Note from the President

Doug Smith, Alliance President & CEO

On April 15th the Alliance hosted a reception aboard the Battleship Wisconsin alongside the Hampton Roads Workforce Council and the Government of South Australia, bringing together key stakeholders from Hampton Roads and Australia, fostering invaluable connections and discussions. The Alliance also unveiled the expanded Offshore Wind Landing, now known as the IDEA Lab, representing Innovation, Defense, Energy, and Aerospace. The IDEA Lab will host companies focused on these industries as it has for the past few years with our Offshore Wind partners. The first defense related company to join the lab came from the Australian delegation: Quality Maritime Surveyors (QMS), a company that specializes in nondestructive testing and inspection of materials used in marine vessels. QMS plans to establish a submarine and shipbuilding training institution in Norfolk and will use the IDEA Lab as a temporary home as they cement those plans. They plan to seek a permanent home in Newport News once established.

When it comes to the defense industry, there is only one Hampton Roads. In the same way that offshore wind represented a generational opportunity for this region, AUKUS and the increasing needs from the defense community are the region’s chance to grow what is the heart of our economy: the maritime industrial base. Stay tuned as we do just that, and we hope you’ll join us.

Your ally in economic development,

Toi Hunter and the Quest to Learn More Culminated in a Career in Economic Development

Toi Hunter grew up 20 minutes from River Ridge Mall in Lynchburg. When she would wander the shops there as a kid, she wasn’t as focused on fashion and food like many her age. A curiosity inside her wanted to understand the business side of things.

“I’d ask myself, ‘Who is the person who runs this whole operation? Who decides this store goes there and that one, over there?’”

QMS Expands Operations to Virginia to Enhance Maritime Training and Innovation

Quality Maritime Surveyors (QMS), a leading provider of maritime non-destructive testing education and training in Australia is proud to announce its expansion into Virginia. Doug Smith, President & CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance, expressed his enthusiasm for QMS’s arrival, stating, “Hampton Roads is the nation’s premier military metro and QMS’s commitment to advancing maritime excellence in our region is commendable. Their expertise will undoubtedly strengthen our regional shipbuilding ecosystem and contribute to the success of initiatives like the AUKUS submarine program.”

Governor Youngkin Announces $1.5 Million in Grants Through the Port Host Community Revitalization Fund

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced $1.5 million in Port Host Communities Revitalization Fund awards for the cities of Newport News, Norfolk and Portsmouth in advance of his international trade mission to Taiwan, Japan and South Korea where he will discuss Virginia's expansive and growing port capabilities with key industry leaders. The three grants will redevelop a world-class maritime operations and logistics center in Norfolk, a bulkhead replacement project in Portsmouth and the rehabilitation of a waterfront industrial property in Newport News.

Virginia Beach’s new economic development director on regional cooperation, booming investment interest

Charles “Chuck” Rigney, the city’s new director of economic development, landed the job at an opportune time. Virginia Beach had just closed a deal with Amazon to build a fulfillment center and delivery station off Dam Neck Road. Rigney would head up implementation.

“They give me the ball on the one yard line with first and goal,” Rigney said. “You don’t want to fumble the ball. It was a nice one to come in on and help this team just get it finished.”

HRBT Boring Machine Finishes First New Tunnel

Mary, the tunnel boring machine for the new Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion, completed the first new tunnel at the HRBT's North Island Wednesday morning, a major milestone for the project.

‘Everyone Deserves a Second Chance’: Hampton Roads Job Fair Connects Previously Incarcerated People to Employers

A job fair is giving previously incarcerated individuals an opportunity to talk one-on-one with local employers. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares said the biggest barrier after release is getting employment. To help with that process, the Returning Citizens Career and Wellness Fair was born.

Portsmouth Looks to Buy Shuttered Hampton Roads Regional Jail

What do you do with a jail that’s shut down and taking up a lot of space? The mayor of Portsmouth and other city officials have an idea. Portsmouth’s current jail is 55 years old and sits along the city’s waterfront. Across the river, you can see Norfolk’s Waterside District. From Waterside, you can see the Portsmouth jail. City leaders are looking to change that.

Australian Maritime Co. to Start Sub/Shipbuilding School in Hampton Roads

An Australian maritime company announced it will set up a submarine and shipbuilding training institution in Norfolk for the short term and will seek a permanent home in Newport News. Quality Maritime Surveyors (QMS), based in the suburbs of Adelaide, Australia, is one of the pioneering companies to take the plunge into Virginia’s waters, following a 2021 agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Future of Energy in Hampton Roads: Local Leaders Weigh how to Meet Rising Demand

Hampton Roads officials are discussing how to address energy demand that’s expected to surge in the coming decades — because they say doing nothing is not an option. The ongoing discussions have grown out of a regional analysis a couple years ago called the Hampton Roads Long-Term Energy Roadmap. 

