A groundbreaking was held in Galveston on Monday as Davie Defense unveiled plans for a modernization project that could bring up to $1 billion in upgrades to the Gulf Copper shipyards in Galveston and Port Arthur.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place in Galveston, but the project also includes major upgrades at Gulf Copper's Port Arthur shipyard, where officials expect new jobs and future shipbuilding work tied to the Coast Guard's Arctic Security Cutter program.
The project marks the return of complex shipbuilding to Texas for the first time in decades and is expected to create approximately 2,400 new jobs while supporting up to 7,000 jobs statewide through supply chain and related economic activity, according to Davie Defense.
Community leaders in both Galveston and the Golden Triangle are excited about the return of shipbuilding and other marine services that could result from the operation and the economic growth it will bring to the region.
Those on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony included Texas Govenor Greg Abbot along with both US Senators for Texas, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz along with many others.