Introducing Unlocking Hampton Roads, your resource for economic development and international business expansion in the region, delivered monthly to your inbox by the Economic Development Task Force at Willcox Savage.

JUNE 2025

In This Edition

Feature | ICYMI - Recap of panelists’ insights from this month‘s economic development program

Here & Now | Acoustical Sheetmetal Company announces third expansion in Virginia Beach

Word in the ‘Roads |Digest of significant press releases and investment announcements from over 40 of the region’s economic development authorities, alliances, chambers, incubators, and local governments

Legislative Affairs & Regulatory Compliance | EVRIFA (Eastern Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority)—a new frontier in economic development

Where’s WilSav | Catch up with attorneys on our Economic Development Task Force at the region’s upcoming conferences and conventions

Willcox Savage Business Solutions Series | Calendar August 12th for an employment law program from our lunch and learn speaker series delivering timely and operational-critical information to businesses operating in Hampton Roads

From left to right: Top row - Lisa M. Murphy, Land Use Attorney, Willcox Savage; Douglas L. Smith, President & CEO, Hampton Roads Alliance; Andrew Nissman , Director of Grants and Corporate Stewardship, Hampton Roads Workforce Council. Bottom row - James B. 'Jimmy" Wood, Employment Immigration Attorney, Willcox Savage;

Emily Archer, Deputy Director of Economic Development, Virginia Beach Economic Development; Preston Wilhelm, Deputy Director of Economic Development, Chesapeake Economic Development

Insights from our Panelists

The recent installment of the Willcox Savage Business Solution Series brought together leading voices from Hampton Roads’ economic and workforce development sectors to discuss the region’s powerful positioning in key industries. Panelists included representatives from Hampton Roads Alliance, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake Economic Development Departments, and the Hampton Roads Workforce Council. Their insights underscored Hampton Roads' unique advantages in maritime industry, defense manufacturing, ship repair, and emerging energy sectors.

Hampton Roads: A Strategic Hub for Business Expansion in Maritime, Defense, and Energy

Hampton Roads is embracing who it is— a strategic epicenter for national security, energy transformation, and maritime excellence—and doubling down on what it does better than anywhere else. With its deep talent base, port efficiency, growing international presence, and regional alignment, Hampton Roads is more than ready for companies seeking a foothold in a future-forward, globally connected, and infrastructure-rich environment.

Reinventing Regional Strategy

Doug Smith, President and CEO of Hampton Roads Alliance, emphasized a strategic shift back to Hampton Roads' roots as a maritime, industrial, and defense-centric region. As global conditions drive the U.S. toward re-militarization, re-industrialization, and energy security, Hampton Roads stands uniquely ready to respond. The region’s capabilities—ranging from nuclear shipbuilding to port logistics and aerospace innovation—are unmatched. With 20% of the nation’s shipbuilding and ship repair happening in the area, Hampton Roads is no longer trying to attract companies from scratch; it's attracting those already halfway down the funnel who know they need to be here.

A forthcoming 10-year regional economic development strategy, complete with a regional investment playbook, will codify these priorities: defense, energy (particularly nuclear), air and space, and port logistics.

Local Commitment: Virginia Beach and Chesapeake Step Up

Emily Archer from Virginia Beach highlighted the city’s dual focus on defense contractors and advanced technology tied to coastal resources. The city has become a hub for offshore wind initiatives, undersea data cables, and support infrastructure for emerging tech industries such as AI and cybersecurity. Virginia Beach has also created a soft-landing incubator for international firms, fostering defense intelligence and tech-focused enterprises from countries like the UK, Korea, and Japan.

Chesapeake’s Deputy Director of Economic Development, Preston Wilhelm, pointed to the city’s active development of industrial-ready sites—including a 90-acre shovel-ready parcel and the expansive Coastal Virginia Commerce Park (4,000 acres). He cited large-scale international projects like LS Greenlink's almost $700 million investment as examples of the region’s readiness for global business.

Workforce Development: Tackling the Talent Gap

Andrew Nissman of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council illustrated how the region’s workforce development is aligning with its economic goals. The Council supports maritime industries with its 2024-launched Regional Maritime Training System, which has already trained and placed 2,000 workers.

Recognizing a persistent shortage of trades like welders and electricians, the Council also targets healthcare and cybersecurity—sectors crucial to dual-use military and civilian applications.

