DeSantis Awards $9 Million to Launch Birdon Shipbuilding Facilities at Port of Pensacola, Creating 2,000 Jobs

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited the Port of Pensacola on Wednesday to award $9 million from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to the City of Pensacola, supporting the establishment of Birdon America Inc.’s Southeastern headquarters and the creation of an estimated 2,000 new jobs.

The grant will fund public infrastructure improvements and capacity building to support construction of two shipbuilding facilities totaling roughly 400,000 square feet of manufacturing space at the port. The new facilities are expected to expand Florida’s maritime manufacturing capacity, allowing the port to produce complex Navy ship modules for submarines and surface vessels up to 400 feet long.

“We have a strong economy because we have our priorities straight,” DeSantis said. “We have delivered record tax relief while making strategic investments in workforce education, infrastructure, and economic development projects that bring industry and jobs to our state. Today, we’re building on that track record with a $9 million investment to support the construction of two boatbuilding facilities at the Port of Pensacola. These facilities will produce complex Navy ship modules for submarines and surface ships, and they are projected to create 2,000 jobs for Floridians in shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing.”

DeSantis and Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly made the announcement alongside Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves at the American Magic High Performance Center at the port. According to Escambia County officials, the project is expected to support economic development throughout the city, Escambia County and the broader Northwest Florida region.

“There are moments in a city’s history that define trajectory for not just years but for generations, and I certainly think this is one of those days,” Reeves said, noting Pensacola’s deepwater port history dating back to 1721. “The maritime industry is more than part of our history; it is part of our DNA. I thank Gov. Ron DeSantis for believing in Pensacola’s maritime future, for his commitment to infrastructure, high-wage job creation and Florida’s working waterfront. This grant is a massive vote of confidence in Pensacola.”

The overall project is valued at $275 million and marks the largest job creation initiative in Pensacola’s history. The roughly 2,000 expected positions include 1,437 jobs averaging $68,000 a year and 563 jobs averaging $112,000 annually. DeSantis said the positions could draw former military personnel exiting nearby installations into the shipbuilding workforce.

“If you do the right things on job training and workforce development, jobs will come,” DeSantis added.

About Birdon and the grant program

Birdon is an Australian-founded maritime engineering company. Its U.S. arm, Birdon America, holds a U.S. Coast Guard contract to build the Waterways Commerce Cutter fleet and has been building the first of those vessels at a shipyard in Bayou La Batre, Alabama.

The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, administered by FloridaCommerce, awards money to local governments and state colleges for public infrastructure and workforce training tied to economic development projects. The Port of Pensacola, a city-owned deepwater port, already hosts the American Magic sailing team’s high-performance center, where the announcement was made.