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Trump Announces Cleveland as Site for New U.S. Submarine Component Repair Center
By Drooid · · How we work
Announcement Details
President Donald Trump announced at a Youngstown rally that the Department of War has selected Cleveland, Ohio, for a U.S. Submarine Component Repair Center. The 46,000-square-foot facility will manufacture, repair and maintain key parts for all current submarine classes. No specific site or construction timetable was provided.
Legislative Background
The announcement follows an August 13 presidential memorandum directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to develop a plan within 90 days for a centrally located hub near major road, rail and river networks, capable of maintaining at least one “ship set” of spare equipment for Los Angeles, Virginia, Seawolf, Ohio and Columbia-class submarines.
Facility Scope and Intended Capabilities
- Size: 46,000 sq ft.
- Functions: Manufacture, repair, and maintenance of submarine components for all current U.S. submarine classes.
- Goal: Provide a centralized inventory to reduce repair backlogs and support rapid fleet readiness.
Official Reactions
- White House: Press secretary Katie Zacharia briefed reporters, reiterating that the Department of War will build the center and that details remain limited.
- Ohio Senator Jon Husted: Praised the selection, emphasizing Northeast Ohio’s skilled workforce, infrastructure and strategic location as assets for national security and job creation.
Local and Industry Perspectives
Bartlett Maritime, a Cleveland-based firm that has partnered with the Navy since 2024, welcomed the announcement, saying the center would add “desperately needed capacity” to the submarine industrial base. The company has long advocated for a repair hub in the region, previously proposing sites in Lorain and Lordstown. Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley also reiterated his city’s readiness to host the center, though no official Navy response has been received.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Location Details: Sources agree the center will be in Cleveland, but the exact address or whether the footprint will occupy a single site or multiple parcels is unknown.
- Job Impact: Bartlett previously projected up to 15,000 new jobs in Northeast Ohio from a similar facility, but the administration has not released employment estimates for this center.
- Timeline: The August memorandum required a location plan within 90 days; no follow-up schedule for construction or operational start-up has been disclosed.
Verbatim Quote
- “I’m … pleased to announce that the Department of War has officially selected the new home of the U.S. Submarine Component Repair Center, a big deal that everybody wanted, and it’s going to be right here in Ohio, in Cleveland, Ohio.” — Donald Trump, President of the United States