Business
Development
The Alliance set a 25-year record for projects in 2023 with 13 supported announcements.
The Alliance exceeded its announcement goal of 8 by 63% and its job goal of 1,309 by 118%.
Year-End Metrics
$625M
CAPITAL
INVESMENT
2,860
JOBS
CREATED
140,000+
MILES
TRAVELED
40+
SITE LOCATION
CONSULTANTS HOSTED
Supported Announcements
In this year's annual report, we are proud to highlight a series of significant announcements and developments that underscore our region's dynamic growth and economic vitality. These developments over the past year have significantly contributed to the economic landscape of the Hampton Roads region. From digital innovations and green energy to shipping, offshore wind technology, and industrial expansion, these companies not only brought financial growth but also created thousands of jobs, solidifying our region's reputation as a hub for diverse and dynamic economic activity.
Events + Actitivies
In 2023, the Hampton Roads Alliance demonstrated a strong commitment to regional economic development through active participation in various travel events and conferences, both domestically and internationally. A key aspect of the Alliance strategy involved attending six overseas missions to Europe, in collaboration with its international consulting partners, and one to Canada. These missions were integral in fostering international business relationships and understanding global best practices, particularly in workforce development and industry-specific advancements. Additionally, the Alliance’s business development team actively participated in several events organized by PM&P and Select USA. The goal of these activities was to showcase Hampton Roads as an attractive destination for business and investment and to engage with potential companies and industry leaders.
The Alliance also attended the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Conference in Orlando alongside our partners from the Port of Virginia. Furthermore, the team embarked on a productive mission to Toronto, focusing on industries relevant to the Alliance’s targets, and visited Chicago to engage with potential prospects, enhancing the visibility and promoting the attractiveness of Hampton Roads as an investment hub. Continuing its commitment to the energy sector, particularly offshore wind, the Alliance also participated in a variety of conferences such as the Business Network for Offshore Wind International Partnering Forum in Baltimore.
Through these varied and strategic travel events and conferences, the Hampton Roads Alliance effectively promoted regional economic development, fostering both domestic and international relationships and opportunities. Combined, the Alliance team traveled more than 144,000 miles in 2023 to market the region and meet with prospective companies. Take a look at just a few of the trips and conference that were conducted.
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In May the Alliance attended SelctUSA alongside the city of Suffolk. The team engaged in productive meetings with various companies and startups across sectors like Food and Beverage, advanced manufacturing, alternative energy, EVTOL, and professional services. A noteworthy aspect of this trip was the interaction with the lead generation team at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). This engagement allowed Hampton Roads to strengthen the relationships with its state partners, fostering a collaborative environment for future projects and initiatives.
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The Alliance attended the Sweets & Snacks Expo, held in May in Chicago, along with the cities Suffolkhand Newport News. The is a prominent event for confectionery and snack industry professionals, and the team's participation was focused on engaging with numerous vendors and sampling a diverse range of sweets and snacks. Additionally, the Alliance's representatives met with two site consultants in the Chicagoland area. These meetings were instrumental for making new connections and learning about the key factors in the site selection process, vital for attracting prospective clients.
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In March, Cliff Copley and Ben White from the City of Chesapeake participated in a weeklong mission to the Netherlands and Belgium. Cliff and Ben engaged with companies specializing in wind energy solutions, advanced material manufacturing, safety training, maritime engineering, greenhouse technologies, and innovative food processing equipment. In Belgium, the focus shifted to enterprises at the forefront of renewable energy and industry development, as well as marine data management.
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During the first week of December, Amy Parkhurst traveled to Denmark with local partners Bob Sharak (Norfolk) and Sherry Barnette (Chesapeake.) The last outreach mission of the year was coordinated by PM&P, the Alliance’s European lead generation consultant. The group traveled over 1,000 km within Denmark to meet with 6 companies and 2 industry trade groups over 5 days. Three of the companies were in the offshore wind industry, while the others specialized in logistics, unmanned systems, and medical devices. While these companies represent diverse industries, the assets of Hampton Roads makes it well positioned to accommodate their needs.
