Marathon Petroleum has been recognized for its environmental efforts at the Port of Long Beach, receiving the 2024 Green Flag Award. The award acknowledges the company’s participation in a voluntary vessel speed reduction program that aims to lower emissions by having ships travel at reduced speeds near the port. According to Ashlee Gattuso, Commercial Marine Operations Manager at Marathon Petroleum, “Earning the Port of Long Beach Green Flag Award year after year is part of our unwavering commitment to the environment and to the communities where we operate.”
In other developments, California Forever has announced plans for Solano Foundry, a proposed 2,100-acre advanced manufacturing park in Solano County. CEO Jan Sramek introduced the project at the Reindustrialize Summit in Detroit in July 2025. The facility is expected to cover 40 million square feet and support industries such as robotics, advanced transportation, energy, and defense. It is projected to create 40,000 jobs and would be located seven miles from a planned deep-water shipyard. This initiative is part of California Forever’s broader plan for a master-planned city in southeast Solano County.
The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) has opened nominations for its third annual Coolest Thing Made in California contest. The competition highlights products made within the state and emphasizes manufacturing’s role in supporting 1.3 million jobs and contributing $310 billion to California’s GDP. Nominations are open from July 21 through August 29 on coolestthingcalifornia.com, with voting rounds scheduled throughout September and early October. The winner will be announced on October 22 at an event in Sacramento.
CMTA encourages those interested to follow their social media channels for updates on manufacturing news.
