The Proposal
The application requests funding for two boat-building facilities totaling 400,000 square feet of manufacturing space. The facilities would be capable of producing complex Navy ship modules for Tier 1 shipyards, submarine modules, and complete surface ships up to 400 feet in length.
Total estimated project cost is $250 million, broken down as:
- $105 million in construction costs
- $145 million in equipment costs
The Triumph Gulf Coast request of $86 million represents approximately one-third of the total project cost.
About Project Maeve
According to the application, “Project Maeve” is described as a premier U.S.-based designer and shipbuilder. The company was established in 1977 as a family-owned operation with global reach, including operations in the United States, Australia, Europe, and Asia.
The company expanded to the United States in 2009, establishing headquarters in Denver, Colorado. It operates four main business divisions: Marine Ship Building and Repair, Disposals, Engineering, and Marine Propulsion.
The application notes that the company “is an established and trusted partner of the United States Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security and is currently successfully delivering on major projects for the U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S Navy.”
Job Creation and Wages
The proposed facility would create 2,000 jobs over five years at an employment ramp-up rate of 50 jobs per month following construction completion. The positions break down as:
- 1,437 production workers at an average of $68,000 annually
- 563 engineering and support personnel at an average of $112,000 annually
They project the overall average annual wage for all positions at approximately $80,000, which represents about 140% of Escambia County’s average wage of $55,971 (as of the application date).
The application emphasizes workforce development partnerships with local educational institutions. Project Maeve has established relationships with Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida to develop “tailored training and educational pathways that support maritime manufacturing and engineering careers.”
- The company cites its existing facility elsewhere in the Southeast, where it has achieved a turnover rate of less than 5% through apprenticeship and technical training programs.
Project Timeline and Funding Structure
If funded, construction would begin immediately and be completed within 30 months, according to the application.
The funding structure includes:
- Triumph Gulf Coast: $86 million (requested)
- Florida Job Growth Grant Fund (City match): $14 million
- Company match: $150 million
A key detail: If awarded, the facilities would remain property of the City of Pensacola and be classified as public infrastructure. The city would enter into a ground lease with Project Maeve.
Strategic Rationale
The application positions the project as addressing “the national need for additional capacity, resilience, and competitiveness in the U.S. maritime industrial base.” The facility would serve as a Tier 2 advanced ship manufacturing operation, supporting larger Tier 1 shipyards while also being capable of producing complete vessels.
The project aligns with Triumph Gulf Coast’s mission to support economic recovery, diversification, and enhancement in the eight disproportionately affected counties following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The application checked boxes indicating the project would generate maximum economic benefits, increase household income, leverage regional assets including military bases, and partner with local governments.
Questions and Context
The use of “Project Maeve” as a placeholder name in the pre-application suggests the actual company identity may have been confidential at this stage of the process. The pre-application form notes that this process “will not result in an award of funding” but is designed to facilitate submission of project ideas before applicants invest resources in a full application.
The application was submitted on Oct. 27. Whether this project advanced to a full application, received funding, or was ultimately pursued remains unclear from this document alone.
Editor’s note: This post is based on a Triumph Gulf Coast pre-application form. The pre-application process does not guarantee funding – applicants must still submit a full application for consideration by the Triumph Gulf Coast Board. Stay tuned.