Key facts
- California Forever's proposal for a shipyard and manufacturing hub in Solano County has been rejected by state lawmakers.
- The legislation sought to accelerate approvals for a 1,350-acre shipyard and maritime manufacturing hub.
- Solano County supervisors voted against supporting the special legislation.
- Assemblymember Lori Wilson stated she will not carry legislation for the shipyard.
- California Forever's broader vision for a new Bay Area metropolis has been scaled back.
California Forever, a development group backed by billionaires, has seen its efforts to fast-track a shipyard and manufacturing hub in Solano County thwarted by state lawmakers and local officials. The group, which has acquired nearly 70,000 acres in the county, initially envisioned a large-scale new city but has now focused on a narrower proposal for a shipyard.
Despite lobbying efforts and the prospect of thousands of jobs, the "Solano Maritime and Manufacturing Act" faced significant resistance. Solano County supervisors voted against supporting the special legislation after a contentious meeting. State Assemblymember Lori Wilson announced she would not advance the bill, stating she would defer to the county's lead on manufacturing opportunities.
California Forever's push for the shipyard faced skepticism from local residents and lawmakers, with some characterizing the proposal as a "sweetheart deal." The company had previously faced a setback when defense startup Saronic chose Texas over Solano County for a major complex. The rejection of the shipyard legislation marks another blow to the group's ambitious development plans in the Bay Area.