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Matt Smith, Alliance Director of Energy and Emerging Technology, led a delegation of Virginia stakeholders at the annual American Clean Power Offshore WINDPOWER Conference, held in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 16-17. Partners attending the conference with the Alliance included representatives from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Port of Virginia, Hampton Roads Workforce Council, and Cities of Virginia Beach and Portsmouth. The team focused on maintaining longstanding relationships with companies leading industry development in the U.S. and making new connections, all with the goal of bringing investment to Virginia and continuing to build Hampton Roads into one of the hubs of the offshore wind industry on the East Coast.
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Matt also attended the Virginia Clean Energy Summit in Richmond. The Summit is a vital forum for presenting innovative clean energy technologies, policies, and business practices that are driving the transformation of Virginia's energy sector. Speakers and panelists at the Summit addressed critical issues such as siting and permitting energy projects, ensuring affordability and reliability during the transition to cleaner energy sources, and exploring emerging technologies like advanced nuclear power. Gaining an understanding of important issues like these are essential to the energy and economic future of Hampton Roads, and core to our strategy of seeking economic opportunity in energy transition while ensuring we have the reliable energy, we need to power economic growth.
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In May the Alliance, alongside representatives from Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, visited with multiple manufacturers considering expansions into the United States. Thee prospective companies focused in areas from automotive manufacturing to sustainability and uncrewed systems, all of which are areas where Hampton Roads has particular strengths. The team also attended an international battery show as part of the Alliance’s energy supply chain development program. The German business community in Hampton Roads is strong, and it is hoped that several of these prospects will decide to begin their American adventure in the region.
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The Alliance’s Jared Chalk, along with Chuck Rigney and Paige Fox from Virginia Beach Economic Development, participated in the Business Network for Offshore Wind Global Gateway Brazil Delegation and the Brazil WindPower Conference. They also partnered on a single location promotion event at the US Embassy in coordination with Select USA. The partnership with Select USA paid significant dividends, and the Alliance plans to do more events with them in 2024.
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The Alliance joined Governor Youngkin and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) at the semi-annual Paris Air Show in June. There, the Alliance met with Hampton Roads companies exhibiting and a variety of prospective companies. The region’s focus on this industry heightened afterwards, as the Alliance secured a GO Virginia grant to study aviation, aerospace, and uncrewed systems development.
In addition to traveling, the Alliance played host to several major events throughout the year that allowed us to showcase the power of the region.
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Virginia Consultants Forum + SEDC Annual Meeting
In May, our region hosted the highly anticipated Virginia Consultants Forum at the Marriott in Virginia Beach. This event brought together nearly 20 national site selectors, our local economic development community, the Port of Virginia, and was created by our partners at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), and the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA). The forum provided an invaluable platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaborative discussions aimed at driving economic growth in our region.
In August, the Southeastern Economic Development Council held its annual conference in Williamsburg, marking the first time in decades that the Commonwealth had hosted the 17 state-spanning organization. Hundreds of economic developers, site selectors, and industry representatives attended and learned about how Virginia is leading the way in a variety of innovative economic development initiatives. Prior to the conference the Alliance also hosted a suite at Colonial Downs for the Arlington Million Race, where the Governor along with State and Regional leadership gathered for an evening of camaraderie.
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Finland Embassy Visit
In June, the Alliance partnered with the Embassy of Finland and Business Finland to bring a delegation of Finnish maritime, shipbuilding, and port technology companies to Hampton Roads to learn more about investment and partnership opportunities in the region.
The Finnish maritime sector provides solutions and services encompassing the entire industry, from naval architecture and construction to offshore wind, to smart and green port technology. Finnish companies are also globally known for integrating innovative solutions and cutting-edge technology into the maritime sector. They specialize in using digitalization, automation, autonomy, and sustainable solutions that allow ship owners, shipyards, and port operators to optimize operations in an efficient and sustainable manner. These characteristics make Finnish companies valuable potential partners and investors into the maritime economy of Hampton Roads.
