The town that the U.S. Navy built, then fractured when the base closed in 1996 -- Vallejo -- is about to be hit again with job and industry loss as the dry dock at the West Coast's oldest shipyard facility announced it will be shuttering operations on Mare Island.
The town that the U.S. Navy built, then fractured when the base closed in 1996 -- Vallejo -- is about to be hit again with job and industry loss as the dry dock at the West Coast's oldest shipyard facility announced it will be shuttering operations on Mare Island.
Mare Island Dry Dock LLC will be permanently closing its facility after losing a large U.S. Coast Guard contract, the city said Tuesday. MIDD, a commercial dry dock company providing repair and other services to the maritime industry since 2013, employed more than 80 fulltime union and non-union staff, the city said. It has two dry docks, which are spaces that a ship can be parked in and have water drained from, allowing work to be done. Mare Island also has berthing facilities and crane services. "The company has been a significant contributor to the local economy, supporting jobs and generating economic activity for Vallejo, Solano County, and the surrounding region," according to the city. Vallejo got outbid for the Coast Guard's largest vessel, the Icebreaker Healy, which will head to Oregon instead of Mare Island. MIDD even offered a lower bid for its repair than the Oregon site, yet still lost the contract.In 2024, U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, D-Fairfield, was among the lawmakers to introduce the SHIPS for America Act, which if passed will boost the shipbuilding and repair industry. The congressman has also secured millions to invest in Vallejo's maritime operations. The move is another blow to Mare Island, a postcard-worthy parcel formerly owned by the Navy that has sputtered and stalled in reaching any newfound economic boom despite the city's best wishes. Vallejo Mayor Andrea Sorce said the loss of MIDD is a huge loss to the city and the region, but that they are determined to support the workers and keep brainstorming about the island. "I am in touch with MIDD leadership and the Solano workforce development board, as well as Congressman Garamendi, and everyone is working around the clock to support the workers and determine next steps," she said. Sorce said a consultant firm recently hired by the city council, the Roosevelt Group, was tasked to support maritime opportunities, particularly on Mare Island."They will be in town next week and are working closely with City staff, the Congressman, and all our local maritime stakeholders to ensure that Vallejo attracts investment and skilled job opportunities in the maritime industry," she said in an email. Vallejo isn't the only city that wants to jump-start shipbuilding in the county. Rio Vista, Fairfield and Suisun City have all passed resolutions in favor of the idea. The board of supervisors has also amassed a working group to explore the issue. Meanwhile, the billionaire-backed development venture known as California Forever has proposed a massive shipbuilding and other maritime industry hub on the Sacramento River in Solano County. The county has now been socked with major closure announcements three times in one year-- the Valero refinery in Benicia, the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Fairfield, and now the dry dock in Vallejo.Copyright 2026 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, re-transmission or reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. Is prohibited.New Year's Eve power outage in SF piles onto frustration with PG&E
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
5 Chain Steakhouses That Dry-Age Their Beef In-HouseYour ultimate source for expert nutrition tips and health advice, covering wellness, healthy recipes, cooking hacks, food news, style trends and shopping.
Read more »
Here are 5 LA County restaurants where you can order mocktails for Dry JanuaryStay alcohol-free and still go out drinking by ordering these mocktails
Read more »
31 Local Booze-Free Options for Dry JanuaryIf you're skipping the booze to kick off 2026, there are plenty of alternatives in the Mile High for N/A cocktails, beer and more.
Read more »
These 10 Hydrating Face Masks Are Giving My Dry Skin a Much-Needed Moisture BoostDanielle Jackson is the senior beauty writer at Marie Claire. She has nearly a decade of experience covering beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment and was previously the senior beauty editor at Women's Health, where she thoughtfully covered topics related to skincare, haircare, aesthetics, and wellness.
Read more »
Mare Island Dry Dock in Vallejo to close permanently, all employees to be laid offVallejo city officials say they've been informed that the Mare Island Dry Dock will be closing permanently and laying off all workers.
Read more »
Dry January arrives as some breweries circle the bottom of their mugsCLICK HERE to reach out to Nate with any story ideas or news tips.
Read more »