Initiatives include collaboration with local community colleges and leveraging federal funding to build long-term skills pipelines. The Workforce Council also focuses on those transitioning out of military service and their spouses, aiming to retain the 14,000 service members who exit annually in the region.

Housing, Mobility, and Retention

Housing emerged as a critical concern. Emily Archer discussed Virginia Beach’s adoption of an attainable housing grant program modeled after Richmond’s program to retain young professionals and address workforce housing gaps. Nissman added that without affordable housing and transit access, retaining new talent—especially recent college grads—will remain a regional challenge.

International Recruitment and Global Connectivity

International interest in Hampton Roads is surging—especially from NATO countries, Korea, and Japan. These nations see the region’s proximity to U.S. military assets like Yorktown Naval Weapons Station as strategically essential. Virginia Beach has played a key role by creating office space for international companies entering the U.S. market. Meanwhile, Hampton Roads Alliance has partnered with cultural institutions like the Virginia Arts Festival to host country-specific engagements, effectively weaving quality of life into its pitch.

Collaboration and Regionalism: The Eastern Virginia RIFA Model

A game-changing regional collaboration tool—EVRIFA (Eastern Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority)—was spotlighted as a new frontier in economic development. The model allows cities with limited land or resources (e.g., Williamsburg) to invest in development in another locality (e.g., York County) and share in the revenues. This regional cooperation is already supporting major initiatives and is poised to become a foundational tool in Hampton Roads’ future development.

The Importance of Hiring Local Professional Support

Hiring local professional service providers—such as law firms, engineers, and consultants—is a critical success factor for businesses expanding into Hampton Roads. These professionals offer deep knowledge of local permitting processes, zoning regulations, and development timelines, and often have long-standing relationships with municipal stakeholders. Their involvement can significantly streamline complex projects.

While international companies may initially rely on national or foreign firms, they often discover that engaging local partners ensures smoother navigation of regulatory processes, fosters trust with municipalities, and connects them to a supportive business ecosystem.

As Preston Wilhelm of Chesapeake Economic Development, explained: “We had a $700 million international client that initially brought in out-of-state consultants—but they quickly realized the value of our local expertise. Local firms knew how to get things done.”

Ultimately, local professionals don’t just provide services—they help close deals and drive long-term success in the region.

Community Buy-In

The panel concluded with a powerful call to action for local professional service providers to actively support economic growth. Local businesses were encouraged to offer support, even at early stages when returns aren’t guaranteed. Participating in projects, providing testimony, and engaging with prospects help make the region’s economic ecosystem more welcoming and efficient. As Doug Smith put it, “We get paid to sell the region. But when you tell the story, it really matters.”

Watch Recording

Here & Now

Hampton Roads -- A premier destination for international businesses

Acoustical Sheetmetal Company Expanding in Virginia Beach for the Third Time

New 100,000 sq. ft. facility more than doubles capacity
200 new jobs to be created with expansion
After construction, the company will have more than 550,000 square feet of production space, making it one of the largest enclosure manufacturers in the country

Acoustical Sheetmetal Company (ASC) celebrates the opening of its new 100,000 square-foot facility which more than doubles the company’s manufacturing capacity and will add as many as 200 full-time advanced manufacturing jobs.

ASC, a manufacturer of sound attenuating and weather-protective enclosures for on-site power generation equipment, opened its new 20-acre Virginia Beach production facility, which caps a $15.8 million expansion to its existing Virginia Beach headquarters.

New opportunities

“This expansion more than doubles our manufacturing capacity, which means not only more jobs, but more opportunities for the advancement of our workforce,” said Margaret Shaia, CEO of ASC. “The creation of jobs is great, but what is even better is that the employees who have proven themselves are being offered leadership and other growth opportunities.”

The jobs created as part of the expansion arrive at a critical time as the Hampton Roads economy rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Acoustical Sheetmetal Company is an integral part of Virginia Beach’s dynamic manufacturing sector, which includes many well-known international companies such as STIHL, Busch Manufacturing and IMS Gear, among others,” noted Doug Smith, President & CEO of Hampton Roads Alliance. “With this new location, Acoustical Sheetmetal brings manufacturing to the new Innovation Park and with it comes the ability to further expand this already strong cluster. The direct impact and ripple effect of Acoustical Sheetmetal’s expansion is estimated to add more than $78.7 million to the region’s economy.”

