California Alliance for Jobs, supporters urge lawmakers to advance projects that would create tens of thousands of jobs and strengthen domestic manufacturing
Full rally video, b-roll and photos available here.
Fairfield, Calif – (June 11, 2026) – Nearly over 200 workers, union leaders, local elected officials, small business owners and community advocates today joined the California Alliance for Jobs (CAJ) to call on state and local representatives to pass the proposed Suisun Expansion Plan and Solano Shipyard to immediately bring home-construction and shipbuilding manufacturing jobs to Solano County.
The county sits at the center of a historic opportunity to expand its national shipbuilding capacity, restore manufacturing to California, strengthen domestic supply chains, and create tens of thousands of middle-class jobs.
The proposed Suisun Expansion Plan would expand Suisun City’s borders into neighboring land through an annexation process to allow for growth and economic development. The proposed Solano Shipyard, located on 7,500 acres east of Collinsville, and already designated for industrial shipbuilding activities, would create one of the largest shipyard complexes in the world. The two projects together are expected to generate $215 billion in construction investment, support over 530,000 jobs and deliver more than $16.2 billion annually in combined state, local and federal tax revenue.
“We’ve taken hits: the Valero refinery, the Budweiser brewery, the Vallejo dry docks. More than 2,100 jobs are gone. But I don’t accept that as the end of the story,” said Sandy Person, President at Solano Economic Development Corporation. “We have an opportunity to restore economic vitality to Solano County, and the people who live and serve here — including the military families at Travis Air Force Base — deserve to see that happen. Solano County is positioning itself to compete, to grow, and to bring opportunity back to this community. That work needs to start now. We need Jobs and Housing NOW.”
Supporters say Solano County is uniquely positioned to seize these opportunities because it already has the skilled workforce, construction expertise and economic foundation needed to support major housing and infrastructure projects.
“We represent thousands of workers and hundreds of contractors in and around Solano County who are hungry for good jobs and desperate for housing,” said Joshua Arce, Executive Director of the California Alliance for Jobs. “Our unions and employers call on our state representatives to introduce legislation that will bring shipbuilding and tens of thousands of homes to the area and we hope every local official will get behind it too.”
The California Alliance for Jobs was joined by labor organizations, including the North Coast States Carpenters Union, State Building & Construction Trades Council, and the Napa-Solano Building & Construction Trades Council, all of which emphasized that California already has the workforce necessary to deliver large-scale projects.
“The 450,000 hardworking members of our affiliated unions are building this state. We won’t stand by while thousands of new job opportunities are shipped off to Texas,” said Chris Hannan, President of the State Building & Construction Trades Council. “Solano County has the workforce, the vision, and the commitment to build a world-class shipyard and new homes right here in California. We need elected leaders to work together and make California Forever a reality.”
Labor leaders say the project would both create jobs and establish a long-term economic engine for the region through advanced manufacturing and related industries.
“Our skilled Carpenters Union members and apprentices are ready to build the future today. Forever California represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create thousands of family-supporting union jobs, strengthen our Solano County and regional economy, and position Solano County as a center for innovation and advanced manufacturing,” said Ron Rowlett, Director of Public Relations and Government Affairs for the North Coast States Carpenters Union.
“The potential to attract shipbuilding and related industries would create lasting careers, expand opportunities for working families where they live–and reinforce California’s leadership in building the infrastructure and industries of tomorrow. Solano County deserves the chance to grow, compete, and thrive, and our union workforce is ready to help make that vision a reality,” Rowlett added.
Construction industry leaders said this project would create both immediate and long-term opportunities for California’s construction workforce, while delivering much needed housing and industrial development.
“Contractors across Northern California are ready to turn this bold vision into a reality,” said Chris O’Connor, Senior Vice President of Government Relations for the Associated General Contractors of California. “This project is a generational win for Solano County, promising 170,000 new homes and a revitalized industrial footprint. We urge state leaders to pass legislation to streamline approvals so our skilled workforce can get to work building the housing, shipbuilding infrastructure, and economic opportunity our communities urgently need.”
The commitment was echoed by United Contractors CEO Emily Cohen, who said California’s union and contractor workforce is prepared to deliver both the housing and industrial components of the project.
“California Forever represents a historic opportunity to bring shipbuilding to the Bay Area and create nearly 200,000 new homes for workers and long-time residents,” she said. “United Contractors and our more than 800 members stand ready to help build a new future for Solano County and neighboring communities by showing that California is the place to get stuff done when it comes to job creation and housing and infrastructure construction.”
Supporters also pointed to the region’s housing affordability crisis, arguing that the Suisun Expansion Plan and Solano Shipyard would help create local opportunities for workers to live closer to their jobs, while reducing long commutes and creating economic opportunities.
“Working people in Solano County are facing impossible commutes, rising costs, and shrinking opportunities,” said Oscar De La Torre, Business Manager for the Northern California District Council of Laborers (LiUNA). “A new shipyard and new homes would change lives, in addition to creating thousands of union construction jobs. These opportunities are real and immediate. We’re calling on our state and local elected representatives to show courage and keep these jobs where they belong — in California.”
Dan Reding, Business Manager of Operating Engineers Local 3 said the project presents an opportunity to bring thousands of family-supporting jobs closer to home.
“Our members build and maintain the infrastructure that keeps California moving, but too many skilled workers in Solano County are forced to commute hours each day just to earn a good living,” he said. “The opportunity is in front of us, now it’s time for leaders to take action and make sure these jobs stay in California and benefit the communities who need them most.”
Local maritime worker advocates said the proposed shipyard would help restore California as a maritime leader at a time when the industry is increasingly moving elsewhere, while creating a new generation of skilled maritime workers.
“California’s maritime future should be built by California workers,” said Sal Vaca, Project Director for the Working Waterfront Coalition. “Solano County has the talent and the tradition to lead the next chapter of shipbuilding. We’re here today to say loud and clear: these jobs belong in our communities.”
About California Alliance For Jobs
The California Alliance for Jobs (CAJ) is a labor-management partnership representing over 70,000 union construction workers and nearly 2,000 construction industry employers that build the state’s public infrastructure from the Central Valley to the Oregon border. The CAJ is made up of the Operating Engineers Local 3, Northern California District Council of Laborers, Associated General Contractors of California, and United Contractors, who together drive California’s economy by advocating for responsible investments in critical areas such as transportation, water systems, and the energy grid. Learn more at www.rebuildca.org/
Contacts
Sam Singer
Singer Associates Public Relations
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415.336.4949
Haley Murphy
Singer Associates Public Relations
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707.815.8909