HAMPTON, Va. - Governor Ralph Northam made an announcement in Hampton on Tuesday about a new Huntington Ingalls facility.
Huntington Ingalls Industries will create more than 250 new jobs by establishing an Unmanned Systems Center of Excellence in Hampton, Northam said.
HII is the nation’s largest military shipbuilding company and provides professional services to government and industry.
"Virginia is proud to be home to the largest military shipbuilder in the country,” said Governor Northam. “Huntington Ingalls Industries is a national leader in advanced manufacturing, and this investment is a powerful testament to Virginia’s workers and business environment. The company’s new unmanned systems facility in Hampton will support America’s national security and play a key role in strengthening our economic recovery as we continue working to rebound from this health crisis.”
Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for the project.
The Governor's announcement said the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with the City of Hampton and the Hampton Roads Alliance to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Northam approved a $1.5 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the City of Hampton with the project.
The Governor also approved a performance-based grant of $1.5 million from the Virginia Investment Performance program, an incentive that encourages capital investment by existing Virginia companies. Huntington Ingalls Industries is eligible to receive funding from the Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund, administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Support for Huntington Ingalls Industries’ job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a workforce initiative created by VEDP in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System, with funding support from the Northam administration and the Virginia General Assembly.
Launched in 2019, the program accelerates new facility start-ups through the direct delivery of recruitment and training services that are fully customized to a company’s unique products, processes, equipment, standards, and culture. All program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation.
“With the establishment of this Unmanned Systems Center of Excellence in Hampton, Huntington Ingalls Industries will have a new home where the company can continue its long, successful history of meeting the needs of customers worldwide,” said City of Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck. “Today’s announcement brings significant investment and great jobs, and on behalf of our City Council, I want to thank the company for their ongoing commitment to Hampton.”
Headquartered in Newport News, HII employs more than 42,000 people operating both domestically and internationally.
