Colonna’s Shipyard plans to add 51 positions in Norfolk

Colonna’s Shipyard Inc. announced Friday it will invest $30 million to expand its operation in Norfolk. The expansion is expected to create 51 jobs.

The company will add a larger dry dock and also dredge and improve the channel and bulkhead.

Colonna’s Shipyard, founded in 1875, is the oldest continuous family-owned and operated private shipyard in the U.S.

“The 140-year relationship with the community, the talented employees living in this area and the support received from the City of Norfolk and the Commonwealth of Virginia made Norfolk the right choice for Colonna’s to pursue the necessary capital improvements to allow us to expand our dry dock operation,” Tom Godfrey, Colonna’s Shipyard Inc. CEO, said in a statement. “This expansion will allow Colonna’s to continue to provide quality services to both commercial and government customers throughout the region.”

Gov. Terry McAuliffe approved a $200,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Norfolk with the project. He also approved a $250,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership program.

The company is eligible to receive benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program and support for the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.