thanks Grady-White for its hospitality and the NMMA Government Relations team is ready to support additional bipartisan congressional visits to marine industry facilities and businesses in the months ahead, especially as Members of Congress plan to be in states and districts during periods in May through September, and most of October. Please communicate your interest to Erica Crocker, senior director, political advocacy & engagement at [email protected]

Photographed: Kris Carroll, Grady-White, Todd Leggett, Grady-White, House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO), and Rep. Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC)