The commonwealth of Virginia is entering a period of unprecedented opportunity in defense, maritime, energy and advanced manufacturing. Bipartisan federal initiatives are investing to rebuild the U.S. defense and commercial maritime industrial base. Federal spending spanning both the Biden and Trump administrations is accelerating under the National Defense Industrial Strategy, the Maritime Action Plan and the AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom and United States) partnership — all of which is likely to lead to major private-public sector investments to enhance defense manufacturing capabilities here and in partnership with our key allies. The administration’s recent announcement to establish the Trump class of battleships for the U.S. Navy further underscores the prioritization of our national security through the revitalization of the nation’s shipbuilding and ship repair industry.
Virginia is well positioned for this potential opportunity: Hampton Roads is the nation’s maritime and naval center of gravity, Northern Virginia is home to the world’s top defense contractors and integrators, companies in the defense supply chain are in every corner of the state, and the commonwealth has one of the strongest statewide workforce development systems in the country. Yet these assets are not aligned today under a unified Virginia statewide strategy. Going forward into the next four years without a focused strategy is not an option. It would leave on the table opportunities for significant investments in business growth and creation of thousands of new good-paying jobs in the commonwealth.
No surprise, states across the country are organizing and aligning to capture these benefits. New partnerships to enhance shipbuilding, develop new talent pipelines, and invest in defense production are seeing millions of dollars of state support, particularly from states along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. To compete and win, Virginia needs a coordinated strategy that aligns state agencies, regional organizations and the private sector focused on enhancing the full defense and maritime ecosystem. The commonwealth’s assets must be aligned now as a unified strategy in order to capture and deliver results for the nation.
To that end, the incoming Spanberger administration has an unprecedented opportunity to position Virginia’s unmatched defense and maritime assets. A newly created “Statewide Defense & Maritime Industrial Base Strategy” would signal and demonstrate Virginia’s leadership and contributions toward defense and national security. Such an initiative presents an unparalleled opportunity for Virginia to work with the federal government on something that benefits Virginia’s economy and makes our country stronger and safer. The new economic development strategic plan required during the first year of a new administration should prioritize this sector, but even more immediate Day One efforts through the creation of a gubernatorial strike force or commission could position the commonwealth to build on its existing leadership position.
Regions across Virginia are already invested heavily in this space. Hampton Roads has major investments in maritime and defense production and workforce. It is the center of the maritime economy with the Port of Virginia, HII-Newport News Shipbuilding, more than 350 companies supporting multiple repair yards, and a concentration of military bases. The region has already invested tens of millions of state and federal dollars to grow its Regional Maritime Training System. Across the state, programs such as GO Virginia have encouraged further regional collaboration in this space. The fact that Virginia is home of the headquarters of most of the defense companies is also an incredible asset.
For Hampton Roads, we as a region stand ready. Aligning these numerous assets, the Hampton Roads Alliance recently released the “Regional Investment Playbook — Strengths Defined. Strategies Aligned.” It provides a ready-to-execute plan for the region focused on defense and maritime, energy, aerospace and logistics. And we — as regional business and economic development organizations — collaborate, creating beneficial partnerships with a clear purpose: to move the region forward.
The assets exist. The need exists. The opportunity is emerging. And the moment is now. Virginia must act with urgency and coordination to secure the commonwealth’s place in the new industrial era.
Doug Smith is president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance. Bryan Stephens is president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Chamber. Nancy Grden is president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable. Rick Dwyer is executive director of the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance. Shawn Avery is president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council. David White is executive director of the Virginia Maritime Association. Bob McKenna is president and CEO of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber. John Polowczyk is president of the Virginia Ship Repair Association.
