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Triumph Forward term sheet advances Birdon shipyard plan; mayor outlines jobs, noise study and next approvals
Summary
Mayor Sarno said a Triumph Forward term sheet and related grant agreement move Pensacola closer to a Birdon shipbuilding facility at the port that could bring about 2,000 jobs and up to $160 million in annual payroll; the project still requires grant approvals, a lease, and council sign-off.
Mayor Sarno told media the Triumph Forward board has approved a term sheet for a grant agreement with Birdon that clears two of three major steps toward a proposed shipbuilding facility at the port and sets the stage for a grant-agreement vote later this summer.
The mayor framed the development as a major economic opportunity: “That is very real high quality job opportunity for our residents,” he said, describing the project as a roughly $104 million, 400,000-square-foot facility supported by about $11 million in road and rail repairs funded after Hurricane Sally. Sarno estimated the operation could produce as many as 2,000 jobs at full scale and described a projected annual payroll of about $160 million.
Why it matters: If the grants and lease approvals come through, city officials say the project could add large-scale manufacturing jobs and generate secondary economic activity in construction, subcontracting and services. The mayor said the city is planning a workforce summit with Pensacola State, the University of West Florida, CareerSource Florida and federal partners to align training pipelines so local residents can compete for the new positions.
What remains: Sarno said Birdon is completing a noise study requested by the city to confirm manufacturing activities will not create an undue noise burden. The city intends to bring a grant agreement to Triumph (the port development board) and then present lease terms for city council approval. Sarno added that, depending on grant outcomes, the city expects the project would not require direct city tax dollars but emphasized that outcome is contingent on federal and state awards.
Details the mayor provided: He highlighted existing infrastructure investments that will help the project, discussed parking and traffic planning (including exploring a parking garage and a pedestrian catwalk over train tracks to address employee commuting needs), and emphasized phased staffing: the 2,000 jobs would be developed over several years rather than filled the day a lease is signed.
The next steps: City staff will review the noise study and finalize grant and lease documents. Triumph and city council reviews are planned before any final approvals; Sarno said he expected the grant agreement to be presented this summer and the Triumph review to occur before a council vote.
Speakers quoted: Mayor Sarno.
Ending: The mayor said the administration will continue working with Birdon, Triumph and regional partners on permitting, workforce development and infrastructure and will report back as documents and study results become available.
