The cities of Augusta and Eastport are joining forces to welcome a new Navy ship into the fleet later this month when the USS Augusta is officially commissioned.

The Alabama-built Independence-variant littoral combat ship will be commissioned at 10 a.m. Sept. 30, giving a boost to the local Washington County economy and shining a light on the state’s capital city.

“It’s an honor to be the namesake community,” said Augusta Mayor Mark O’Brien. “The fact that it’s named after Augusta speaks to Maine’s naval history and heritage.”

The ship will be the second Navy vessel named for Augusta, following the 1985 commission of a submarine that served for 24 years, according to the Navy.

The submarine took part in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, launching Tomahawk missiles against Iraqi targets in 2003.

The 419-foot USS Augusta was christened in December of 2022 by former Maine Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Leigh Saufley, who is now dean of the University of Maine School of Law.

After the Sept. 30 commissioning, it will be based in San Diego.

Interim Eastport City Manager Bud Finch said the event is a “chance to show off our community” and demonstrates the strong ties the city has with the Navy.

“The USS Augusta being here is a very wonderful moment for us,” he said. “It’s really good for our economy. We’re very proud to have it here because of our relationship with the U.S. Navy.”

Part of that relationship is the Navy’s commitment to sending a ship to the city’s deep-water port every July 4th to celebrate the holiday, Finch said.

O’Brien and several city councilors will travel to Eastport for the event, which will include a VIP reception and tours after the commissioning.

Back in February, ship Commander Christopher Polnaszek toured Augusta and attended a city council meeting. He came back in July to walk in the city’s July 4 parade, O’Brien said.

O’Brien said the city’s partnership with the Eastport Port Authority has been invaluable as they prepare for the event that’s expected to draw well over 1,000 people to a city with a population of fewer than 1,300.

Anyone interested in attending the free event should sign up at ussaugustacommissioning.org.