News Summary
Goose Creek, South Carolina, is set to become a hub for shipbuilding as Newport News Shipbuilding establishes a new facility spanning 50 acres. With plans to produce structural units for the U.S. Navy, this operation will bolster local employment and community investment. The facility aims to alleviate production demands from Virginia, creating essential modules for naval vessels and investing significantly in the local economy. With training programs and strategic logistics in place, Goose Creek is poised to play a vital role in U.S. naval defense.
Goose Creek Welcomes New Shipbuilding Facility!
Exciting times are ahead for Goose Creek, South Carolina, as the Newport News Shipbuilding has hit the ground running with its brand-new operations! Just about 60 days ago, this division of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) officially kicked off its activities in an impressive facility spanning nearly 50 acres and boasting 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
First Structural Unit Set for Departure!
Just wait until you hear this—a milestone is on the horizon as the Goose Creek facility prepares to send off its very first structural unit to headquarters in Virginia for U.S. Navy aircraft carrier production in just two days! This marks a remarkable achievement for a site that is gearing up to play a crucial role in the future of naval defense.
Serving the Navy with Pride
Did you know that Newport News Shipbuilding is the exclusive builder of aircraft carriers for the U.S. Navy? This vital operations hub is also one of only two companies that build submarines for the country. With a history that spans an impressive 139 years, Newport News Shipbuilding has been pivotal in designing, constructing, and repairing over 800 ships for both military and commercial clients.
What’s Cooking in Goose Creek?
This new operation isn’t just about making ships; it’s all about alleviating the production demands back in Virginia. The Goose Creek facility specializes in crafting modules for both submarines and aircraft carriers. That means they will be creating everything from habitability modules to auxiliary machine rooms and even weapons modules for the Virginia-Class and Columbia-Class nuclear-powered submarines. With such specialized tasks, the facility is gearing up to make an impactful mark on naval production.
Building the Workforce
The choice to set up shop in South Carolina was strategic. The existing manufacturing workforce, coupled with strong ties to regional educational institutions, made Goose Creek an ideal home for this operation. During the acquisition from W International, an impressive 99% of former employees smoothly transitioned over to the new operations, bringing the workforce to about 475 employees and set to grow even more in the coming years.
Training for the Future
New employees can take advantage of a 12-week training program designed to familiarize them with the operations at Newport News Shipbuilding, all while being treated as full-time employees with benefits. This isn’t a small detail—since the program began in October 2021, around 1,200 students have graduated, paving their way into rewarding shipbuilding careers. Alongside this, local high schools are tweaking their curricula to help students seamlessly transition into the Newport News Shipbuilding programs.
Logistics Made Easy
What’s particularly advantageous about the Goose Creek site is its accessibility; it has direct access to deep-water and rail transport. This will undoubtedly help with logistics and the transportation of materials—essential for efficient operations in shipbuilding.
Community Investment
HII is fully committed to the local community, investing approximately $500 million annually to source materials from the Lowcountry area. Furthermore, around $110 million is allocated each year for workforce investments, education, and scholarships. This commitment to community growth showcases an emphasis on sustainable practices that aim to benefit not just the company but the entire region.
The Future Looks Bright!
With an unprecedented demand for the ships being produced, the facility is undoubtedly addressing a significant need. Full operational capacity isn’t expected until around 2027 or 2028, when they aspire to produce fully outfitted modules. Exciting collaborations with nearby companies, like Leonardo DRS, which is also planning to open a facility in 2026, promise to enhance the production capabilities even further.
As Goose Creek embraces this new chapter in its industrial landscape, it looks set to play a vital role in shaping the future of naval defense in the United States.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
HII Acquires W International for Submarine Module Construction
Newport News Shipbuilding Partners with Bushy Park
Major Expansion in U.S. Military Shipbuilding: HII Acquires Charleston Operations
Charleston County Approves $3 Million Road Safety Project
Charleston’s Shipbuilding Industry Expands with Major Acquisition
HII Expands Manufacturing Footprint in South Carolina
Goose Creek Expands Shipbuilding Capacity with HII Acquisition
Exciting Developments in Goose Creek, South Carolina!
Additional Resources
- Forbes: Best Employers by State
- Greenville Business Magazine: 2024 SC Best in Business
- The State: News on South Carolina
- Greenville Online: Forbes SC Companies 2024
- Outside Online: Best Places to Work 2024
- Wikipedia: South Carolina
- Google Search: Newport News Shipbuilding
- Google Scholar: Shipbuilding in South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Shipbuilding
- Google News: Goose Creek Shipbuilding
