Tuberville Marks Submarine Plant Opening in Shoals
New $2.4B facility in Cherokee to build sub parts, bring 1,000 jobs to North Alabama
A major defense project has taken a step forward in North Alabama, as U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville joined federal and State leaders to mark the opening of a new submarine manufacturing facility in Cherokee.
The site, operated by Hadrian, spans roughly 2.2 million square feet and will produce key components for both Virginia-class submarine and Columbia-class submarine programs.
The project combines $900 million in federal funding with $1.5 billion in private investment. Officials estimate it will bring more than 1,000 high-paying jobs to the region.
Tuberville, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, has pushed for the project as part of broader efforts to expand domestic defense production. He spoke at the ceremony alongside Secretary of the Navy John Phelan and Sen. Katie Britt.
“It’s been less than a year since President Trump signed his Executive Order titled ‘Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,’” said Tuberville. “And here we are today cutting the ribbon on this new manufacturing facility that will change shipbuilding forever. We are no longer limited by shipyards and coastline. We will build submarines, at least pieces of them, in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Alabama is already a leader in space, defense, and cyber technology and now we’ll be leading the way in restoring America’s maritime dominance.”
Tuberville first previewed the project last week in remarks to the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce. The Cherokee facility reflects a shift in how the Navy sources and builds its fleet, spreading production inland to speed delivery and reduce strain on coastal shipyards.
State leaders say the investment adds to Alabama’s growing defense footprint, linking advanced manufacturing with national security priorities while boosting the Shoals region’s economy.