“Because of the shipyards, there are many welding schools in the area. We are tapping into those resources to attract recent graduates and partnering with those schools to train our existing workforce,” said Shaia. “Many welders have traditionally felt that there was no other option but to go to the shipyard and didn’t realize we were here. In addition to welding, we offer metal fabrication and electrical positions in our manufacturing process, so it’s a little more variety.”

Increased manufacturing capacity

Two major goals were accomplished for ASC with its new facility: increased production capacity and significant storage space to provide flexibility to meet customers’ fluctuating construction schedules.

The new facility sits on 20 acres and includes 3 indoor cranes, totaling 120 tons of capacity. The expansion complements the company’s existing 5.5 acre site, consisting of 75,000 square feet of manufacturing space, an 11,000 square-foot clean storage facility, 2,000 square feet of administrative space, and an acre of staging space. This milestone bolsters the company’s position as a leading manufacturer in the power generation packaging industry. The company currently employs 220 at its Virginia Beach headquarters.

ASC selected WM Jordan as the general contractor who assembled a top-notch team to complete the project in under a year.

ASC expresses appreciation to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, City of Virginia Beach, and the Hampton Roads Alliance to secure the project for Virginia, and Atlantic Union Bank for their partnership. Governor Northam approved a $750,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Virginia Beach with the project.

Watch News Clip

Lisa Murphy, serving in her role as Chair of the Virginia Beach Economic Development Authority, kicks things off at the Acoustical expansion announcement on June 13, 2025.

Word in the ’Roads

Recent press releases from the regional economic development authorities

USAA Chooses Hampton Roads for Major Expansion, Creating 500+ Jobs in Chesapeake

USAA will build a nearly 200,000 sq. ft. facility in Chesapeake, adding over 500 new jobs over the next two years, reinforcing Hampton Roads’ position as a premier destination for military-connected businesses and workforce-driven investment.

The DeLong Co. Breaks Ground on Agricultural Export Facility in Portsmouth

The DeLong Co., in partnership with the Port of Virginia and state agencies, started work on a $26 million Agricultural Intermodal Export Facility at CSX Railyard. Designed to handle grain and food products via truck and rail, the project will store 15,000 metric tons and process up to 500,000 metric tons annually, boosting export capacity to markets in Asia. Completion expected early 2026 and will be the first on the East Coast capable of receiving unit trains and transloading agricultural products directly into export containers.

MSI Opens $61.6M Distribution Center in Suffolk

M S International launched a 548,000 sq. ft. East Coast distribution hub with a $61.6 million investment, generating 80 new jobs. Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Orange, California, MSI maintains 50 showrooms and distribution centers across North America. The company reports having over $2.5 billion in annual revenues and more than 3,000 U.S. employees. It has quartz, LVT, tile, turf, natural stone and porcelain products imported from over 37 countries on six continents.

Game-Changing $305K GO Virginia Grant for Economic Access Initiative

A $305,000 GO Virginia Region 5 grant will expand Neighborhood’s Economic Access Initiative, training workers for careers in shipbuilding, cybersecurity, data analytics, logistics, and warehousing across Hampton Roads. The Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable, the backbone of GO Virginia Region 5, is all in on this mission. Their focus? Driving economic growth through collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This grant is a testament to their work to make our 16-city region a magnet for opportunity.

SalesE & NAW Partnership: Revolutionizing Wholesale Distribution

The SalesE & NAW Partnership, a collaboration between our Virginia Beach tech innovator, SalesE, and the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), has just been announced. SalesE is already making waves with its AI-driven workflow automation, streamlining processes like quote generation and dynamic pricing for manufacturers and distributors. Now, through the SalesE & NAW Partnership, SalesE gains access to a network of over 30,000 employers across the U.S., including many in Hampton Roads. NAW, a powerhouse representing the $8.2 trillion wholesale distribution industry, offers SalesE a platform to connect with industry leaders, share insights, and drive innovation in our local ecosystem through the SalesE & NAW Partnership.

Legislative Affairs & Regulatory Compliance

Navigate the political and regulatory landscape with confidence and precision.

EVRIFA: A Transformational Tool for Regional Economic Development

One of the most forward-thinking strategies highlighted during the panel was the development and use of the Eastern Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority (EVRIFA)—a powerful model for cross-jurisdictional collaboration.