The Alliance was honored to host the delegation in Hampton Roads and introduce them to some of our partners that make up one of the world’s most significant maritime economies. We look forward to continuing our relationships with the companies in the delegation and hope to help them find a home in Hampton Roads to add to our rich maritime ecosystem.
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Secretary of Commerce and Trade Regional Visit
The Alliance, working with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), coordinated a detailed two-day tour of Hampton Roads for Virginia's Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Caren Merrick. Leading the effort was Cliff Copley from the Alliance, joined by Chelsea Jenkins, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade, and VEDP's Abby Wescott and Nicole Riley.
The tour showcased the diversity and innovation of Hampton Roads. The first day included visits to Coresix Precision Glass Fabrication, the Brooks Crossing Innovation and Opportunity Center, and Smithfield Foods, each representing key sectors like precision manufacturing, educational innovation, and food production. The second day featured tours of Alpolic, a part of Mitsubishi Chemical, and Sumitomo Drive Technologies, highlighting the region's advancements in materials and technology.
Significantly, the tour connected with companies like Smithfield Foods and Sumitomo Drive Technologies, crucial players in the region's economic landscape and potential future collaborators with the Alliance. These interactions were vital in highlighting the importance of such visits, fostering deeper relationships, and enhancing understanding of the region's economic impact. The tour demonstrated the Alliance's commitment to promoting Hampton Roads as a hub of diverse industries and opportunities, emphasizing the region's role in contributing to the economic vitality of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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VEDP Business Ready Sites
In March, the Alliance coordinated a visit for VEDP staff to discuss the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP) and its potential impact across various localities in the Hampton Roads region. The visit spanned three days and visited multiple localities, concluding with a word group discussion with several Alliance localities about the program's potential. Throughout this visit, VEDP engaged with various regional stakeholders, facilitating a dialogue on how the VBRSP could be leveraged to enhance site development and promote economic opportunities across the Hampton Roads area.
In September, the Alliance coordinated a significant tour for John Loftus from VEDP's Buildings and Sites Manager, Research Division to identify and assess potential industrial sites of at least 100 acres across Hampton Roads for the VBRSP. The comprehensive three-day itinerary involved visiting a variety of sites to evaluate their suitability for industrial development of sites in ranging from 50 to 100 acres. This included assessing infrastructure, accessibility, and potential for economic growth. Representatives from local economic development offices joined the tour, providing insights and context for each location.
This endeavor underscored the Alliance's commitment to promoting regional development and characterizing sites to enhance Virginia’s competitive business environment. The tour played a crucial role in fostering partnerships and highlighting the region's readiness for industrial and economic opportunities, aligning with the strategic goals of the VBRSP and the Alliance.
“All of the Above” Energy Strategy
Access to reliable and affordable energy is critical to supporting and sustaining economic growth in Hampton Roads. Reflecting the importance of energy to the economic future of Hampton Roads, the Alliance has developed a comprehensive energy-related economic development program, and become our region’s leader when it comes to planning for Hampton Roads’ energy future.
In 2022, with input from a variety of stakeholders, the Alliance developed the Hampton Roads Long-Term Energy Roadmap. The Roadmap provides a comprehensive action plan to enhance the region’s energy security while ensuring a reliable and affordable energy supply to sustain long-term economic growth in the region. The plan also emphasizes the importance of capitalizing on economic development opportunities related to energy transition that is occurring in the Commonwealth, across the nation, and the world.
Importantly, the Roadmap aligns with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s 2022 Energy Plan and its “all of the above” approach that will allow Virginia to be flexible in responding to constantly evolving energy demands while adhering to principles of reliability, affordability, innovation, competition, and environmental stewardship.
