Statement of Governor Kaine On Navy's Contract for Eight More Virginia Class Submarines

Statement

Statement of Governor Kaine On Navy's Contract for Eight More Virginia Class Submarines

Governor Timothy M. Kaine today issued the following statement on the Navy's announcement that Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Newport News and General Dynamics Electric Boat will work as a team to complete the order of eight additional nuclear-powered Virginia Class Submarines. The production rate will eventually double to two submarines per year. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, which is headquartered in Falls Church:

"The Navy's order for additional submarines will have significant impact on Virginians. As a result of the new contract, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding will invest an estimated $250 million in a new production facility and required equipment. The company projects adding more than 2,000 new jobs between 2011 and 2015.

"The employment opportunities for this contract are far-reaching. Multiple Virginia companies who provide subcontractor services to Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat will also benefit from a project of this magnitude.

"On top of this great news, six weeks ago we announced the plans for the new AREVA Newport News facilitybeing built atthe Newport News shipyard, which will also use Northrop Grumman's skilled crafts workforce.Combine these two developments and we areexpecting more than $600 million in capital investment on the Newport News waterfront, and the creation of more than 2,500 well-paid advanced manufacturing jobs. This will increase the shipyard's workforce by more than 10 percent."

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