Doug Smith, President and CEO of Hampton Roads Alliance, explained the concept with clarity and enthusiasm: “EVRIFA allows a locality with limited land or resources to invest in a project in another jurisdiction—and share in the revenues. It’s a game-changer.”

This structure is especially important in regions like Hampton Roads, where localities vary widely in their capacity for industrial development. For example, a landlocked city like Williamsburg can now invest in large-scale projects in areas like York County and benefit from the long-term economic returns. The Kings Creek Commerce Park is one such example, where over 30% of the project’s investment came from multiple Peninsula communities.

This model not only encourages regional unity—it unlocks collective potential. Instead of municipalities competing, EVRIFA aligns their goals, spreads risk, and builds mutual reward. Smith emphasized that this tool could become the most important regional economic vehicle in the next 5–10 years.

Preston Wilhelm echoed this sentiment by noting how cities like Chesapeake could leverage this type of regional cooperation to develop large-scale projects like the 4,000-acre Coastal Virginia Commerce Park—an ambitious megasite initiative that could house future OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and international players in energy, logistics, or defense manufacturing.

Panelists also acknowledged the administrative and political patience required to make EVRIFA work. It requires long-term vision, political will, and interlocal trust, but its benefits of shared prosperity, smarter land use, and coordinated investment are invaluable.

This regional cooperation is already supporting major initiatives and is poised to become a foundational tool in Hampton Roads’ future development. It's about more than one city's win—it's about creating scalable success for the entire Hampton Roads region.

Regional Industrial Facilities Act, Virginia

§ 15.2-6400 - § 15.2-6416

The Eastern Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority or EVRIFA, was formed in accordance with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Regional Industrial Facilities Act for the purpose of providing a regional authority mechanism to enhance the economic base of the member localities on a cooperative basis. Spearheaded by the Peninsula communities, the Authority was formally recognized by the Secretary of the Commonwealth on December 18, 2019.

As of December 2022, Hampton Roads Alliance serves as the managing entity for the Authority.

www.easternvirginiaauthority.com

Where’s WilSav

Hope to see you at these upcoming events

The ABCs of the SCA | July 2

Catch up with government contracts attorney, Kevin Cosgrove during his presentation to the VSRA Human Resources Committee about the Service Contract Act.

VSRA Contracts Committee Fall Seminar Series | October 8 & 22; November 5 & 19

Save-the-dates for the Virginia Ship Repair Association's (VSRA) Contracts Committee seminar series focused on issues confronting small businesses. This series is for both members and non-members, and is held in the VSRA office on the 5^th floor of the World Trade Center in Norfolk.

Willcox Savage 2025 Employment Law Update | October 14

Save-the-date for this annual half-day seminar hosted by the employment law practice group focused on the latest changes impacting employers in Virginia. Eligible attendees receive SHRM and/or HRCI credits.

Email us to receive the registration links.

Willcox Savage Business Solutions Series

Our lunch and learn speaker series delivering timely and operation-critical information to businesses operating in Hampton Roads

Economic Development: Regional Resources Roundtable | June 10th

A panel of local economic development professionals brilliantly highlighted key resources available to support business growth, with a focus on targeted industries, how professional services can provide critical support throughout the business lifecycle, and expansion programs, grant opportunities, and infrastructure support are offered for companies already operating in the region. They also addressed local workforce needs and opportunities to build a strong talent pipeline.

Watch Recording

Virginia Employment Law Update: What You Need to Know Now | Aug 12th

In this fast-paced, one-hour session, legal experts deliver a high-impact overview of the evolving landscape of employment law in Virginia—offering essential takeaways for HR professionals, business leaders, and legal advisors. The presentation spotlights both state and federal developments, providing actionable insights for compliance and strategic planning, including:

A look at the first five years of the Virginia Human Rights Act and Virginia Whistleblower Protection Law
Recent EEOC guidance on DEI programs
This year’s changes in Virginia employment law (including an amendment to Virginia’s statute on non-competes and the Governor’s veto of a paid leave statute)
Increased protections for service members under USERRA
Recent EEOC guidance on harassment claims
Recent federal case law affecting ADA workplace accommodation claims and FLSA exemption claims
Recent EEOC guidance on wearable technology

Email us to register

Comprehensive Checklist for Setting up an International Business in the U.S.

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