Regional Coalition Proposes California Delta as Maritime Prosperity Zone for U.S. Shipbuilding to Restore America’s Maritime Dominance
Cal Poly Maritime Academy, California Forever, Nimitz Group, Solano EDC, Bay Area Council, and Working Waterfront Coalition join forces to respond to national shipbuilding imperative
Solano County, CA — January 15 , 2025 — California Forever and The Nimitz Group—owners of Mare Island, have submitted a proposal to the federal government advocating for the designation of a Maritime Prosperity Zone (MPZ) for the California Delta—a bold initiative to attract private investment, create thousands of skilled jobs, and accelerate the return of large-scale shipbuilding and improved maritime readiness to the West Coast.
This proposal is further backed by a broad coalition of regional stakeholders, including Cal Poly Maritime Academy in education and training, Working Waterfront Coalition in workforce training, the Solano EDC in economic development and the Bay Area Council in public policy and advocacy.
The proposed MPZ would span the heart of the California Delta—stretching from the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers through Suisun and San Pablo Bays—encompassing Solano and neighboring counties. The concept aligns with recent bipartisan and executive branch efforts to restore U.S. maritime dominance by establishing a nationally designated zone to fast-track investment, infrastructure, and workforce development—delivering near-term results while enabling the long-term growth of America’s maritime industries at scale.
The advocacy effort highlights the region’s strategic assets, including deepwater access to the Pacific, historic maritime infrastructure, as well as land available at Mare Island, and underutilized industrial land California Forever has demarcated for the Solano Shipyard. Both sites are capable of supporting a massive new center of American shipyard development. It has been done before. During World War II, Northern California supported more than 220,000 shipbuilding jobs, playing a critical role in U.S. naval production.
Rather than focusing on a single site, the proposed MPZ framework is designed to extend Opportunity Zone–like incentives and coordinated federal support across the broader California Delta—unlocking private capital and job creation and strengthening the business case for long-term maritime and industrial investment.
The organizations indicated they look forward to continued coordination with federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Navy, to translate this proposal into new shipyards and new jobs as the Maritime Prosperity Zone concept advances. The organizations also stated they see today’s announcement as the start of broader coalition building for the California Delta Maritime Prosperity Zone, and hope that other regional governments and organizations join the effort.
“This proposal responds directly to the national imperative to rebuild America’s maritime industrial base,” said Jan Sramek, Founder & CEO of California Forever. “Solano County, and the broader California Delta region, are uniquely positioned to become a bridge between the past and the future of shipbuilding in California.”
“This region has the scale, history, and workforce to once again contribute meaningfully to America’s maritime strength,” said Darren Lingle, a representative on behalf of Nimitz Group. “With existing shipyard assets and federal alignment, this proposal offers a practical path to expand shipbuilding capacity in the near term, while supporting long-term growth across the region.”
“Cal Poly Maritime Academy is committed to making Northern California a hub for maritime growth and innovation for the West Coast and Pacific Rim — strengthening America’s national security and economic resilience,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “Our expert faculty and training facilities position us to prepare the next generation of maritime professionals and provide training and upskilling opportunities to those already engaged or transitioning into maritime careers. Our Learn by Doing philosophy ensures that every learner gains hands-on experience and practical skills that can be immediately applied to support America’s shipbuilding dominance.”
“For too long, Solano’s greatest export has been our talent. The designation of a Maritime Prosperity Zone is the catalyst we need to bring thousands of well-paid, skilled jobs back to our county, ensuring residents can build world-class careers right here at home. It would unlock unprecedented opportunities for investment throughout the region, and ensure our community’s prosperity for decades to come,” said Chris Rico, president and CEO, Solano Economic Development Corporation.
“The Working Waterfront Coalition is a grand regional partnership of employers, unions, workforce development boards, educators and community groups and we stand foursquare behind and proudly partner with California Forever’s exciting plans to revive the Bay Area’ vital tradition of shipbuilding. Together we will recruit and train the next generation of waterfront workers for clean/green, well-paid career pathways with excellent benefits, champion career technical education, retrain laid off refinery workers and engage young people with ‘on-the-job’ internships in the marine trades,” said Bobby Winston, co-founder, Working Waterfront Coalition.
“Rebuilding America’s maritime industrial base requires more than nostalgia; it requires modern shipyards built for the future. The California Delta is uniquely positioned to deliver that future by combining world-class maritime assets with the innovation engine of Silicon Valley. A Maritime Prosperity Zone here would strengthen national security, bring advanced manufacturing back home, and put thousands of Americans to work building the ships that power our economy and protect our nation,” said John Grubb, interim president & CEO, Bay Area Council.
