Lake Walk in Bryan, Texas, has rapidly positioned itself as a rising star in the nation’s business landscape, attracting companies from biomedical, defense, and technology sectors. A recent addition to this growing ecosystem is BlueForge Alliance, a nonprofit that has been making waves in the defense industrial space. On September 10, 2024, the U.S. Navy released a statement awarding BlueForge a $950 million contract aimed at bolstering the Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) in preparation for key elements of the AUKUS security pact, a significant defense collaboration between the U.S., U.K., and Australia.
This contract is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen America’s defense manufacturing capabilities with a focus on expanding supply chains, workforce development, and advanced technologies like robotics and additive manufacturing. Approximately $500 million of this contract will be allocated to foreign military sales (FMS), largely supporting Australia’s expected purchase of several Virginia-class submarines. The contract’s primary goal is to ensure that the United States remains at the forefront of defense readiness, as it continues to scale up both domestic and international submarine production.
BlueForge Alliance, headquartered at Lake Walk, has been pivotal in addressing the U.S. Navy’s workforce and industrial needs. In just two years of operation, BlueForge has quickly earned a reputation for efficiency and innovation. Prior to this new contract, BlueForge had already received $500 million from the Navy for its efforts, which include leading campaigns to attract new workers to shipbuilding. The non-profit has even run national advertising during Major League Baseball games and NASCAR events to attract potential recruits. With this latest award, BlueForge’s total government contracts now exceed $1.3 billion.
Lake Walk, a thoughtfully upscale, mixed-use development in Bryan-College Station, Texas, is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for businesses like BlueForge Alliance. Known for its proximity to Texas A&M University and RELLIS, the Lake Walk community offers easy access to a rich talent pool, world-class research facilities, and cutting-edge technology resources. Since its beginnings in 2017, Lake Walk has drawn a variety of companies in the defense, biomedical, and tech industries, fostering a collaborative environment conducive to innovation and growth.
The AUKUS security pact, announced in 2021, is one of the most significant defense agreements in recent history, aiming to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines as a counterbalance to growing regional threats. The United States, as part of this pact, is tasked with ramping up its submarine production and workforce capabilities. BlueForge Alliance’s role is critical in this endeavor as the company has been instrumental in recruiting and training new workers, ensuring that the U.S. can meet its production goals.
According to Navy officials, BlueForge is not only focusing on workforce expansion but also on enhancing manufacturing technologies. These advancements are essential to increasing the efficiency and scalability of submarine production while ensuring that the U.S. defense sector remains robust and capable of meeting future demands.
Matt Sermon, a Navy civilian overseeing submarine industrial base efforts, emphasized that BlueForge’s work extends beyond mere recruitment. The organization is leading a consortium of universities and private companies that are developing new technologies and materials crucial to submarine production. These efforts are aligned with the broader strategy to strengthen the SIB and ensure the U.S. Navy is well-prepared for the challenges posed by modern warfare.
With BlueForge Alliance’s new $950 million contract and the continued growth of Lake Walk, Bryan-College Station, Texas, is poised to play a significant role in the nation’s defense and technology industries for years to come. The growing development at Lake Walk is not only attracting top-tier companies but also contributing to the economic and technological advancement of the region.
As more companies like BlueForge Alliance choose to call Lake Walk home, the area is quickly becoming a premier destination for business innovation in Texas. The combination of a strategic location, access to top talent, and a collaborative environment is proving to be a winning formula for businesses looking to grow and thrive in today’s competitive landscape.
