Texas Gov. Greg Abbott helped break ground on a $1 billion expansion of Davie Defense’s Gulf Copper Shipyards on Monday, a project tied to U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker production in Galveston and Port Arthur.
The governor described the investment as the state’s first major shipbuilding undertaking in decades, according to a press release issued by the governor’s office.
“This is a quintessential America First project,” Abbott said. “America has a dire need for more ships. Texas is proud to partner with Davie Defense on this project. These ships will be built in Texas, crewed by Americans, and deployed to defend American sovereignty in the fastest-growing strategic theater on earth: the Arctic.”
State officials project that the Gulf Copper Shipyards facility will generate roughly 2,400 new jobs on-site, with a broader statewide economic footprint estimated to support nearly 7,000 jobs.
In his remarks, Abbott said the expanded shipbuilding operation will bring more advanced defense manufacturing to Texas, create thousands of good-paying jobs, and strengthen the nation’s maritime security. He said Texas will play a key role in keeping the American homeland safe, and credited the state’s business-friendly policies and workforce for drawing the expansion.
Federal, state, and local officials joined Abbott at the ceremony, including U.S. Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, Sen. Ted Cruz, Rep. Randy Weber, U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Kevin Lunday, and Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar.
Galveston Mayor John Paul Listowski also attended, along with Davie Defense Co-Founders James Davies and Alex Vicefield, and Davie Defense CEO Philip Burns-O’Brien.
