When it comes to defense, Hampton Roads is America’s Military Metro. Located in Southeastern Virginia, the region proudly hosts every major branch of the U.S. military and over 100,000 activeduty personnel. Annually, over 15,000 military retirees join the local workforce, bringing invaluable skills and experience.
Hampton Roads is home to both the world’s largest naval base, Naval Station Norfolk, embodying its rich military heritage and cutting-edge defense capabilities, and the nation’s oldest naval shipyard, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, solidifying a legacy of service and innovation. Further supporting its status as a top defense hub is the presence of Huntington Ingalls Industries, America’s sole aircraft carrier builder, and one of only two entities capable of constructing nuclear submarines. Combined, these facilities highlight the unique and critical role the region plays in national security.
With over one-third of the local economy dedicated to the defense sector, Hampton Roads provides a supportive environment and offers unparalleled opportunities for businesses looking to thrive in defense-related industries.
KEY COMPANIES + ASSETS
HAMPTON ROADS, VA
FEDERAL & STATE
DEFENSE ECOSYSTEM
Recognized as one of the strongest defense ecosystems in the country, Hampton Roads is home to 18 separate military installations, cementing the region’s status as a powerhouse for national security and military readiness. Working in conjunction with the military is a robust collection of defense-related businesses that enhance the region’s capabilities. All ten of top defense contractors in the U.S. have a presence in Hampton Roads, including the headquarters of Huntington Ingalls and ADS. In FY 2023, over $11 billion in contracts and grants were allocated to Hampton Roads companies. In total, the region has 330,000+ defenserelated jobs and more than one-third of the local economy is driven by the defense industry. Together, these pivotal institutions and skilled employees create a dynamic environment ripe for technological advancement and strategic partnerships. This unique combination not only strengthens the country’s national defense but supports the region’s economic vitality, making Hampton Roads an unparalleled leader in the defense, aerospace, and maritime sectors.
Located 2 ½ hours south of Washington D.C., Hampton Roads’ geographic location offers convenient access to countless federal agencies. The region itself is also home to several federal facilities that are focused on the nation’s wellbeing and security. Among those departments represented are:
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• United States Secret Service
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• U.S. Department of Energy
• U.S. Department of Justice
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Anchored by the Hampton Roads region, the Commonwealth of Virginia has one of the largest concentration of military assets on the planet, to include the Pentagon. Virginia is ranked #1 Best State for Business, #1 in Cybersecurity, #1 in Business Education, and has the highest number of tech industry workers in the nation. Virginia also boasts the most federal contract dollars spent with 41 of the top 100 federal contractors headquartered in the state.
TALENT & WORKFORCE
Hampton Roads is home to a workforce of nearly 900,000. 71%
Replenished annually by over 15,000+ highly trained and disciplined personnel who exit the military in the region
12
Colleges
of Virginia’s exiting military are located in Hampton Roads.
& Universities
Trade & Technical Institutions 21 Students 128,000+
25,000+ 92%
Population with a High School Diploma or Higher
Annual Degrees
MILITARY
Hampton Roads proudly hosts one of the world’s largest concentrations of military power. The region has several specialized military installations, including Naval Station Norfolk, Fifth Coast Guard District, Joint Base LangleyEustis, Joint Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and Naval Air Station Oceana, which serves as the East Coast Master Jet Base. Hampton Roads also plays a key role on the international stage as the home of Allied Command Transformation, the only NATO headquarters in North America, and NATO Joint Force Command, both of which are critical support facilities and essential symbols of the Trans-Atlantic link.
#1 STATE FOR DOD SPENDING PER CAPITA
TOP STATE FOR VETERANS IN THE WORKFORCE
of working-age adults have a Bachelor’s degree or higher
CONNECTIVITY
Hampton Roads is a global trading powerhouse with the world’s largest and deepest natural harbor. The Port of Virginia is America’s most modern gateway and a significant economic force supporting jobs and commerce across Hampton Roads, Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic. Roll on-roll off facility is located in Newport News providing direct access for imports and exports to major markets around the world.
in infrastructure expansions through 2024 $1.4B
HOME TO 70+ SHIPS & 40 AIR SQUADRONS
100,000+ ACTIVE-DUTY PERSONNEL
Hampton Roads is strategically positioned to benefit from the AUKUS agreement, a trilateral alliance between the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, focused on enhancing IndoPacific security through advanced defense and technology cooperation. As the headquarters of Huntington Ingalls Industries, one of only two entities capable of constructing nuclear submarines, the region provides crucial manufacturing and technological expertise essential for AUKUS’s objectives. With robust military infrastructure, including diverse installations and a strong defense ecosystem, Hampton Roads is poised to support AUKUS’s ambitious goals. This includes bolstering naval capabilities and reinforcing global security commitments through enhanced shipbuilding.
TECHNOLOGY + INNOVATION
Located in Newport News, Jefferson Lab was recently selected by DOE’s Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) to establish a High Performance Data Facility Hub (HPDF) in partnership with Berkley Lab. The Hub is set to become the newest capability in high-performance computing provided through ASCR program. ASCR operates three high performance computing user facilities: the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and two Leadership Computing Facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory
NASA Langley Research Center and NASA Wallops Island Spaceport are also located in Hampton Roads, anchoring the region’s aerospace capabilities as the home of cutting-edge research and development.
In addition, Hampton Roads is home to several other nationally prominent technology assets including HII Unmanned Systems Center for Excellence, and Lockheed Martin Center for Innovation.
The Hampton Roads Alliance IDEA Lab is a space for co-working, meeting, getting started, or growing a business in Hampton Roads. Located in Norfolk, the IDEA Lab specializes in working with companies focused on Innovation, Defense, Energy, and Aerospace/Aviation. The newest member of the Lab is Quality Maritime Surveyors (QMS), an Australianbased leading provider of maritime non-destructive testing education and training.
Within the Lab you will also find the Virginia Offshore Wind Landing, a partnership between the Alliance, Virginia Department of Energy, and Old Dominion University’s OpenSeas Technology Innovation Hub, which is home to 20+ companies within the region’s newest emerging industry — offshore wind.
The Hampton Roads Alliance is dedicated to assisting you with your business investment or expansion needs across our 15 localities.
The decision to invest in a new or expanded operation is never taken lightly. Our goal is to match the business needs required for your company to be successful with the assets found in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Our objective is to facilitate the evaluation process and provide powerful tools that save you time and money as you seek to locate your new business operations in Hampton Roads. Connect with us today.