Focusing on the principle of innovation, we have used our experience developing a nationally well-regarded offshore wind supply chain development program and applied lessons learned to economic development opportunities related to other emerging technologies. The Alliance has been a key partner to Virginia Tech through the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center by supporting the development of their Newport News-based Hydrogen Tech Center (HTC) as well as Virginia Tech’s participation in the pursuit of $1 billion in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Hydorgen Hub program. Virginia Tech, with regional support from the Alliance, was part of coalition of more than 60 leading organizations across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia that developed the Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub (MAHH) proposal.
The MAHH aimed to accelerate the adoption of clean hydrogen energy solutions through an integrated network of production, storage, transportation, and end-use technologies and solutions, providing a managed hydrogen ecosystem intended to deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits to the three-state region. Ultimately, MAHH was not awarded DOE funding, but much of the work planned for the region is ongoing though the HTC.
The Alliance has also become a key partner to the Commonwealth in its goal to be a leader in advanced nuclear technology and manufacturing. Virginia’s business case for advanced nuclear is strong, and no region has greater opportunity in this sector than Hampton Roads with our strong manufacturing base and the immense wealth of technical knowledge from our position as the primary home of the Navy’s nuclear fleet. In addition to Newport News Shipbuilding and Naval Station Norfolk, Hampton Roads is home to federal research laboratories and military installations active in nuclear R&D and the use of nuclear technology, including NASA Langley, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and Jefferson Lab. Where we have a strong value proposition, the Alliance will continue to be involved in “what’s next” when it comes emerging energy technology.
Specifically to guide implementation of the Roadmap, but also to provide general guidance on our energy initiatives, the Alliance convened a Regional Energy Steering Committee. The committee includes leaders from local government, regional organizations, state government, academia, utility companies, and industry. The committee met monthly for most of 2023 to address topics like natural gas supply and infrastructure, electricity supply and demand, emerging technologies, federal facilities, and most importantly energy education and communications strategy. The Steering Committee realized it most important role will be preparing Hampton Roads leaders with a baseline of knowledge about the regional energy system and future outlook so they can be informed and effective decision-makers on energy issues and advocate for projects critical to the energy and economic future of Hampton Roads.
The aerospace and aviation sector in Hampton Roads encompasses a diverse array of assets, including seven airports, with Newport News/Williamsburg International and Norfolk International standing out as commercial service hubs. These airports play a pivotal role in facilitating travel for residents, businesses, and tourists. Complementing these are several general aviation airports catering to private jets and other aviation needs.
With over 40 businesses operating in the region, the aviation industry is a robust contributor to Hampton Roads' economic landscape, employing approximately 2,800 individuals, predominantly engaged in airport operations. This not only underscores the sector's integral role in supporting ancillary industries but also highlights its direct impact on local employment.
In recent years, Hampton Roads has witnessed the emergence of new players in the aviation domain. The establishment and rapid expansion of DroneUp in recent years is indicative of the industry's ongoing growth within the region. Beyond business enterprises, the region benefits from its association with aviation-related research and education institutions. The NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton is dedicated to revolutionary advancements in aviation, while the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Virginia Beach offers quality academic programs for aspiring aviation professionals. Hampton University's Department of Aviation, accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI), stands out as a notable educational institution, providing students with a direct pathway to employment with major airlines such as Delta and United.
In addition to its civilian aviation sector, Hampton Roads also houses significant military assets, including Naval Stations Norfolk and Oceana, as well as Joint Base Langley-Eustis. These installations not only contribute to national defense but also foster collaboration between civilian and military entities, which helps to promote regional innovation and technology transfer. The integration of civilian and military aviation underscores the region's pivotal role in both national security and economic advancement. This unique combination of airport infrastructure, military and business activity, and educational initiatives positions Hampton Roads as a key player in the evolving aerospace and aviation sector.
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT:
Aviation & Aerospace
SITE SPOTLIGHT:
Fairwinds Landing
In 2023, the Hampton Roads Alliance was pleased to celebrate the announcement of several new projects at Fairwinds Landing in Norfolk which will transform the underutilized Lambert’s Point Dock cargo terminal into a hub for offshore wind energy, shipbuilding, and maritime logistics. Two major projects, Dominion Energy’s Monitoring and Coordination Center (MCC) for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project and naval shipbuilding operations by Huntington Ingall Industries and Fairlead Integrated, have committed to leasing portions of the site, bringing with them hundreds of new jobs and $140 million in capital investment.
The MCC will provide a 31,167-square-foot operations and maintenance center for CVOW, where personnel can continuously monitor maritime activities, analyze performance, provide strategic planning, and ensure regulatory compliance. The MCC also will include a 17,280-square-foot warehouse to store spare parts and 950 linear feet of pier space available to berth offshore wind project support and crew vessels.
In November, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has begun production at a campus in Norfolk at Fairwinds Landing. NNS shipbuilders will construct steel panels that will eventually make up units of Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN 80). In addition to Enterprise (CVN 80) panel production work, the site is freeing up critical storage space at the main shipyard in Newport News to support other programs, including nuclear-powered submarine production. The campus in Norfolk also allows for future growth opportunities.
Also in November, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration announced $39,265,000 in federal funding for the City of Norfolk Economic Development Authority (Norfolk EDA) to assist in transforming the marine terminal at Fairwinds Landing into offshore wind logistics facility. The PIDP funding will assist in financing the renovation of aging waterfront infrastructure at Fairwinds Landing.
About the projects at Fairwinds Landing Norfolk mayor Kenneth Alexander said, “Norfolk's steadfast commitment to sustainability is strengthened through strategic funding and partnerships. The $39.2 million Port Infrastructure Development Program grant propels our Lambert's Point revitalization efforts, reinforces our collaboration with Fairwinds Landing, and sparks new, eco-conscious innovative projects, ensuring a cleaner and greener future for our region and the Commonwealth”.
TRAVEL SPOTLIGHT: Workforce Readiness Leadership Delegation
In July 2023, the Hampton Roads Alliance, in partnership with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council and Virginia Beach Economic Development, executed a regional workforce mission trip to Germany to explore and understand the German dual-track Vocational Education and Training (VET) program. The delegation — consisting of more than 20 regional leaders including presidents of various educational institutions, mayors, and business executives from Hampton Roads — visited with educational, business, and political entities in Stuttgart to gain insights into Germany’s highly successful workforce development pipeline. Germany’s VET program is renowned for supporting approximately 1.3 million vocational apprentices annually and plays a crucial role in talent development, especially within the country’s high-tech industries. The delegation spent a week in Baden-Württemberg, exploring apprenticeship sites and engaging with educational and business leaders.
The visit included stops at vocational schools like Gewerbliche Schulen in Donaueschingen and Oscar-Walcker-Shul in Ludwigsburg, as well as corporate headquarters of manufacturers, business development offices, and apprenticeship sites associated with the VET program. The delegation interviewed students, administrators, company leaders, and instructors to identify best practices that could be adapted to the Hampton Roads education ecosystem.
A notable feature of the German VET program is the active involvement of industry partners as investors in the educational model. This includes using manufacturers' production facilities as training sites, contributions to curriculum development, oversight by industry trainers, and provision of training equipment aligned with workplace technologies. The delegation also visited the corporate offices of Stihl and IMS:Gear, gaining insights into how these companies, which operate in both Hampton Roads and southern Germany, rely on apprentices within the local education system to meet workforce demands.
The delegation has continued to convene to work on next steps focusing on collaboration between high schools, universities, community colleges, and technical colleges in Hampton Roads to incorporate key attributes of the VET program. Shawn Avery, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, expressed optimism about the political and financial support for educational pathways in Virginia and emphasized the need for efficient collaboration among educational, political, and business leaders in Hampton Roads.
