Pensacola Secures $76 Million Grant to Transform Port, Create 2,000 Jobs

The city's Project Maeve will establish shipbuilder Birdon America's Southeastern headquarters and a new advanced ship manufacturing facility.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 1:15pm

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The City of Pensacola has secured initial approval for a $76 million grant that will transform the Port of Pensacola and fuel the creation of 2,000 jobs. The investment will establish shipbuilder Birdon America Inc.'s Southeastern headquarters and a Tier 2 advanced ship manufacturing facility in Pensacola, producing complex Navy ship modules, submarine modules, and complete surface vessels up to 400 feet.

Why it matters

This project represents a major economic development opportunity for Pensacola, with the potential to catalyze a broader maritime and defense industry cluster, attract suppliers, and develop a sustained talent pipeline through partnerships with local universities and colleges.

The details

The $275 million project will be funded through a $76 million grant from Triumph Gulf Coast, Birdon America's own capital investment, and a pending $14 million request to the Florida Department of Commerce. The Triumph funding will be used for construction of a 400,000 square-foot shipbuilding facility at the Port of Pensacola, including a panel line, module fabrication warehouse, and assembly bay. The city will retain ownership of the facilities and lease them to Birdon America.

  • On January 28, 2026, the Board of Triumph Gulf Coast gave initial approval to Project Maeve.
  • The city and Triumph will next enter a term sheet negotiation to outline the grant agreement.
  • The final step is the grant agreement approval.

The players

City of Pensacola

The local government entity that secured the $76 million grant and will oversee the project.

Triumph Gulf Coast

The nonprofit corporation created to manage funds recovered for economic damages from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which is providing the $76 million grant.

Birdon America Inc.

The globally established maritime engineering and shipbuilding company that will establish its Southeastern headquarters and a new advanced ship manufacturing facility in Pensacola.

Mayor D.C. Reeves

The mayor of Pensacola who stated that this project will "change the trajectory of our city for generations to come."

University of West Florida's WAVE Center, Pensacola State College, and the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition

Educational and research institutions that will partner with the project to create a sustained talent pipeline and applied research ecosystem.

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What they’re saying

“This project will change the trajectory of our city for generations to come. I promised careers for our hardworking taxpayers. Today shows that we are delivering on that promise. We're focused on building Pensacola's future and Triumph's investment helps us do just that.”

— Mayor D.C. Reeves

What’s next

The city and Triumph will enter a term sheet negotiation, which will outline the components of the grant agreement. The third and final step is the grant agreement approval.

The takeaway

This major investment in Pensacola's maritime and defense industries has the potential to transform the local economy, create thousands of high-paying jobs, and establish the city as a hub for advanced shipbuilding and naval support activities.