Agenda Item No: O.2
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: April 15, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 2025-61 CM Supporting Shipbuilding in Solano County
Supporting Efforts to Attract Shipbuilding to Solano County
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: David Gassaway, (707) 428-7400
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt resolution.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
Solano County has a long history of shipbuilding, notably with the establishment of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1854. Since Mare Island’s closing in 1996, many of the more than 5,800 jobs in shipbuilding were lost. With a renewed U.S. focus on increa sing shipbuilding capacities, Solano County is well-positioned to benefit from the establishment of new shipbuilding facilities and the jobs and positive economic impact they bring.
DISCUSSION
The U.S. Government has expressed interest in making needed investments to expand national shipbuilding capabilities. In the 1970’s, the U.S. built around 5% of the world's ocean-going vessels. Today, that number has dropped below 0.2% of total global outp ut by gross tonnage.
The U.S. decline in shipbuilding presents not only national defense implications but also a loss of well-paid jobs in the maritime trades. Attracting shipbuilding back to Solano County represents a great opportunity for economic develo pment and can benefit from the federal government ’s pursuit of policies to expand shipbuilding capabilities.
Solano County’s location along the S an Pablo and Suisun Bays provides natural deep-water shipping access to the Pacific Ocean. Established in 185 4, Mare Island was the first shipbuilding port on the west coast of the U.S. Mare Island was a critical economic engine for the region, employing nearly 40,000 people during World War II.
Recently, the federal government has expressed intent on renewing U.S. shipbuilding capabilities for both civilian use and the U.S. Navy. A bipartisan, bicameral bill, the “Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America Act of 2024,” or “SHIPS for America Act of 2024,” was introduced in lat e 2024 and is co-sponsored by Congressman Garamendi . The bill seeks to make sweeping reinvestment into American Maritime capabilities. Additionally, President Trump created an Office of Shipbuilding and has expressed plans for executive orders to strengthen U.S. shipbuilding capabilities.
In addition to Mare Island, and its capability for renewed shipbuilding and/or repair facilities, Solano County also benefits from miles of deepwater access along the Carquinez Strait all the way to the Sacr amento River. Southeastern Solano County, east of Collinsville at the southern end of the Montezuma Hills, also has land that could be utilized as new shipbuilding facilities. In fact, the County of Solano identified 1,400 acres of land in that area in their 2008 General Plan, specifically for waterfront industrial land uses. A new shipbuilding facility at that location would likely generate thousands of new jobs and investment, from which Fairfield can benefit.
In January 2025, the City Council identifie d Economic Development as a top priority. Attracting new businesses and well -paid jobs will play a critical role in ensuring Fairfield’s financial sustainability well into the future. The attached resolution expresses the City Council’s full support in att racting new shipbuilding facilities to Solano County. It also authorizes the city manager to undertake activities and work with regional partners to help in attracting necessary investment and calls on elected representatives in Sacramento and Washington D .C. to support regional efforts to restore and enhance shipbuilding in Solano County.
The resolution was coordinated with city managers from cities across Solano County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item is a position of support only. There is no financial impact.
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
None.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
The council may choose not to approve the resolution. Doing so may negatively impact a regional effort to attract shipbuilding to Solano County.
COORDINATED WITH
Solano County City Managers
STAFF CONTACT
David Gassaway, City Manager
(707) 428-7400
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution