HAMPTON — During his first State of the City address, Hampton Mayor Jimmy Gray announced HII plans to invest $28 million in a light manufacturing advanced technology facility for Newport News Shipbuilding.
The company is converting its 150,000-square-foot building off Commander Shepard Boulevard to accelerate production of aircraft carriers and submarines with almost 300 jobs, Gray said on Wednesday.
“We’re in constant communication with HII,” Leonard Sledge, Hampton’s chief officer for community and economic development, said after Gray’s speech. “And this bubbled up.”
Xavier Beale, Newport News Shipbuilding vice president of human resources, called the city a key partner in a video played during the mayor’s speech: “Most of our work is done in Newport News, but … about 50 of our suppliers operate within the city, and I’m excited to say that more than 5,000 of our shipbuilders call Hampton home. This facility … will house some of the most technologically advanced additive manufacturing machines known to mankind.” Additive manufacturing is also known as 3D printing.
Gray also announced Hampton-based Advex Corp. plans to invest $6 million and create 15 jobs to expand its advanced manufacturing capacity in Langley Research and Development Park to support the Navy’s shipbuilding programs.
The mayor’s “Level Up”-themed speech, in partnership with the Virginia Peninsula Chamber at the Hampton Roads Convention Center, highlighted the city’s economic growth, resilience, housing, quality of life and engagement efforts.
“As I look back on my first year as your mayor, I can tell you that I have seen Hampton from a new perspective … and it’s given me an even deeper appreciation for the people and places that make our city so uniquely special,” Gray said. “I have definitely leveled up my civic pride.”
During his first State of the City address, Hampton Mayor Jimmy Gray announced HII plans to invest $28 million in a light manufacturing advanced technology facility for Newport News Shipbuilding. (Courtesy/City of Hampton)
Economic growth and education
The Hampton Roads Playbook, launched by the Hampton Roads Alliance, positions Hampton and the region as an epicenter for defense, energy, aerospace and logistics, Gray said. One of the main drivers for that is the $3.8 billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion project.
Hampton City Schools and local colleges and universities are developing the talent needed to fuel economic growth, Gray said. City Manager Mary Bunting and Hampton City Schools Superintendent Raymond Haynes shared that the class of 2025 had a 98.88% on-time graduation rate, according to preliminary data, and a 0.2% dropout rate.
Hampton University earned the Carnegie R-2 research distinction, Gray said, and is working toward R-1 status. HU also launched its Workforce Development Enterprise, which focuses on vocational skills, community health, culinary arts and entrepreneurship. To address the statewide nursing shortage, Gray said that Bryant & Stratton College recently was accredited for two nursing programs on its Hampton campus.
“No bright mind gets left behind,” he said.
Gray also applauded the use of existing structures in economic development and said he looks forward to the ribbon-cutting for NASA Langley’s Flight Dynamics Research Facility. He mentioned many new businesses and restaurants that opened this year, and highlighted nonprofit Versability’s new tech program to train and certify individuals with disabilities to work in fields such as welding and information technology.
Resiliency
Projects will continue into next year to help Hampton combat sea-level rise, Gray said. The Big Bethel Blueway is underway. When completed, it will reduce flooding by adding 2.6 million gallons of stormwater storage capacity, he said.
“The best part is, when that project is completed, it will be easy to replicate here in Hampton and in any other city that wants to follow our lead in dealing with stormwater issues,” Gray said.
Construction will begin in the spring on the living shoreline at Mill Point Park, and the North Armistead Avenue road-raising project continues. The city’s first “flagship coastal resiliency project,” Lake Hampton, was completed at the end of last year, Gray said, and transformed a retention pond into a stormwater facility. It also added more than a mile of shared-use path to Waterwalk Trail.
Housing
One challenge is to address the growing need for affordable housing, Gray said.
The city launched the Model Block Initiative in the fall. Hampton purchased four properties in the Fordham neighborhood to develop model homes. They will showcase “affordable and efficient work that can be easily replicated” by residents and builders, Gray said.
“We’re hoping that homeowners can get ideas to fix up older homes, and builders can use it to design new homes that will fit into the surrounding neighborhoods,” he said.
After the program, Gray said one of his 2026 initiatives is to work with Newport News in addressing homelessness across both cities.
Quality of life
There is an emphasis on mental and physical health in the city, Gray said.
The Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board partnered with Sentara CarePlex to launch a mobile crisis van that will be staffed by an EMS professional and a behavioral therapist. It will respond to 911 calls that don’t need a police response, Gray said.
Hampton University’s School of Pharmacy will open a facility on campus that will serve students, faculty, staff and the community.
LGBT Life Center in downtown Hampton also plans to open a pharmacy next year and offer primary care services, Gray said.
The city received funding assistance to establish neighborhood resource centers for police and members of the community. One off Rip Rap Road will open soon, Gray said.
A public safety station that opened at Buckroe Beach over the summer assisted hundreds of people with basic first aid, guidance and hydration, Gray said, and the former fire chief added he was proud to cut the ribbon for the new Wythe fire station this summer.
Engagement
Gray encouraged residents to continue to engage with the city. He will continue the “Your Say with Mayor Gray” listening sessions next year, and community engagement sessions regarding the city budget, resiliency projects and other institutions will be held.
“I have every confidence in our team here in Hampton, but we can’t do it without you,” Gray told about 800 attendees. “Let’s continue to level up together.”
