Note from the President

Doug Smith, Alliance President & CEO

Our efforts to attract Australian companies into Newport News Shipbuilding's supply chain are gaining momentum. Supported by the AUKUS security partnership among Australia, the UK, and the United States, we aim to enhance collaboration on security and defense technologies and supply chains. Recently, in partnership with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, we held an event at the Mariner’s Museum where we formalized a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South Metropolitan TAFE, a college system in Australia to collaborate as we train future global shipbuilders, solidifying our commitment to workforce development and international collaboration.

In addition, we led a delegation from Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and James City County to the SME Montreal Manufacturing and Technology Show. This premier event featured 170 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge technologies, where we engaged with Canadian manufacturers and technology leaders, promoting Hampton Roads as an ideal location for international advanced manufacturing companies. Our participation in the Select USA conference in Washington DC further underscored our efforts to attract foreign investment, with over 5,000 attendees from 87 international markets and 56 states and territories in attendance.

Recently, Hampton Roads welcomed two new businesses. We celebrated Total Quality Logistics’ expansion into the region during a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Kenny Alexander, at their new Norfolk location, highlighting the growing logistics sector supported by the strategic location and infrastructure of the Port of Virginia. Additionally, we marked AMP Robotics' entry into Portsmouth, with Mayor Shannon Glover, showcasing their innovative AI and automation solutions for recycling, which aligns with our vision of leveraging technology to address global challenges.

As we move forward into the summer, the Alliance remains committed to capitalizing on the region’s strengths in energy, defense, and aviation. Stay tuned for some major announcements and additional action plans in the coming weeks.

Your ally in economic development,

Let Them See It And They Will Come: Area Development Forum In Hampton Roads

In June 2024, Area Development brought the prestigious site selector conference – Consultants Forum 35 – to the region, holding it at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort. “This is the first time that this site selection conference has been held in Hampton Roads,” said Steve Harrison, Chief Operating Officer for the Hampton Roads Alliance. “It’s a big deal because it brings site selectors directly to us to see what we are all about. We often say that if we bring site selectors here the region sells itself. The opportunity to bring all those people here is priceless.”

In addition to the Hampton Roads Alliance, host sponsors for the June 2024 event included the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, The Port of Virginia and the City of Virginia Beach.

Western Australia And Hampton Roads Forge Partnership To Train Future Shipbuilders

A technical college in Western Australia and the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, in partnership with the Hampton Roads Alliance, announced this month a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at developing the next generation of global shipbuilders. This strategic collaboration will leverage the workforce development and training strengths of both regions to help equip future submarine builders with the skills and knowledge necessary to support the defense maritime sector. The Hampton Roads Workforce Council made the partnership official by signing a memorandum of understanding with South Metropolitan TAFE during a ceremony at the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News.

Magazine Jukebox Raises $2.7 Million in Seed Round, Paving the Way for Global Expansion

In a remarkable milestone for the Hampton Roads innovation ecosystem, Magazine Jukebox, Inc., headquartered in Hampton Roads, Virginia, has successfully closed its seed round, raising an impressive $2.7 million. This significant achievement underscores the company’s rapid growth and the widespread confidence in its innovative digital entertainment platform.

HTRFA Enters Interim Agreement for Live Performance Venue

The Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority voted unanimously to approve an interim agreement with MEB General Contractors Inc. to design a live performance venue on the property. The HTRFA is the regional entity established by the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County to evaluate, construct, and operate recreational facilities supported by one or more of the participating localities. The regional sports center, planned for the approximately 62.9 acres adjacent to the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center which HTRFA leases from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, is the first phase of the project and is now under construction.

Total Quality Logistics Announces Opening Of Office In Norfolk, VA

Total Quality Logistics, the second-largest freight brokerage in North America and one of the largest global third-party logistics firms, is expanding its presence in Virginia with a new office in Norfolk. The expansion reinforces TQL’s investment in Virginia. TQL opened its Richmond office in 2015 and is an eight-time Best Places to Work in Virginia award recipient.

Virginia Ranked No. 1 in Nation for Customized Workforce Training

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Virginia is ranked No. 1 in the United States for Customized Workforce Training in the 20th annual Business Facilities Rankings Report. This is the second year in a row that the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program has earned the No. 1 recognition.

How Hampton Roads Leaders are Looking at Transit to Help Boost the Region’s Economy

Hampton Roads leaders say strong transit is key to attracting companies, while new development has cities like Chesapeake reexamining public transportation’s value.

When Hampton Roads leaped into the public competition to host Amazon’s second headquarters, its application included a laundry list of the region’s best features and the changes it would make for the megacorporation.

Atapco Properties Acquires Land Along Enterprise Dr for $23.5 Million

Atapco Properties, Inc. has acquired 124 acres of industrial land within the Virginia Port Logistics Park in Suffolk. The site, located at 2500 Enterprise Drive, can accommodate up to 1.5 million square feet, either in one large industrial building or multiple structures. According to land transfer reports, Atapco purchased the land for $23.5 million.  

Liebherr to Expand Newport News-Hampton Facility

Newport News-based Liebherr Mining Equipment will invest $72.3 million to expand a plant at the border of Newport News and Hampton, creating an estimated 175 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced.

“We thank Liebherr, an international leader in mining equipment manufacturing, for its commitment to the commonwealth of Virginia,” Youngkin said in a statement. “Liebherr has recognized that Virginia is strategically located to serve as its global production headquarters for mining trucks and service customers within the United States and across the world.”

INVESTOR SPOTLIGHTS

How Dominion is Building its Offshore Wind Farm — Including Underwater Cables and a Giant Crane

Dominion Energy recently started the 176-turbine Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. WHRO toured some initial construction in Virginia Beach – on and off the water. About 27 miles off the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, a pair of towering wind turbines come into view. Soon, the two pilot turbines will simply be the entryway to a much bigger project. Dominion recently started building what will be the nation’s largest commercial offshore wind farm.

Impressive Growth at the Port of Virginia

Total annual cargo transported by ultra-large shipping vessels has more than doubled since 2020. Shippers are increasingly opting for vessels capable of 20,000 plus TEUs, and the Port of Virginia appears poised to capitalize on this trend. 

Milestone Moment: ODU and EVMS Announce Historic Naming Gifts at Community Celebration

Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School hosted a community celebration at Hilton Norfolk The Main on June 7 to commemorate the integration of EVMS into ODU. The celebration is a direct result of a community-inspired and collaboratively led journey to provide increased levels of support and visibility to EVMS and followed a more than two-year extensive planning process that involved hundreds of people from both campuses, as well as key partners, including the Commonwealth of Virginia and Sentara Health.

Norfolk International Airport Breaks Ground on $1 Billion in Improvements

For the first time in 25 years, major improvements are coming to the Norfolk International Airport. A groundbreaking was held to celebrate $1 billion in capital improvements. Some of those improvements include a hotel, an operational moving walkway, a federal inspection facility, parking garages and three new gates.

Airport officials say ORF continues to break records with the number of people traveling through the airport, with 5 million expected this year.

View as Webpage

Click here to sign up to receive the Hampton Roads Alliance newsletter.

Click here to submit a story to the Hampton Roads Alliance newsletter.

www.hamptonroadsalliance.com