Garamendi Meets with Local Leaders in Richmond

RICHMOND, CA — On Thursday, Congressman Garamendi, a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, convened members of the Working Waterfront Coalition in Richmond to plan partnerships and funding opportunities.

“Until the 1950s, the maritime industry was the engine of Solano and Contra Costa Counties, creating thousands of quality, good paying jobs,” Garamendi said. “Fortunately, the Make it in America policies I have championed in Congress along with the historic green energy investments in the Inflation Reduction Act can reinvigorate this once booming industry. Today we fostered community-government collaboration needed to ensure that our communities benefit from this growing sector, and that our residents are prepared for this employment opportunity.”

In Congress, Garamendi continues working to revitalize Contra Costa and Mare Island's shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing industries to create good-paying union jobs in the North and East Bay. In 2021, Garamendi secured a provision in federal law designating the California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) as national center of excellence for domestic maritime workforce training and education, ensuring closer cooperation and sharing of resources with the Maritime Administration (MARAD). In 2022, Garamendi announced a $13 million investment at Mare Island Dry Dock that will double its workforce and help the shipyard prepare to conduct ship repairs for the United States Navy and Coast Guard. In 2023, Garamendi secured $1 million for job training programs at a new Career Technical Education Center at Kennedy High School in Richmond, CA. This will help young people throughout the Bay Area receive the highest possible industry-standard certifications to help them earn high-wage jobs in the skilled trades.

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