Gov. Gavin Newsom sharply criticized Solano County officials on Wednesday for delaying a proposed shipyard project backed by billionaire investors, warning of a "reckoning" for local leaders he believes are hindering economic development.
Newsom's remarks marked his strongest public endorsement to date of the California Forever initiative, a plan led by former Goldman Sachs trader Jan Sramek and supported by prominent Silicon Valley figures like Marc Andreessen, Reid Hoffman, and Laurene Powell Jobs. "I would have supported [the proposal] in a nanosecond," Newsom stated at a news conference Tuesday, a day after the Solano County Board of Supervisors declined to advance special legislation that would have expedited the project.
The governor voiced his frustration with the county's decision, highlighting recent economic losses in the region, including a refinery, a brewery, and a dry dock. "People are struggling. People are suffering. This community, a lot of people are left behind," he said, emphasizing the need for jobs and investment.
California Forever has acquired nearly 70,000 acres in Solano County and has been pursuing plans for a new city intended to house up to 400,000 residents. The company recently scaled back its broader urban development ambitions to concentrate on securing approval for a large shipyard near Collinsville.
However, the effort faced a significant setback when Saronic, a potential anchor tenant for the shipyard, withdrew its commitment and relocated to Texas. The county supervisors' vote against supporting the fast-track legislation further complicated the project's path forward.
Assemblywoman Lori Wilson and State Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, local representatives, have been involved in discussions but have not committed to carrying California Forever's proposed legislation. Wilson stated that she would allow the county to lead on shipbuilding and manufacturing opportunities, acknowledging the board's current lack of support.
Newsom suggested that the supervisors' delay could be equivalent to a denial in the current competitive economic climate. "Delay can be denial in the context of the competitive landscape that's out there," he said, adding, "Time matters."
The governor positioned the project as consistent with his administration's goals to revitalize industrial development and streamline construction processes in California, a state often criticized for its lengthy permitting procedures. "It's not about bypassing process — it's about limiting process, so it's not abused," Newsom explained.
Solano County officials, however, countered that they had offered California Forever an expedited local approval process and had engaged in numerous meetings. They noted that the company had not submitted a formal application or detailed shipyard proposal during the period when local officials claim to have offered assistance.
Newsom lamented what he described as a state development bureaucracy and local government inertia that impedes progress. "We got to step up our game in this state," he urged, likening California's permitting system to a "jungle gym, not even a ladder."
While Newsom expressed strong support for the shipyard's industrial ambitions, he stopped short of endorsing all aspects of California Forever's expansive development plan. He stated his commitment is "directionally" toward such industrial development rather than to specific proposals.
Newsom confirmed he has been in direct communication with California Forever's CEO, indicating his administration has been engaged in discussions with the company for years as part of its economic development focus.
The governor maintained his expectation that Solano County officials would eventually support the project, asserting his belief in local decision-making but deeming the request for the shipyard legislation reasonable. "They delayed it, they didn't deny it — and I think it's inevitable they'll ultimately embrace it," he concluded.