Informed by the mission findings, the delegation plans to engage with Hampton Roads and Virginia legislators and business leaders to share elements of the VET model that could be effective locally. The goal is to construct a partnership emphasizing economic growth, maximizing development opportunities, and creating a skilled workforce aligned with the needs of key industries. The program, coordinated by the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, will prioritize socio-economic equity, cultural sensitivity, and historical awareness for all students, drawing inspiration from the German educational model.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Hampton Roads municipalities, educational institutions, and business organizations has been executed to articulate the goals of this collaborative effort. The leaders will continue to assemble regularly, inviting legislators and business leaders to strengthen the technical education coalition, ultimately enhancing workforce development pathways in Southeastern Virginia.
Business Retention & Expansion
For the past year, business retention and expansion experts from throughout the region have been convening quarterly to discuss best practices in retaining existing companies in the Hampton Roads region and to share their experiences within this specific discipline of economic development. The Hampton Roads Regional BRE Professionals Roundtable (the BRE Roundtable) is made up of local practitioners from each economic development office throughout the region. Chaired by Lloyd Jackson of Chesapeake Economic Development and coordinated by the Alliance, the purpose of the BRE Roundtable is two-fold: to provide a platform for regional knowledge sharing for BRE professionals from each local government in Hampton Roads; and, for the Alliance to gather feedback to shape the strategy for regional business retention and expansion efforts.
Roundtable discussion topics throughout the year ranged from business services and data resources available through the Alliance to brainstorming collaborative BRE activities and even developing processes for coordinating the expansion or relocation of existing businesses with regional implications.
REGIONAL PROTOCOLS
The Roundtable, after discussion and feedback from local economic development leadership, developed the Hampton Roads Regional Business Retention & Expansion Working Protocols. The Roundtable acknowledged that, while lines of communication between communities regarding businesses seeking to relocate has been a regular occurrence, standardized written procedures were unavailable. With new professionals entering the career field, having standard operating procedures is imperative.
The BRE Roundtable created a working protocol that follows the spirit and framework of the Master Agreement for Regional Economic Development in addressing expansion opportunities for existing companies. The six pillars of the protocols speak to the Alliance becoming engaged when multiple localities have an interest in the subject expansion project and serving as an honest broker on behalf of the involved public-sector partners. The protocols recommend a notification process between localities or through the Alliance. The goal for the BRE Roundtable protocols is to retain existing businesses in their host community and, ultimately, the Hampton Roads region.
Looking toward year two of the BRE Roundtable, the group plans to promote the new protocols by incorporating the framework into the Alliance’s new economic developers stakeholder orientation. In addition, the team is in the process of planning a collaborative, regional BRE endeavor that will leverage partnerships with higher education institutions to be launched in 2024. The group will also work to bring regional and state leaders to select existing business visits alongside local partners.
SERVICE-BASED INCENTIVES
New to the Hampton Roads Alliance in 2023 was the offering of service-based incentives to new and expanding companies. The Alliance has long provided support to companies selecting the region to establish new operations. Much of that support had been related to the initial project milestones such as selecting a site or building and regional introductions to potential professional service providers. With the increasing engagement with the existing business community, the Alliance developed a comprehensive offering of services which provide aftercare support to companies investing in the Hampton Roads and creating new job opportunities.
In collaboration with our local economic development partner and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Alliance contributes to the comprehensive proposal offer to the company with business aftercare services, regional business-to-business connections, customized marketing solutions including announcement event management, business intelligence, employee relocation advisement, and membership to the Alliance. Alliance leadership carefully curated a customizable suite of services that can be offered to expanding companies qualifying for the Commonwealth’s Virginia Jobs Investment Program. In addition to the services offered, additional support can be developed to meet the specific requests of expanding businesses to enhance the business case for company growth. For example, expanding companies with interests in the offshore wind industry are offered membership to the Virginia Offshore Wind Landing and the Hampton Roads Women of Offshore Wind group.
With the support of the service-based incentives, specifically forgone revenue of complimentary Alliance membership, has proven to successfully complement incentive packages to prospective companies. Bauer Compressors, Fugro, and Katoen Natie Norfolk are all examples of expansion projects supported, in part, by service-based incentives from the Alliance, representing $64.6 million and 138 new jobs announced.