Virginia to Showcase UxS and Advanced Air Mobility Systems Technology at AUVSI Xponential 2024

Unmanned vehicle systems companies and organizations from Virginia will exhibit their products and services at AUVSI Xponential 2024, the industry’s largest global conference and exhibition in San Diego. The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) is organizing the Virginia Pavilion to showcase the Commonwealth’s national leadership in unmanned systems business and technology development. Also at the pavilion, VEDP is collaborating with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, the Hampton Roads Alliance, the Loudoun County Economic Development Authority, the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance, and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, to market the state and its communities to members of the unmanned systems industry as places to locate their manufacturing and business operations.

The Arts are 'Increasing the Joy' in South Hampton Roads, and Boosting the Local Economy

The arts are a prominent aspect of Hampton Roads. Those traveling through the seven cities can't help but see the colorful murals, grand statues and assortment of art museums. Though, the arts aren't just visual spectacles; they also generate millions of dollars within the local economy.

According to a recent study by Americans for the Arts, the nonprofit arts and culture industry in South Hampton Roads had a total economic impact of $270 million in 2022.

A Win-Win Situation:

Apprenticeship program helps STIHL develop a skilled manufacturing workforce

A growing number of employers nationwide — some, perhaps, influenced by the eye-popping success of Virginia employers like STIHL — are waking up to the value of well-resourced apprenticeship programs. There are currently 600,000 registered apprentices of all kinds in the United States, a 106% increase from 10 years ago, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. 

Despite Inflation Ticking up, the Hampton Roads Economy Shows Promise

A new report from the Labor Department shows the inflation rate ticked up to 3.5% in March — that’s more than economists expected. Gas, rent and car insurance are primarily to blame for the slight increase.

According to Moody’s Analytics, people are paying $227 more every month on necessities like groceries, housing and gas.

But the most recent local report card from the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission tells a different story about the state of the economy.

EVENT: An Executive Briefing on the Economics of Early Childhood in Hampton Roads

Learn about the impacts of early childhood challenges, especially childcare, on Hampton Roads businesses, the military, and our economy. A panel discussion will share ideas and strategies being implemented to help address the needs. Doug Smith, Alliance President & CEO will give opening remarks.

INVESTOR SPOTLIGHTS

New +/- 352,000 SF Industrial Development Breaks Ground in Isle of Wight County

W.M. Jordan Development, Colliers, and Isle of Wight County Economic Development are proud to announce the beginning of construction for a new Class A industrial building in Isle of Wight County. Commerce Center will provide +/- 352,000 square feet of light industrial manufacturing / warehouse space.

Hampton Roads-Based Kaufman & Canoles Names New President and CEO

Kaufman & Canoles, a Hampton Roads-based business law firm dating back to 1919, has a new leader. Jason R. Davis has taken over as president and chief executive officer, the firm announced. The transition occurred after an 18-month strategic planning process to replace William R. Van Buren III, who served as president and chairman for the past 16 years. Van Buren will continue to serve as chairman of the board.

Hampton Roads Shipbuilders Grappling with Worker Shortage; New Grant May Streamline Hiring Process

The U.S. Navy's 293 deployable warships need to be constantly maintained to be ready to fight. But there simply aren't enough people in the workforce of today.

The Hampton Roads Workforce Council has said there are 10,000 openings locally right now, and the number could climb to 40,000 by 2030.

Paul D. Camp Breaks Ground on New Workforce Center

It was a celebratory moment for Paul D. Camp Community College as local and state dignitaries came to break ground for the college’s upcoming Workforce Trade and Innovation Center at the site of what was once Farmer Joe’s on Carolina Rd.  Following a property donation valued at $1.1 million by Coastal Virginia Developers in August 2023, the center aims to provide industry credential training while helping prepare students for in-demand jobs. The facility will also include programs for maritime trades and infrastructure trade programs. 

Old Dominion University Professor Discusses Economic Impact of Baltimore Key Bridge Collapse in Hampton Roads

Economic experts are weighing in on what the impact will be in Hampton Roads following the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse.

"It's a short-term gain versus a short-term loss," Vinod Agarwal, an economic professor at Old Dominion University, said.

Agarwal said if Hampton Roads sees an increase in business it will only be for a short time.

TowneBank Celebrates 25 Years

Congratulations, TowneBank!

What started in a garage in Portsmouth, VA, has expanded to 51 banking offices across Virginia and North Carolina managed by over 2,700 employees. The Towne family of services has grown to include Towne Insurance and Benefits, TowneBank Mortgage, Towne Wealth Management, Towne Vacations, Towne 1031 Exchange, TowneBank Commercial Mortgage, RW Towne Title, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices RW Towne Realty.

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